Sustainable Aquaculture – Distance Learning (modular course) 2019 entry

The Sustainable Aquaculture modular course allows students to study individual modules from a range of part-time, e-learning, postgraduate-level modules which aim to develop students' critical understanding of the development and principles of aquaculture. The credits for each module successfully completed may be transferred and contribute towards a postgraduate qualification (PG Cert, PGDip, MSc) at a later date.

Sustainable Aquaculture is also offered as a degree programme. See the Sustainable Aquaculture PGDip/MSc and Sustainable Aquaculture Postgraduate Certficiate course pages for more information.

Applications for 2019 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

Course type

Postgraduate

Course dates

The modular courses start in September and January of each academic year.

  • September start date: 9 September 2019
  • January start date: 28 January 2020

If you started this programme in 2018, you can find information about 2018 entry on the 2018 Sustainable Aquaculture modular course page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Course duration

9 to 12 weeks part time, depending on the modules chosen for study.

Entry requirements

A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in a relevant biological science. Entry will also be offered following successful completion of the Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Aquaculture in conjunction with additional evidence of relevant professional experiential learning.

If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.

English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Tuition fees

2019 fees have not yet been set for this course. For the 2018 fees, please check the fees webpage. 

Application deadline

Applications are accepted until shortly before teaching starts. Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.

Application requirements

  • CV or résumé. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
  • two original signed academic references
  • academic transcripts and degree certificates
  • English language requirements certificate
  • covering letter or letter of intent (optional).

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

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Course information

The Sustainable Aquaculture distance learning modular programme is taught part time via an online e-learning platform offering online tutorial support, direct email contact with tutors, video streams and access to student bulletin boards. This structure allows students the maximum flexibility to complete their studies while continuing in their employment.

Highlights

  • Flexible modular e-learning allows students to complete their studies while continuing in their employment.
  • The course uses an online e-learning platform with tutorial support, direct contact with tutors, video stream and access to student bulletin boards.

Teaching format

Classes are taught through a combination of weekly lectures and tutorials and are assessed through a combination of written examinations and coursework.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2018–2019 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2019 entry.

  • Advanced Welfare and Ethics: the welfare and ethical issues raised by current aquaculture practices.
  • Aquaculture and Fisheries: the global importance of aquaculture and fisheries industries worldwide.
  • Biology for Aquaculture: the fundamental biology, anatomy and physiology of both invertebrate and vertebrate aquaculture species. 
  • Biology for Aquaculture Invertebrates: the fundamental biology, anatomy and physiology of either invertebrate aquaculture species. 
  • Biology for Aquaculture Vertebrates: the fundamental biology, anatomy and physiology of vertebrate aquaculture species.
  • Breeding and Genetics: selective breeding programmes and modern genetic techniques applied in aquaculture practices.
  • Health and Disease: the factors that influence disease processes in cultured fish and invertebrates. 
  • Health and Disease Invertebrates: the factors that influence disease processes in invertebrates.
  • Health and Disease Vertebrates: the factors that influence disease processes in cultured fish.
  • Larval Rearing: the larval production techniques used in the aquaculture business.
  • Local and Global Impacts of Aquaculture: the environmental impact of aquaculture practices on both local and global scales.
  • Management, Husbandry and Sustainability: production management and business management of modern aquaculture practices.
  • Markets, Products, Processing and Food Safety: advanced knowledge of aquaculture markets, products, processing and food safety.
  • Nutrition for Aquaculture: the anatomy, physiology and nutritional requirements of key fish and invertebrate species.
  • Nutrition for Invertebrates: the anatomy, physiology and nutritional requirements of invertebrate species.
  • Nutrition for Vertebrates: the anatomy, physiology and nutritional requirements of key fish
  • Recirculation Aquaculture Systems: the use of recirculating aquaculture systems in modern aquaculture practices.
  • Ornamental and Aquaria Production: advanced knowledge of animals produced for the ornamental and aquaria section of the aquaculture business.

The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2019 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

Fish Site logo

More information about the course and degree routes can be found on The Fish Site.

Funding

There are many potential scholarships or support schemes available to postgraduates.

Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.

Find out more about postgraduate scholarships. 

Further study

Postgraduate degrees

The credits for each module successfully completed may be transferred and contribute towards a postgraduate qualification at a later date. See the Sustainable Aquaculture PGDip/MSc and Sustainable Aquaculture PG Cert course pages for more information about postgraduate degrees in Sustainable Aquaculture.

Careers

Students who take modules in Sustainable Aquaculture will typically pursue a career in higher level management, research and development or business development within the global aquaculture business.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Contact information

School of Biology
University of St Andrews
Biomolecular Sciences Building
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3441
Email: pgtaughtbiology@st-andrews.ac.uk

Biology website

 

Policies

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).