Master’s Programme in Aquaculture

ECTS: 120
Full time/Part time: Full time
Location: Bodø
Course Coordinator: Programme Board
Email: terje.solberg@hibo.no
Commencement: Spring 2005. Henceforth every autumn.
Language: English

Objective
The main aim of the Master’s programme is to provide the students with scientific and practical skills crucial for the development of the aquaculture industry. Furthermore, the programme should contribute to developing their attitudes and skills, which not only provide them with a solid knowledge base, but also strengthen their ethical consciousness, develop their respect and positive interest in the experience and scientific point of view and encourage their ability to interact with other people. The programme will have two major areas of study: Mariculture and Seafood Quality:

Mariculture
For students specializing in mariculture, the main aim is to provide them with scientific and practical skills in farming aquatic animals, covering aspects including environmental needs, anatomy, physiology, reproduction and nutrition of the species in question, and developing an understanding of all evolutionary phases in the life cycle of the farmed species.  They will also learn to master techniques for maintaining good fish health both in intensive and extensive farming systems, and get familiar with the laws and regulations that control fish farming. 

Seafood quality
For students specializing in seafood quality, the main aim is to provide them with scientific and practical skills in the quality and production of seafood, comprising quality assessments of farmed and wild captured food fish, shells, sea urchins and shellfish exposed to different methods of catching, production and storage.  The main focus will be to optimize the conditions for farmed fish production with regard to quality, meaning the quality demands of the consumers. 

Target Groups
This Master's programme is mainly designed for students that have completed a Bachelor's Programme in Fisheries/Aquaculture/Seafood Quality. Other relevant groups could be college graduates in closely related biological sciences or in food technology.

Admission Requirements
Prerequisite for admission is 3 years of study (Bachelor or equivalent) with certain requirements concerning relevant courses. Students may in exceptional cases be admitted if they lack a maximum of 20 ECTS credits of a bachelor's degree, but only 10 credits of the specialisation courses listed below. This exception only goes for students on a bachelor's programme or equivalent degree, and the bachelor's degree must be completed within the first year of the master's programme. To be admitted to the master's programme, the average mark must be C or better.

Description
The Master’s programme builds on the Bachelor’s degree that is required for admission to the programme. The programme’s duration is 2 years (120 ECTS credits), and comprises degree courses (normally 60 credits) and an independent scientific master’s thesis (normally 60 credits). It is also possible to write a 30 credit project, in which case the master degree courses will be expanded to 90 credits. In the project students are expected to demonstrate the use of theory, models and methods as tools in the planning and completing of a project.

Plan for the Master’s Programme (with a 60 credit master’s thesis):

Assessment and Evaluation
A wide range of assessment methods is to be used, which are closely connected to the learning methods of the different courses. An internal examiner will normally assess the courses that can be chosen by both bachelor and master students, whereas both an internal and an external examiner will assess master courses. The grading scale is A-F, with A being the highest pass grade, and E the lowest pass grade.  The Master's programme in Aquaculture is evaluated in the same way as all other courses and programmes at Bodø University College.

Professional and Occupational Prospects
This Master's Degree provides a scientific specialization in aquaculture. The programme qualifies students for junior positions at a research institution or in the industry; production adviser for the nutrition industry or at a fish farm; quality manager or product developer within the farming, processing or food industries. Also relevant are positions in public administration, especially as an executive officer or - if combined with a one year pedagogical education - as a teacher in upper secondary schools.

Further Education
For those aiming for higher education in the field, a degree in aquaculture makes one eligible to apply for a Ph.D. programme either at Bodø University College (program to be announced within the next few years) or at another university in Norway or abroad.

Contact Information:
Bodø University College
Department of Fisheries and Natural Sciences
NO 8049 BODØ
Fax: +47 75 51 74 57
Tel  + 47 75 51 72 00
Internet: http://www.afn.hibo.no/