AQ5003 - Aquaculture: Propagation

Credit points:	03
Year:	2010
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	School of Marine & Tropical Biology

Available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Science, Graduate Diploma, Master of Applied Science or Masters programs.

This subject discusses husbandry of aquaculture broodstock and larval and juvenile culture techniques of finfish, molluscs, crustaceans and sea cucumbers. Topics include: managed reproduction of broodstock animals using nutritional, environmental, hormonal and chemical manipulation; broodstock nutrition; production of triploids and all-female stocks; factors affecting egg and larval quality; current approaches to larval and juvenile rearing. This subject shares lectures, tutorials and practical classes with AQ3003.

Learning Outcomes

• knowledge of the practical aspects of broodstock management, spawning induction and larval rearing of culture organisms and the current body of science knowledge that underpins these practices;
• understanding of current challenges experienced by the industry in relation to broodstock management and hatchery production, and current research approaches directed at sustainable commercial aquaculture propagation;
• development of effective written and oral communication skills that conform with current scientific conventions for reporting, disseminating and evaluating information;
• development of practical aquaculture skills including: production of slow release pellet implants for delivery of reproductive hormones to finfish broodstock; spawning induction of bivalves; biopsy and histological assessment of spawning condition of finfish broodstock; assessment of larval developmental stage and growth, reproductive status of crustaceans.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to use a variety of media and methods to retrieve, analyse, evaluate, organise and present information;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner.

Assumed Knowledge:	Students enrolling in this subject should have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. marine biology, biology or aquaculture) or have acquired equivalent knowledge through other study or industry experience. They should have an excellent understanding of science subjects including basic biology, chemistry, aquaculture and statistics.
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	AQ3003

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 25-Mar-2010
Coordinator:	Dr Guy Carton
Lecturers:	Dr Chaoshu Zeng, Dr Guy Carton, Professor Paul Southgate.
Contact hours:	25 hours lectures 27 hours practicals 7 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); assignments (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.