James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2023

AQ5004 - Aquaculture: Stock Improvement

Available to postgraduate science students.

Subject Description

Consideration of the genetics of breeding programs and how these can be applied to improving desirable traits for aquaculture, such as growth rate, feeding efficiency, disease resistance and market acceptability. Consideration of the techniques available for genetic manipulation in aquaculture breeding programs. Major topics include genetic selection, hybridisation, effective breeding numbers, sex reversal and chromosomal manipulation. This subject shares lectures, tutorials and practical classes with AQ3004.

Learning Outcomes

• appreciation of genetic polymorphism and inter-population and intra-population relationships
• appreciation of the potential and limitations of breeding programs
• awareness of the recent advances in biotechnology for genetic studies and genetic manipulation
• knowledge of the various techniques of genetic selection

Note that 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.

Assumed Knowledge:  Students must have a good understanding of GENETICS and EVOLUTION which includes knowledge of DNA structure, microevolutionary processes, genetics of populations and genes and heredity. It would be advantageous for students to have a basic understanding of AQUACULTURE which includes knowledge of aquatic organism physiology and an overview of aquaculture. (BS5470 or BC5101 or BS2470 or BC3101 or BC2023) and (AQ5006 or AQ2001) or equivalent industry experience.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  AQ3004

Availabilities