Candidates may spend about six weeks working in an approved on-going project in aquaculture in order to obtain experience in working with an established research team (which may be based inside or outside the University). As an alternative and after consultation with the Course Coordinator and Head of School, candidates may undertake a small project which would typically be a pilot study for their independent project. After completing this research, candidates will be required to write a report and to give a half hour seminar to other students and members of the research team (the latter to be nominated by the student). Both the oral reports and written reports should include a critical appraisal of the objectives, methodology, results and future directions of the project.