Aquaculture: Sustainable Aquaculture

Programme Objectives

The Institute of Aquaculture aims to provide appropriate and flexible learning opportunities through which you can acquire and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to establish, manage and appraise aquaculture enterprises and development projects in the UK, Europe and overseas.

The programme and its related degree outcomes are a natural career progression for most candidates and invaluable for others wishing to enter the aquaculture field. They also provide training for students who wish to pursue a PhD, especially in aquaculture, fisheries and aquatic resources exploitation and management.

Entrance Requirements

Consideration will be given to graduates with an Honours degree in a relevant subject from a university or college recognised by the University of Stirling or an equivalent academic or professional qualification. Consideration will also be given to graduates with an Ordinary or General degree in a relevant subject from a university recognised by the University of Stirling, or an equivalent qualification, and extensive experience in aquaculture and/or fisheries

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band) or TOEFL: Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 21.

Funding

Support for the Postgraduate Diploma element of the programme is available from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for eligible students on a strict limited quota basis. Students qualifying for these quota awards will be nominated to SAAS by Aquaculture. For further details, visit: www.saas.org.uk. To be eligible for SAAS awards applicants must be normally resident in Scotland or non-British EU residents. In addition, a single bursary of around £3,500 is normally awarded each year by the Fishmongers Society of Great Britain for the MSc Sustainable Aquaculture programme.

All eligible applicants are considered for these awards in June/July preceding entry on the basis of academic merit.

Modes of Study

Full-time study or discontinuous study by block release.

Programme Start Date

September

(or discontinuous study by selection of individual modules)

Structure and Content

The full Master’s programme for each degree outcome is divided into four taught modules, containing 12 subject areas or topics, and a single research project module. The overall programme is divided into three parts:

Foundation Modules (September to December)
There are two compulsory modules consisting of six topics of study, taken consecutively, giving instruction in basic aquaculture concepts and skills. Successful completion of both foundation modules will qualify you for a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Aquaculture. Students select a particular named degree outcome at the end of the foundation modules. Topics of study within the advanced modules are then chosen appropriately.

The foundation modules topics of study are:

Module 1

• Aquatic Animal Biology and Health
• Aquatic Animals in the Environment
• Aquatic Animal Nutrition and Food Safety
  

Module 2

• Aquatic Animal Reproduction and Genetics
• Aquatic Animal Production Systems
• Aquaculture in Practice
  

Advanced Modules (January to April)
You must choose two advanced modules which cover six from 15 topics of study offered (choices are dependent on the final degree outcome to be awarded). Successful completion of the advanced modules, subsequent to the foundation modules, will qualify the student for a Postgraduate Diploma in a selected named degree outcome.

Research Project Module (May to August)
The Research Project module is completed in a subject area which complements the chosen programme of advanced study or your named degree outcome. These projects can be lab-based, field-based, or involve a desk study analysis/report. Successful completion of the module, subsequent to foundation and advanced modules, will qualify the student for an MSc in a selected degree outcome.

For more information on the structure and content of Sustainable Aquaculture and related degree programmes, visit the Aquaculture website: www.aquaculture.stir.ac.uk/training

Delivery and Assessment

In addition to lectures, tutorials and seminars, a number of assignments must be completed. Laboratory-based practical sessions and fieldwork are also important elements of the programme. Taught module assessment is continuous, involving short tests, seminars, essays, practical reports, critical and computational analysis, field assignments and set project reports. The research project module is examined through written dissertation and seminar presentations by both examiners and the external examiner.

Timetable

Contact the School for information on your timetable and reading lists.

RAE Rating

The Institute of Aquaculture, with a rating of 2.45 in the latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), was graded the top aquaculture department in the UK.

Career Opportunities

This programme has run for over 30 years and has trained over 600 students from all over the world. The comprehensive nature of the programme and our close links with UK and overseas industry allows good potential for employment in any aspect of commercial aquaculture. Approximately 30 percent of our students follow a direct route into industry. Additionally, the programme is an excellent grounding for research and further education, often building on the dissertation, and about 30 percent of graduates choose this route. Links with government departments throughout the world allow many of our graduates to establish careers in aquaculture development and aquaculture management in developing countries.