VU-VET330 Fish Health

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Aase Beathe Mikalsen

Teaching language:Norsk

Limits of class size:None

Course frequency:Continuously

Nominal workload:Appr. 300 hours

Teaching and exam period:The course is continuously available online through Canvas with login identification obtained at registration. Course participants have access to the course 1.5 years after registration and the exam must be completed during this period. Participation in an exam is possible in June or December each year.

About this course

Aquamedicine and aquaculture is an industry with rapid growth and development in technology. With this also follows an increased need for up-to-date knowledge in fish welfare and fish health. The need for competence also often extends beyond the ordinary veterinary / fish health biology education. This course will provide a professional update on topics related to fish welfare and fish health.

The content focus on fish welfare related to legislation, use of experimental fish, pain perception, sedation and general welfare in the production process and further review laws and regulations related to fish farming. Monitoring and control measures from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, as well as principles for internal control, are reviewed in relation to prevention and control. The course also includes a review of the most important loss factors of both infectious (salmon lice, viral infections, bacterial infections) and non-infectious character, as well as issues related to gyrodactylus, knowledge of proper nutrition of fresh / sick fish and issues related to environmental toxins in the finished product. Finally, fish welfare is related to new production methods.

Learning outcome

Knowledge and understanding Acquire up-to-date knowledge in aqua medicine related to the major diseases of fish in fish farming and how to prevent, diagnose and treat the diseases. Get a good understanding of the principles for limiting infection, including knowledge of public regulations related to reporting diseases. Updated knowledge of critical factors for good welfare in all stages of the production cycle, including the use of new methods / technology and the definition of fish welfare indicators. Acheive knowledge and understanding of laws and regulations related to surveillance, disease control and limitation and welfare of farmed fish. Understanding that good health through disease control and proper nutrition is an important indicator of well-being. Skills Perform good field observations and be able to make rational choices in diagnosing, treating, combating and preventing diseases in fish farming, as well as implement measures that ensure good fish health and welfare, using up-to-date knowledge and modern "tools". Attitudes and ethics Aquire increased awareness through better knowledge for contribution for good fish welfare. Participants are familiar with risk factors for diseases and poor health, and various measures for prevention and treatment.
  • The course consists of e-learning and is divided into modules of somewhat variable sizes depending on topic. Each module consists mainly of recorded presentation lectures, but can also include video / role-playing examples and theoretical self-study. Each chapter in the modules ends with a short "multiple choice" test that must be passed before the next module can be taken. One module consists of a practical assignment that needs to be performed in relation to a practical aquaculture industry setting to be choosen and organized by the student, within given frameworks / suggestions. This module can be taken at any time of the course, but a submitted report from the assignment must be approved at least 3 weeks before the exam can be taken.
  • Learning support from the course's academic responsible can be obtained through inquiries using the learning portal where the course is published (Canvas) or by email or telephone during regular working hours. If there is a need for more detailed academic support, the academic responsible will be able to forward inquiries to relevant contributors in the course.
  • Completed education in veterinary medicine or master's degree in fish health biology or equivalent biological education
  • It is possible to take the exam in December and June every year. The exam must be completed within 1.5 years of being admitted to the course. The exam consists of two parts, one is a multiple-choice assignment and one is questions for written answers. The exam is presented through the course pages in Canvas and the assignments are available for two hours at a specified date/time during a semester. The multiple-choice assignments are answered directly in Canvas and the assignments to be answered in writing is submitted by uploading a document with the answers. Both parts must be submitted within the given time the exam is open. The exam is considered pass / fail. The exam is required to obtain study credits. If you do not want / need credits, you will receive proof of course after passing a final multi-choice assignment test. You do not need to do the practical task if you do not want to be awarded credits.
  • The submitted exam is assessed by the academic responsible for the course in addition to an additional examiner.
  • Execution of a practical assignment with a self-selected topic related to the aquaculture industry and subsequent submission of a report of 2-4 pages.
  • The course is a continuing education course arranged through Senter for videre- og etterutdanning (SEVU) at NMBU.

    Course fee: NOK 9,500Fees for the Norwegian Food Safety Authority's employees: NOK 4,200 (due to cooperation on course development)

  • None
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  • Passed / Not Passed