Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Aquaculture

The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Aquaculture is a three-year study programme aimed at Norway’s most important growth industry – fish farming and the farming of aquatic organisms. The study programme offers a thorough introduction in biology and qualifications in technology subjects, Law of the Sea and economy. After a Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Aquaculture you will be qualified for further studies at Master’s Degree level.

Professional Prospects

The aim of the study programme is to provide students with knowledge in the field of aquaculture, which will make them qualified for work in the fish farming industry or public administration. The candidates compete over many positions of employment within commercial fish farming, industrial production of feed and equipment, manufacture and sales, trade organisations, education, public administration, and research and development institutions.

Qualification awarded
When all the exams in the study programme are passed, the student will achieve the academic title Bachelor of Marine Science in Aquaculture.

Study Conditions on Campus
As a student in Aquaculture at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NFH), you will meet many academic challenges, but also many social and cultural possibilities. Everything will be arranged in order for you to be successful in your studies. At the lectures, you will meet committed lecturers. Self-tuition may be carried out in the reading rooms or in the computer lab. Free access to a personal e-mail account and web surfing is a matter of course for all students. The educational web portal Class Fronter is used increasingly in the teaching. Using this web portal, you will be able to communicate with your fellow students and class lecturers at any time.

Admission Requirements
The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Aquaculture is an open study programme. Accordingly, all applicants who meet the admission requirements will be accepted in the programme. Requirements: Higher Education Entrance Qualifications from upper secondary school including in-depth studies in Mathematics 2MX/2MN/3MZ + 3MX/3MY/3KJ/3FY/3BI
Application form: http://www.samordnaopptak.no


Programme Coordination
The Norwegian College of Fishery Science at the University of Tromsø has the academic and administrative responsibility for the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Aquaculture. Professor Helge K. Johnsen is the co-ordinator for the study programme. Contact: Senior executive officer Stig Sandberg, ph. +47 77 64 60 12

Study Programme Description
The Bachelor's Degree programme in Aquaculture will provide students with basic knowledge of the farming of fish and other aquatic organisms. In the study programme, there is emphasis on the biology and production technology requirements which form the fundament for the medically sound production of aquatic organisms in captivity, especially with respect to the introduction of “new” species in industrial farming. The Bachelor's Degree programme consists of 17 different courses in biology and important subsidiary subjects such as mathematics, chemistry, and technology courses. All courses comprise 10 credits, except BIO-1001 Cell and Molecular Biology, which comprises 20 credits. Full-time study requires completed and passed examinations equal to at least 30 credits each semester.

Sem 1	FIL-0700 Examen philosopicum	MAT-0001 Calculus in Applications	KJE-1001 Introduction to Chemistry and the Chemistry of Biology
Sem 2	BIO-1001 Cell and Molecular Biology		BIO-1501 Aquatic Ecology
Sem 3	BED-0001 Basic Business Administration	BIO-2506 Introduction to fish biology	BIO-2508 Aquaculture I
Sem 4	BIO-2305 General Physiology	Elective Course	Elective Course
Sem 5	BIO-2504 Fish Physiology	Elective Course	FSK-2002 Ocean Ranching Law
Sem 6	MTE-2003 Aquaculture Technology	BIO-2602 Fish Nutrition	BIO-2509 Aquaculture II

The table above shows the study plan leading to the Bachelor’s Degree in Aquaculture (1st – 6th semester). All courses comprise 10 credits, except BIO-1001, Cell and Molecular Biology, which comprises 20 credits. Closer description of course content and lecture plans may be found in the University of Tromsø course catalogue.

Study Programme Objectives
The aim of the Bachelor's Degree programme is to provide students with knowledge in the field of aquaculture, which will make them qualified for work in the fish farming industry or public administration.


Study Programme Progression
In the first semester, you will take the following courses: Exam philosophicum, Calculus in Applications, and Introduction to Chemistry and the Chemistry of Biology. These courses contain important course components which will be required in the biology courses as well as the technology courses. In the second semester, you will take the course Cell and Molecular Biology, which comprises 20 credits. This course consists of the following elements: Cell Biology, Genetics, Micro Biology and Biochemistry. You will in addition take the course Aquatic Ecology, which provides a good overview of life in the sea, the physical environment, and the most important principles of ecology. In the second year of the study programme, you will be trained in Economics, Physiology and other courses in Biology. In this year, you will also have the opportunity to select courses or subjects of special interest to you. In the third and final year of study, you will have lectures on technology and the Law of the Sea. You will in addition write and submit a semester assignment (under academic supervision) on a topic of special interest within aquaculture.

Student Exchange Programmes
Students are encouraged to study one semester abroad during the Bachelor's Degree programme period, as participants in one of the student exchange programmes offered by the College. The Norwegian College of Fishery Science and the University of Tromsø participate in a number of foreign exchange programmes. Students are encouraged to plan their study abroad in the 5th or 6th semester of the study programme. Examples of countries with which we have mutual exchange programmes include Turkey, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United States. More information on student exchange programmes may be obtained from the Student Administration Office at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science.

Teaching Methods and Forms of Examination
The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and supervision. For some courses, laboratory course participation and fieldwork usually resulting in a written report will be required. Further information on teaching methods and forms of examination will be described under each course entry (see the University course catalogue): http://uit.no/studier


Further Study Progression
A Bachelor’s Degree in Biology provides the basic requirements for progressing to the Master’s Degree Study Programme in Aquaculture. In order to be considered for entry into the Master’s Degree Programme in Aquaculture, an average grade of C or better is required (this is described more closely in Further Requirements for the Master’s Degree at The Norwegian College of Fishery Science).

Student Transfer

• From Bodø University College to the Norwegian College of Fishery ScienceStudents with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aquaculture from Bodø University College may apply for admission in the Master’s Degree Programme in Aquaculture at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science. It is however required that students from Bodø University College take exams in the courses BED-0001 Basic Business Administration (10 credits), MAT-0001 Calculus in Applications, and possibly FSK-2002 Ocean Ranching Law before entering the Master’s Degree Programme.
• From the Norwegian College to Bodø University College
  Students with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aquaculture from the Norwegian College of Fishery Science may also apply for admission in the Master’s Degree Programme in Aquaculture at Bodø University College.