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Bachelor of Science (Aquaculture)

To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science.

The Aquaculture Specialisation is offered as part of the Bachelor of Science and requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The Specialisation is offered by the School of Biological Sciences, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Specialisations have different admission requirements to other programs of study available in the Bachelor of Science. In order to undertake a Specialisation students must be admitted to the Specialisation program. The name of the Specialisation will appear on the transcript and parchment.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

The course aims to provide students with a broad-based foundation in science together with specialisation in aquaculture.

This course enables graduates to develop practical and theoretical skills for a career in the aquaculture industry.

Specifically, the graduates will gain a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

understand and apply relevant scientific principles and work effectively, cooperatively and productively within a team
critically analyse and evaluate data in aquaculture disciplines and creatively solve practical problems
retrieve and present scientific information, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
understand the biology of aquaculture organisms and aquaculture principles and practices
gain knowledge in aquaculture nutrition, husbandry and water quality management
acquire skills and knowledge in aquaculture reproduction, hatchery management and applied genetics
build aquaculture infrastructure and solve engineering issues relevant to aquaculture ventures
diagnose and manage aquaculture diseases, and manage health and safety issues in aquaculture ventures
manage and operate an aquaculture business.

Learning outcomes

On completion of their degree, students will have developed a comprehensive and well-founded knowledge in aquaculture and a range of transferable professional skills.

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
design aquaculture systems and solve engineering issues in aquaculture
employ knowledge of health and safety issues in aquaculture ventures
employ scientific techniques, practical skills and business management strategies to improve aquatic resource management
understand and interpret critical scientific and ethical issues in aquaculture
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
appreciate the need for continuing professional development.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Aquaculture) specialisation a student must complete 108 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study detailed below.

No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 108 units for the degree. Topics designated 'any year' or with no year level specified are regarded as First Year level topics.

Elective topics to complete 108 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Students who have completed 72 units or more with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following rule, may exit with the Diploma of Applied Science:

at least 27 units from the First Year science topics offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering
at least 18 units from Second or Third Year science topics offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Except where there is an approved double specialisation (see Bachelor of Science program of study) the same upper level (2xxx or above) topic cannot be counted twice. For example an upper level topic that is counted towards a specialisation may not also be counted towards a minor.

Specialisation - Aquaculture - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

BIOL1101 Evolution of Biological Diversity (4.5 units)
BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life (4.5 units)
BIOL1201 Introduction to Aquaculture# (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of First Year Science topics
Plus 9 units of elective topics*^ from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Plus one of:

CHEM1101 Chemistry 1A# (4.5 units)
CHEM1201 Introduction to Chemistry A# (4.5 units)

Specialisation - Aquaculture - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

BIOL2701 Experimental Design and Statistics for Biology (4.5 units)
BIOL2702 Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity (4.5 units)
BIOL2711 Ecology (4.5 units)
BIOL2712 Animal Diversity (4.5 units)
BIOL2731 Aquaculture Nutrition and Water Quality (4.5 units)
BIOL2732 Aquaculture Systems and Technology (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of elective topics*^ from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Aquaculture - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

BIOL2722 Disease and Immunology (4.5 units)
BIOL3711 Plant and Algal Diversity (4.5 units)
BIOL3731 Aquaculture Reproduction (4.5 units)
BIOL3732 Aquaculture Health and Product Quality (4.5 units)
BUSN2026 Entrepreneurship and Small Business (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of elective topics*^ from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Plus one of:

BIOL3702 Marine and Freshwater Biology (4.5 units)
BIOL3712 Integrative Physiology of Animals and Plants (4.5 units)
BUSN3026 Business Planning for New Ventures (4.5 units)

#These topics are cognate studies topics which must be taken to complete the specialisation.

*Students may choose to undertake a Bachelor of Science Minor as part of the elective component of their degree subject to meeting course/topic requirements.

^Specialisation - Aquaculture - Recommended Electives

While students are able to select elective units from anywhere across the University, these are recommended electives.

BIOL1112 Biology and Society** (4.5 units)
BIOL1301 Introduction to Marine Biology** (4.5 units)
BIOL2742 Marine Ecology** (4.5 units)
BIOL3700 Biology Research Project (4.5 units)
BIOL3701 Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology (4.5 units)
BIOL3751 Marine Mammals, Birds and Reptiles (4.5 units)
BIOL3752 Fisheries Biology, Science and Management** (4.5 units)
CHEM1102 Chemistry 1B** (4.5 units)
EASC1101 Earth and Environmental Sciences (4.5 units)
EASC1102 Marine Sciences (4.5 units)
EASC2701 Coasts and Oceans (4.5 units)
ENVR1101 Environmental Science (4.5 units)
ENVS2721 Environmental Decision Making Tools (4.5 units)
PHYS1701 Physics for the Life Sciences A (4.5 units)
STAT1412 Data Analysis Laboratory** (4.5 units)

**Highly Recommended Electives

Honours

Admission to an 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. Refer to Bachelor of Science (Aquaculture) (Honours).

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Aquaculture) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with the:

CRICOS Provider: 00114A | Updated: 25 Oct, 2011

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