Course content

The course is divided into two parts and runs over one semester. In the first part of the course will give basic introduction to fish welfare and stress physiology and how this affects fish health and ethics of production. Sustainability aspects of fish production will be discussed in relation UN Sustainability goals and will include group assays. The second part of the course will be a deeper introduction to fish health with special focus on the most important diseases and operational welfare parameters.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

• Basic knowledge of salmon stress physiology, operational welfare indicators and ethics in production.
• Know the most important diseases and parasite infections in fish farming, how they spread and how stress and contagious hygiene measures can be used to prevent spread of disease.
• Know relevant legislations, regulations and standards related to fish health and fish welfare.

Skills:

• The candidate can apply his/her knowledge of salmon to understand and contribute to solving new biological and operational issues in aquaculture and animal welfare.
• The candidate has the knowledge to find and apply relevant regulations, regulations and standards in animal welfare.
• The candidate is familiar with relevant biological methods and other professional tools for recognizing suboptimal farming conditions and contributing to solving the challenges.
• The candidate can reflect on his/her own professional practice in the subject areas of the course and act as part of an interdisciplinary team with staff from the other important disciplines in aquaculture, preferably as responsible manager.

General competence:

• The candidate can use knowledge and skills in an independent manner in different education and work related situations by showing cooperation, responsibility, ability to reflect and critical thinking.
• The candidate has broad insight into the environmental consequences and challenges of fish welfare in aquaculture and can put these in a broader perspective of economics and sustainability.
• The candidate can communicate knowledge about salmon biology in farming and the influence of the marine environment to different target groups both in writing and orally in Norwegian and English, and can help to highlight aspects of the aquaculture profession's significance and consequences.
• The candidate can, through sharing his knowledge and experience in academic discussions within the subject area and contribute to a continued sustainable operational and environmental development in aquaculture.
• The candidate knows and can contribute to new thinking, innovation and the digitization of aquaculture based on the subject's subject areas.

Learning methods and activities

Teaching methods and activities:

• The teaching will largely be based on lectures, mainly physical, but some online. The number of each will vary from year to year. There will be a simple laboratory exercise on bacteriology and brief studies to understand stress in salmon.

Compulsory assignments

• Lab work
• Practices

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

Information given at start of course