Objectives
The course aims to produce graduates who will have the practical and theoretical skills for a career in the aquaculture industry. It aims to produce graduates with: * a sound understanding of the biology of aquaculture organisms; * a sound understanding of reproduction, genetics, nutrition and water quality issues relevant to aquaculture; * an understanding of critical scientific issues in aquaculture; * knowledge of construction, engineering and infrastructure issues relevant to aquaculture ventures; * knowledge and experience of practical skills, quantitative methods, and management strategies and techniques in commercial aquaculture ventures; * knowledge of health and safety issues in aquaculture ventures; * a sound understanding and experience of scientific methodologies; * well developed interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. Learning outcomes On completion of their degree, students will have developed a comprehensive and well-founded knowledge in their science discipline and a range of transferable professional skills. Subject knowledge Graduates of the course are expected to be able to: * demonstrate a sound understanding of the biology of aquaculture organisms and of breeding, genetics, nutrition and water quality issues relevant to aquaculture; * understand and interpret critical scientific issues in aquaculture; * employ scientific techniques, practical skills and management strategies to improve aquatic resource management; * employ knowledge of health and safety issues in aquaculture ventures. Transferable professional skills Graduates of the course are expected to be able to: * employ scientific methodologies such as experimental design, quantitative skills, and the critical analysis of data; * communicate and present information clearly and fluently in both written and spoken forms; * interact effectively as part of a team in order to work towards a common outcome; * work and learn independently; * reason critically and logically and make independent judgements; * engage effectively with information and communication technologies; * demonstrate research skills appropriate for further study and employment; and * appreciate the need for continuing professional development.
Course description
The Bachelor of Technology (Aquaculture) is the only course of its kind in South Australia and has the backing of industry through the South Australian Fishing Industry Council.
The focus is on combining a strong background in the natural sciences with an understanding of health and safety issues, practical and management issues, and business and communication skills.
One period of work experience at commercial aquaculture ventures helps to reinforce the information learned in lectures and practical sessions. Much of the practical work is carried out in our purpose-built aquarium systems at Flinders.
The course was established to provide you with the right combination of skills needed to be a part of the next phase of aquaculture's growth or to make an important contribution to aquatic resource management through a variety of career paths.
What is Aquaculture?
Aquaculture is applied science at the most practical level - and is more than just fish farming. Aquaculture includes the production of molluscs (including oysters, abalone, mussels and scallops) and crustaceans (shrimps, prawns, freshwater and marine crayfish), and even aquatic plants such as seaweed.
Aquaculture is not just a matter of growing fish and selling them, it is a complex industry requiring scientific and business skills.
Why study Aquaculture at Flinders?
* Students have access to sophisticated aquaculture facilities on campus in Adelaide, including 6 specially designed indoor laboratories that enable the culture of algae, zoo-plankton, fish, crustacean and mollusc at controlled temperature and light levels; and more than 100 aquaria are fitted with recirculating systems and 18 10,000-litre outdoor tanks are available to strengthen students' practical skills.
* We have a large team of marine biologists, aquaculturists and oceanographers undertaking world-class research on current issues in marine science.
* We are major partners in both the CRCs (Cooperative Research Centre) for Sustainable Finfish Aquaculture and the Australian Seafood.
* Our scientists are leading research in three areas of the Australian Seafood CRC's program and are involved with two major projects related to the farming of southern bluefin tuna.
* We are lead partners in the Marine Innovation SA initiative and the State Government provided $6.6 million to expand our Lincoln Marine Science Centre in Port Lincoln.
Combined degree options
Combine with Duration
Bachelor of Innovation and Enterprise (Science and Technology) 4 years
Refer to Science and Technology combined degrees for further information.
Career opportunities
What can I do with my Bachelor of Technology (Aquaculture)?
Study a language
Flinders also offers all students the opportunity to major in a language in conjunction with any undergraduate course. The Diploma in Language is designed to provide students with competence in a chosen language that adds greater portability to their qualifications. You will complete a total of 1 extra year of study and graduate with both your chosen degree and the Diploma in Language. You can apply for this at time of enrolment.
The Bachelor of Technology (Aquaculture) requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time) and the honours program an additional year (or the equivalent part-time). The course is offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Enrolment in the honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the school/department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study.
PROGRAM OF STUDY [February, 2009]
To qualify for the Bachelor of Technology (Aquaculture), a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
Except with the permission of the Faculty Board, students may not enrol in Second Year topics until they have completed 18 units of First Year topics and may not enrol in Third Year topics until they have completed all First Year topics.
First Year
36 units comprising:
AQUA1211
Professional Skills for Aquaculturists
4.5
BIOL1102
Molecular Basis of Life
4.5
BIOL1101
Evolution of Biological Diversity
4.5
BIOL1201
Introduction to Aquaculture
4.5
CHEM1201
Introduction to Chemistry A, OR
4.5
CHEM1101
Chemistry 1A
4.5
Electives
13.5
Second Year
36 units comprising:
AQUA2002
Aquaculture Technology and Production Systems
6
AQUA2131
Aquaculture Practicum
3
BIOL2121
Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity
6
BIOL2162
Functional Biology and Experimental Design
6
BIOL2341
Animal Disease and Defence, or
3
BIOL2142
Disease and Immunology
6
Electives (when selecting BIOL2341 Animal Disease and Defence), OR
12
Electives (when selecting BIOL2142 Disease and Immunology)
9
Third Year
36 units comprising:
AQUA3002
Aquaculture 3: Seed Supply and Health Management
6
BIOL3005
Extended Research Project in Biology, OR
6
BIOL3003
Biological Research Project A, AND
3
BIOL3004
Biological Research Project B
3
BUSN2006
Enterprise Management
6
Electives
18
SUGGESTED ELECTIVES
While students are able to select elective units from anywhere across the University, these are suggested electives.
First Year
BIOL1112
Biology and Society
4.5
EASC1101
Earth and Environment 1
4.5
ENVS1701
Environmental Studies
4.5
STAT1412
Data Analysis Laboratory*
4.5
CPES1102
Science and Society*
4.5
EASC1102
Marine Sciences 1
4.5
CPES1202
Physics for the Life Sciences B
4.5
CHEM1202
Introduction to Chemistry B, OR
4.5
CHEM1102
Chemistry 1B
4.5
*Highly recommended electives.
Second Year
BIOL2112
Aquatic Life Histories
3
BIOL2161
Plant and Algal Biology: From Environment to Biotechnology
6
BIOL2171
Behaviour and Ecology
6
BIOL2172
Animal Diversity
6
BIOL2232
Foundations in Microbiology
6
BIOL2271
Marine and Terrestrial Animal Diversity
3
BIOL2272
Marine Biology and Ecology
3
BIOL2330
Basic Microbiology
3
BIOL2424
Physiological Systems
3
CPES2131
Coasts and Oceans
6
ENVH2002
Health Aspects of Water Quality
3
ENVS2704
Environmental Systems
6
STAT2304
Statistics for Biology
3
Third Year
AQUA3918
Fisheries Science*
3
BIOL2122
Comparative Physiology
6
BIOL3101
Marine Ecological Processes
6
BIOL3102
Marine Vertebrates*
6
BIOL3151
Plant Ecology and Evolution
6
BIOL3152
Conservation and Restoration*
6
ENVS3708
Coastal Studies
6
ENVS3722
Environmental Impact Assessment
6
*Highly recommended electives.
HONOURS PROGRAM
A student who has completed all the requirements of the Bachelor of Technology (Aquaculture), or another qualification which the Faculty Board agrees is equivalent, may be accepted as a candidate for the honours degree providing a sufficiently high standard has been achieved in fulfilling the requirements for the bachelors degree.
To qualify for the honours degree, a student must complete satisfactorily 36 units of study in an approved program.
36 units comprising:
AQUA7001 Aquaculture Honours Research Project (24 units). Students should enrol in a combination of sub-topics chosen from the following, ensuring that they enrol in 24 units overall.
AQUA7001A
Aquaculture Honours Research Project (6/24 units), Part 1
6
AQUA7001F
Aquaculture Honours Research Project (6/24 units), Part 2
6
AQUA7001G
Aquaculture Honours Research Project (6/24 units), Part 3
6
AQUA7001H
Aquaculture Honours Research Project (6/24 units), Part 4
6
AQUA7001B
Aquaculture Honours Research Project (9/24 units)
9
AQUA7001C
Aquaculture Honours Research Project (18/24 units)
18
AQUA7001D
Aquaculture Honours Research Project (12/24 units), Part 1
12
AQUA7001J
Aquaculture Honours Research Project (12/24 units), Part 2
12
AQUA7001E
Aquaculture Honours Research Project (15/24 units)
15
plus 12 units selected from the following:
BIOL7002
Biology Honours Research Proposal
3
BIOL7003
Biology Honours Literature Review
3
BIOL7004
Scientific Method and Data Presentation
3
BIOL7005
Critical Readings in Biology
3
or other topics approved by the honours assessment panel, appropriate to a student's program.
