Objectives and competences

The programme seeks to train professionals for the aquaculture sector with a high level of scientific knowledge, a mastery of multidisciplinary techniques and the capacity to assume managerial responsibilities. It offers students the chance to develop the skills needed to carry out research, development and innovation in the public and private sectors.
The master's degree in Aguaculture provides knowledge based on production, sustainability and responsibility. It introduces students to advances in nutrition, metabolism and the growth of aquaculture species. It enables them to stay up to date with advances in nutrition, metabolism and growth in aquaculture species, and the opportunities for qualitative improvement of the product.

Graduates of the master's degree in Aquaculture will find employment in a number of areas: positions with varying degrees of responsibility in aquaculture production, new business start-ups, consulting firms, project development at the national and international level, aquaculture-related industries including the production of fish fodder, drugs and vaccines, the transformation of fish products, marketing, the pharmaceutical industry, public administration at all levels and research departments in the public and private sectors.

The degree is designed primarily for holders of bachelor's degrees or diplomas or for technical engineers who want to enhance their knowledge of aquaculture.

Basic information

TypeMaster's degree
Faculty or schoolFaculty of Biology
Branch of knowledge
  • Biochemistry and biotechnology
Mode of delivery
  • Face-to-face
Credits60
Number of places available25
Length of course1 academic year
Language(s) of instructionEnglish
Approximate price per credit27.67 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2024-2025
CoordinationM. ISABEL NAVARRO ALVAREZ
Course detailsIndicators
Open pre-enrolmentNo
Open enrolmentNo
Lead to doctoral studiesYes
Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualificationNo
InteruniversityYes
Main universityUniversitat Barcelona
Universities
  • Universitat Barcelona
  • Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
  • Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Bridging coursesNo

Objectives and competences

Objectives

  • To gain an understanding of production, sustainability and responsibility in aquaculture.

  • To acquire knowledge of the latest developments in the nutrition, metabolism and growth of aquaculture species, focusing on theoretical issues and potential applications for enhanced product quality.

  • To gain an understanding of the current state of knowledge in the immunology and pathology of fish species important in aquaculture, using the tools needed for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and understanding the interaction of aquaculture and the environment.

  • To understand the basic design criteria and engineering principles needed to set up and manage a successful aquaculture system, as well as the principles underlying the technical and business management of an aquaculture company and how to market the product.

  • To acquire the skills, knowledge and tools to undertake research in public and private research centres.

Competences

Generic competences

  • The ability to analyse, summarize and write documents and interpret professional and scientific protocols in the various specialized areas of aquaculture.
  • Expertise in the use of information and communication technologies and awareness of the importance of debate and teamwork, interpersonal communication and responsibility.
  • The ability to design experiments and apply scientific methods, which provides the sufficient autonomy to take part in scientific and technological collaborations and projects.

Specific competences

  • The ability to understand and select the appropriate nutritional, feeding and reproduction parameters to ensure a good quality product in aquaculture.
  • The ability to identify how systems of aquaculture production function and evaluate their impact on the environment, maintaining the health and well-being of the animals and giving priority to preventive rather than therapeutic strategies.
  • Capacity to design installations and define handling programs for an aquaculture farm, taking into account biological, physical and economic constraints, and ability to take decisions concerning the management and maintenance of the installations.

Access and admission

Applicant profile and access requirements

Recommended applicant profile

Applicants should have a general background in life sciences, health sciences or agricultural engineering, with specific training in the biology, ecology and physiology of aquatic organisms or systems of aquaculture production (technology and facilities). A basic knowledge of English is required.

Access requirements and conditions

General requirements
In accordance with Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, students wishing to be admitted to a university master's degree must hold one of the following qualifications:

  • Official Spanish university degree.

  • A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.

  • A qualification issued by an institution outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, applicants must request homologation of the degree to its equivalent official Spanish university qualification or obtain express approval from the University of Barcelona, which will conduct a study of equivalence to ensure that the degree is of a comparable level to an official Spanish university qualification and that it grants access to university master's degree study in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.

Specific requirements

For admission to the master's degree in Aquaculture, applicants should hold an official bachelor's degree, undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in any area related to life sciences, environmental sciences, marine sciences, veterinary science or agricultural engineering.

The admission requirements list the qualifications needed for admission to this master's degree. Students with qualifications not listed above will require a favourable report from the Master's Degree Committee to gain admittance.

Students will need a level of English language competence equivalent to B2 in the European Common Framework of Reference for Languages.

Pre-enrolment

Calendar

First period: 1 February'17 June 2024.
Notification of resolutions: 17 June.

Second period: 8 June'2 September 2024.
Notification of resolutions: 9 September.

Notes:

  • Pre-enrolment fee: A pre-enrolment fee of 30,21 euros is charged. Students who apply to more than one master's degree must pay the fee for each pre-enrolment request. Pre-enrolment requests cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.Fees will only be refunded if the master's degree in question is suspended.
  • Reserved places: A maximum of 5% of the new places of the master's degree are reserved for students who meet the general and specific access requirements and accredit the recognition of a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%.

Required documentation

Selection criteria

Notification

Enrolment

As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned


Calendar

  • July: 15–30.
  • September: 16–30.

Course curriculum

Subjects and course plans

Distribution of credits

Type ECTS
Compulsory 30
Optional 0
Compulsory placements 0
Compulsory final project 30
TOTAL 60

List of subjects

Subject Type Language Credits
Specialization: Aquaculture
Aquaculture as a Productive Sector Compulsory 2nd semester 8
Experimental Methods in Fish Health in Aquaculture Compulsory 2nd semester 2
Final Project Compulsory 2nd semester 30
Health and Well-being in Aquatic Animals Compulsory 2nd semester 8
Management of Marine Aquaculture Facilities Compulsory 2nd semester 2
Physiology of Species of Interest in Aquaculture Compulsory 1st semester 8
Techniques for the Handling and Physiological Analysis of Farmed Fish Compulsory 2nd semester 2

Previous years

Placements

Placements in a company or another type of organization are an integral part of university studies, providing first-hand experience of working methodologies in students' chosen professional fields. They offer invaluable practical experience for the transition into work after graduation.

Placements are supervised by tutors and subject to assessment. They are therefore included in the academic record.  There is also an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 500 hours. For both curricular and non-curricular placements, an educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.

 

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