Aquatic Veterinary Studies MSc/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate

www.aquaculture.stir.ac.uk

Food from aquatic systems is essential for much of the world’s population - but wild catches are declining. Fortunately aquaculture (farming of aquatic animals) is an alternative source of high quality nutrition and employment. Aquaculture has been very successful but diseases can be damaging. The Institute of Aquaculture has over 30 years’ experience of investigating and controlling fish and shrimp diseases worldwide, which it utilises to improve your problem-solving skills, equipping you to make a real contribution to the sustainability of aquaculture.

Programme Objectives

The object of the programme is to train you in the wide range of disciplines and skills necessary for the investigation, prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases in all cultured species. You will gain an understanding of the biology, husbandry and environment of farmed aquatic species, in addition to specialist expertise in aquatic animal diseases. It is also intended to prepare students who plan to pursue a PhD in the area of aquatic animal health or disease.

Entrance Requirements

Candidates require a veterinary degree from a recognised university.

English Language Requirements

Students from countries whose first language is not English must show competence in the English language e.g. IELTS (minimum 5.5) or TOEFL (minimum 527/197/71 Paper/Computer/Internet).

Funding

For information on possible sources of funding, visit: www.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/finance

Modes of Study

Full-time or discontinuous study.

Programme Start Date

The programme is offered in alternate years only and the next programme for which applications can be accepted commences in September 2010. It is also possible to attend the programme on a block-release (discontinuous) basis over a period not exceeding five academic years.

Programme Director

Dr Trevor Telfer

Institute of Aquaculture

Structure and Content

The full Master’s programme for each degree outcome is divided into 13 modules: six foundation modules; six advanced modules; and a single Research Project module. The overall programme is divided into three parts:

Foundation Modules

The Foundation modules are taught between September and December. There are six compulsory modules, taken consecutively, giving instruction in basic aquaculture concepts and skills. Successful completion of all six foundation modules will qualify you for a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Aquaculture. The foundation modules are:

• Aquatic Animal Biology and Health
• Aquatic Animals in the Environment
• Aquatic Animal Nutrition and Food Safety
• Aquatic Animal Reproduction and Genetics
• Aquatic Animal Production Systems
• Aquaculture in Practice – Study Tour

Advanced Modules

The advanced modules of taught units and workshops are given between December and March. You will complete six compulsory modules. Successful completion of the advanced modules subsequent to the foundation modules will qualify you for a Postgraduate Diploma in Aquatic Veterinary Studies. The Advanced modules are:

• Systemic Pathology and Histopathology
• Microbial Diseases
• Parasitic Diseases
• Immunology
• Epidemiology and Health Control
• Ecotoxicology

Research Project Module

The research project module is normally completed between March and July. The research projects are of very high quality and a high proportion result in peer-reviewed publications. Successful completion of the module, subsequent to foundation and advanced modules, will qualify the student for an MSc in Aquatic Veterinary Studies.

Delivery and Assessment

The programme is delivered though a variety of formats including lectures, practical classes, seminars, field visits and directed study. Assessment consists of a number of assignments in a range of formats. The research project is graded on activities undertaken during the project, the thesis and a presentation you make in front of the class, supervisors and examiners.

Timetable

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

Career Opportunities

The programme has run for over 30 years and has trained over 200 students from all over the world. It equips you with expertise applicable to a wide range of potential careers. Our graduates generally find employment in their area of interest, and the world employment market in the area of aquatic animal health remains buoyant.

The programme provides a natural career progression for most candidates and a conversion course for others wishing to enter the field. It also provides training for those who wish to pursue a PhD, especially in aquaculture, aquatic health, fisheries and aquatic resources management.

Over the last four intakes, in combination with the Aquatic Pathobiology degree, 32 percent of graduates have gone on to a PhD or further research, 23 percent have taken employment as aquatic health consultants, 21 percent work in government fisheries departments, 17 percent are university lecturers and the remainder are managers of farms or aquaria or have other types of employment.

Research Opportunities

There are five research groups with many active links between them:

• Health: Research within the Fish Health Group encompasses many aspects of the identification, prevention and control of aquatic diseases. Fish welfare in relation to aquaculture is now a major area of research, with emphasis on the role of water quality and the development of welfare indicators.
• Genetics and Reproduction: Research in the Group contributes to improving aquaculture productivity worldwide. Molecular genetics are used to investigate the metabolism of fish.
• Environment: Environmental research focuses on the environmental effects of aquaculture on ecosystem sustainability. Ecotoxicology research concerns the development of ecologically relevant techniques for chemical hazard and risk assessment in aquatic ecosystems and molecular biomarkers to measure pollutant effects.
• Nutrition and Aquaculture: Nutritional biochemistry research centres on the metabolism and role of lipids in the nutrition and development of fish and their quality as food for humans. The use of environmentally sustainable substitutes for fishmeal in aquaculture diets and the use of indigenous low cost materials for tropical species are important research topics.
• Systems and Development:The group has a holistic, multidisciplinary focus for optimised aquatic resource management. With a strong international perspective, livelihoods, business management, marketing, GIS and engineering are just part of our toolkit to address production and development problems, new species, environments or methodologies, social and economic systems, value and choice, markets and resources and formulation of strategic perspectives to provide a range of policy and planning analysis.

For information on the Institute’s research activity, visit: www.aquaculture.stir.ac.uk/research

Research Proposal

Applicants applying for an advertised project are not required to provide a research proposal. Applicants who have secured their own funding should provide an indication of their subject areas of interest to support their application.

RAE Rating

The UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed the quality of the work being done by our researchers. 85% of the University of Stirling’s research has been judged to be internationally excellent and internationally recognised, with the top 10% of that judged to be world class.

View the full outcomes of Stirling’s RAE performance

Use the online enquiry service to find out more or to request a prospectus.

If you are ready to apply you can fill out an online application form now.