Undergraduate Study
Course Information
study aquaculture and graduate with a university degree
The Institute of Aquaculture was ranked top in Aquaculture with 90% of the research output rated as ‘internationally recognised’ in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2008.
This innovative programme, completely revised for 2009, will train you in all subjects appropriate to global aquaculture. Aquaculture – or aquatic agriculture – is much more than ‘fish farming’ and includes culture of species such as prawns, shrimps, mussels, oysters, crocodiles, turtles and algae. Aquaculture already produces more than half of all of the fish consumed globally.
The Institute of Aquaculture is the largest multi-disciplinary aquaculture department in the world, with 100 staff and 90 postgraduate students, and has a practical involvement in industry through its own fish farms, marine station and many commercial activities. There are especially strong links with research and development organisations worldwide.
BSc (Hons) Aquaculture
UCAS Code C164Entrance Requirements
Year 1
Highers BBCC.
A-levels CCC or a combination of A2 and AS levels, VCE and VDA.
IB Diploma with a total of 26 points.
HNC or HND with Bs in Graded Units.
Access courses and other UK/EU and international qualifications are also welcomed.
Year 2
A-levels or Advanced Highers BBB, including Biology and one of Geography/Geology/Environmental Science.
Scottish HND in certain Applied Science subjects with Bs in Graded Units.
General Entrance Requirements apply.
International students can study our Undergraduate Certificate if they do not possess the necessary entrance requirements to be admitted directly to the first year of an undergraduate degree programme.
Required Subjects
One of Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics at Higher (B), A-level (C), IB Higher Level at 4 or equivalent.
Other qualifications not mentioned above must include science-based subjects.
Mathematics at Standard Grade (2), Intermediate 2 (C) or GCSE (C) or equivalent. Mathematics at Standard Grade (3) is considered on an individual basis.
English Standard Grade (2), Intermediate 2 (C), GCSE (C) or equivalent. Applicants with English Standard Grade (3) will also be considered, although alternative entry conditions may be made in this case.
Modes of Study
Full-time (3 modules per semester).
Part-time (1 or 2 modules per semester).
Study Abroad Opportunities
You can study abroad for a semester or a year
Related Degrees
Rating
Teaching provision in Aquaculture has been assessed by the Scottish Funding Council and rated as ‘highly satisfactory’. The Institute of Aquaculture was ranked top in Aquaculture with 90% of the research output rated as ‘internationally recognised’ in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2008.
| contact us > > > |
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Dr Kim Jauncey |
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Tel: + 44 (0) 1786 467892 |
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Email: kim.jauncey@stir.ac.uk |
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Web: www.aquaculture.stir.ac.uk |
Degree Programme
Semesters 1 - 3
During the first year and a half (Semesters 1 – 3) you will take core modules such as:
- Our Blue Planet
- Principles of the Aquatic Environment
- Cell Biology and Physiology
- Ecology and Evolution
- Practical Skills in the Natural Sciences
- Global Environmental Issues
Semesters 4 - 8
Honours students take the following core modules:
- Science of Diving
- Managing Aquatic Resources
- Issues in Marine Biology
- Biodiversity
- Genes and Evolution
- Animal Physiology
- Experimental Design and Statistical Techniques
- Aquaculture
- Pelagic and Benthic Processes
- Aquaculture Field Course
- Aquaculture Assignments
- Aquaculture Project (Final Year)
Specialised half modules in:
- Aquaculture Nutrition
- Aquaculture Production Environments
- Aquatic Diseases
- Aquaculture Genetics and Reproduction
Teaching and Assessment
The Aquaculture degree at Stirling is taught by one of the largest groupings of aquatic scientists in the world and shares a common foundation with the degree programme in Marine Biology. Teaching is delivered through formal lectures and practical classes, tutorials, seminars, computer-based learning, fieldwork and guided reading and research. Each semester module is assessed by a combination of coursework (usually 50 percent) and written examination.
Final degree classification is derived from your performance in Semesters 5 – 8 and does not involve a large final examination. Scuba diving, although not a compulsory part of the programme, is available both through the University’s Sub-Aqua Club and an option to gain an HSE Professional SCUBA diving qualification, or a PADI sports diving qualification, through articulation with a professional diving company.
In addition to day visits to nearby facilities, you will take part in a residential field course in which you will study aquaculture in practice. An independent research project is a major component of the final year and is often carried out in association with external bodies. Staff involved in the Aquaculture programme have considerable overseas research experience, contacts and current projects. Overseas projects in Semester 8 are encouraged and past projects have been located throughout Europe, North and South America, the Indian subcontinent, Asia, Oceania and Australasia.
Study Abroad Opportunities
An exchange programme is available to Aquaculture students in the third year. The partners include the Universities of Uppsala and Stockholm in Sweden and various institutions in the USA. Semester 8 projects frequently take place overseas, often in conjunction with our international research and development activities.
Career Opportunities
A graduate in Aquaculture is well equipped to enter both the expanding field of Aquaculture or related positions including: aquaculture development, aquaculture production, hatchery companies, fish farm companies, environmental impact assessment, environmental and conservation fields, pollution control, pharmaceutical companies, fisheries management and governmental regulatory departments. In addition, there is a wide range of more general graduate employment, such as with biotechnological companies, bioinformatics, health and clinical sciences, forensic science, medical sales and marketing, science journalism and teaching.
There is also the option to gain further advanced post-graduate training to Masters and PhD levels for those wishing to develop specialist skills or to pursue a research career.
Combined Honours Degrees
Aquaculture is not available as a combined degree. However, the option to take a degree in Marine Biology is retained until the end of third year.
