Master of Science in Aquamedicine

The study programme in Aquamedicine (300 ECTS) is a five-year Integrated Master Degree Program (Master i Fiskehelse/Master of Science in Aquamedicine) providing in-depth knowledge in preventive health measures, diseases and disease treatment in cold-blooded aquatic animals. Aquamedicine Biologists (Fiskehelsebiologer) are trained to work independently on biological-based problem-solving covering fish health, the environment, production and technology. The Norwegian College of Fishery Science together with the University of Bergen established the Master of Science in Aquamedicine in 1989. There are presently around 100 qualified Aquamedicine biologists in Norway and abroad.

Main objectives
The main objective of this program is to give the graduate Aquamedicine biologist an in depth knowledge and skills in preventive aquamedicine, disease diagnostic and disease treatment on fish and other cold-blooded organisms. In Norway this education qualify to authorization as Aquamedicine biologist (Fiskehelsebiolog).

Admission requirements
In order to meet course criteria, students shall have an interest in animal health, biology and chemistry and have a science and mathematics background from senior high school or college. Prerequisites include subjects equivalent to 2MX/2MY/3MZ and 3MX/3MY/3BI/3FY/3KJ. Programme admittance is restricted to 10 students annually. All lectures are given in Norwegian. Application form: http://www.samordnaopptak.no

Qualification awarded
Upon completion of the program, students are awarded the government approved title Fiskehelsebiolog (Aquamedicine biologist) that is of equivalent rank to the title Veterinarian Specializing in Fish Health/Aquatic Animal Health.

Access to further studies
A Masters degree in Aquamedicine is equivalent to a Master of Natural Science degree and qualified to apply for admission to PhD programs at universities in Norway and internationally.

Professional prospects
The degree qualifies Aquamedicine biologist for a wide range of jobs within private and governmental operations, both nationally and internationally. Today, Aquamedicine biologists are employed by fish health services in the Norwegian aquaculture industry, in the pharmaceutical industries specialized in fish vaccines and medicine, fish feed manufacturers and consultancy services. Aquamedicine biologists also work as decision makers or researchers within public and private sectors. In addition, the professional qualifications gained by Aquamedicine biologists enable graduates to set up their own businesses and operations.

Student exchange programs
Students are encouraged to study one semester abroad as participants in one of the students exchange programs offered by the College. Master students in Aquamedicine are offered an opportunity to participate in a students exchange program in the 8th semester. For more information contact your student counselor.

Study conditions at campus
The Norwegian College of Fishery Science put great effort into making the social and academic conditions at the college favorable to our students. Students will meet many academic challenges, but also many social and cultural possibilities in a very active and international student milieu. Presently, more than 25 nationalities are represented. Not to mention that Tromsø is one of the great student-cities in Norway. The college is located central at the university campus in a new building equipped with the latest technology both in the laboratories and the lecture theatres. Our student will meet committed scientist at lectures, laboratories and field courses. Every student will have free excess to e-mail and inter-net. It has become common that lecturers also use virtual classrooms at inter-net (Class Fronter) to support and communicate with their students.

Program structure diagram

Sem 1	FIL-0700 Examen philosophicum	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	BIO-2508 Fish Farming I	BIO-2506 Introduction to Fish Biology	BIO-2300 Biochemistry
Sem 4	BIO-2305 General Physiology	BIO-2601 General Microbiology	Valg
Sem 5	BIO-2504 Fish Physiology	BIO-3609 BaBasic and comparative immunology	BIO-2604 Fish Diseases
Sem 6	BIO-2602 Fish Nutrition	MTE-2003 Aquaculture Technology	BIO-2605 Fish Pathology
Sem 7	FSK-2002 Fish Farming Laws	BIO-3519 Parasitology/Epidemiology	BIO-3602 Pharmacology
Sem 8	STA-0001 Applied statistics 1	Valg	Valg
Sem 9	BIO-3603 Clinical, HET-Evaluation	BIO-3604 Project Assignment
Sem 10	BIO-3956 Masters Thesis	BIO-3956 Masters Thesis	BIO-3956 Masters Thesis

Table: Most of the subjects are in 10 ECTS, except from BIO-1001 Cell and Molecular Biology and BIO-3604 Project Assignment which are in 20 ECTS. The Master thesis are in 30 ECTS (one semester workload).

Program coordinator
The Norwegian College of Fishery Science at the University of Tromsø has the academic and administrative responsibility for this program.

Study plan and courses
Aquamedicine is comprised by 25 individual courses covering introductory and advanced courses in: mathematics, chemistry, biology, microbiology, ecology, fish diseases, fish pathology, physiology, law, technology etc. Each course has work load equivalent of 10 or 20 ECTS except the master thesis that are on 30 ECTS. One semester full time study program is estimated to 30 ECTS. In addition it is relevant to choose optional subjects like BIO-3503 Animals in Research Course – Fish and Decapods Crustaceans (5 ECTS) and BIO-3607 Food Safety (10 ECTS).

Program progression
The first semester is comprised by introductory courses in philosophy and science theory, mathematics and chemistry. From the second semester the program fully focus on biological topics aimed to give students a biological understanding of aquatic organisms biology and requirements. The program continues to give the students an understanding of aquatic animal’s behavior, anatomy, physiology, reproduction, endocrinology, nutrition, and cell biological, biochemical, molecular and immuneological processes. The students will be given an in depth knowledge on the biology of pathogenic organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) and their interaction with host organisms.

The education in Aquamedicine will in particular focus on teaching epidemiology, infectious diseases, pathology, histo-pathology, principals of diagnosis and pharmacology to prepare Aquamedicine biologist to become good practicing of Aquamedicine on cold-blooded aquatic animals. Students will be thought law and law practice related to fisheries, aquaculture, food production, environmental protection, animal rights and disease management in Norway and internationally.

Integrated in the program and in designated courses students will be thought animal ethics and welfare, good house-boundary practice and veterinarian work codex.

Students are also thought basic understanding and principals of hygiene in planning and operation of aquacultural plants, production planning, aquaculture technology and environmental technology. Students are advised to use the opportunity to take elective courses during the 4th and 8th semester in subjects like economy, organization and food science to broaden their professional background.

During the final year of the program students have to practice as Aquamedicine biologists and to complete a scientific master degree thesis.