Universidade do Algarve

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1 Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries i Universidade do Algarve Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente Introduction and background Objectives General Competencies Employment Course Structure Study plans The Bologna process Semesters and Teaching Blocks Teaching and Evaluation of Students Tuition Fees Fellowships / Scholarships Admission Requirements Application Procedure Student Mobility Research Opportunities / Thesis topics Course Directors and Contacts

2 Introduction and background Fisheries worldwide are in a crisis, with many of the most important stocks overexploited or even in danger of collapse. Although over-fishing is in many cases the main cause of the decline in fisheries resources, other contributing factors include habitat degradation, pollution, poor or nonexistent management and conservation, lack of or insufficient enforcement and global environmental changes. Today, the focus is on new tools and approaches for fisheries management and conservation, including multi-species or ecosystem based methodologies. While fisheries landings have stabilised or declined in recent years, aquaculture production has increased exponentially, with research on new species, feeds, diseases, genetics and technology at the forefront. With a vast EEZ and important wetlands, including lagoons and estuaries, Portugal has a long tradition in aquaculture and fisheries. Since its inception, the University of the Algarve has been a leader in teaching and research inaquaculture u and fisheries esin Portugal. The majority of the faculty of the Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente (FCMA) are members of one of two research centres: the Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR) and the Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIMA). Aquaculture and fisheries are particularly important areas in CCMAR, with numerous national and international research projects. CCMAR, with approximately 150 researchers, was designated an Associate Laboratory in 2002 and is considered a reference both at the national and international level in aquaculture and fisheries research. The Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries is part of the European Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries (MAqFISH), coordinated by the University of Ghent (Belgium), since The other partner universities are Bergen (Norway), Wageningen (Netherlands), Warmia & Mazury (Poland), University College Cork (Ireland), and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. It is now in its second edition, with the third edition scheduled to start in September To date, the MSc has had students from Brazil, Cyprus, England, Mozambique, Norway, Portugal and Spain. 1

3 Objectives The objectives of the Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries are: a) to train aquaculture and fisheries professionals; b) to graduate researchers able to carry out research in aquaculture and fisheries; c) to provide academically trained personnel for the aquaculture industry; d) to provide academically trained personnel for research institutes, ministries, national and international organisations and consulting companies; e) to provide the students with the knowledge required for conservation, management and sustainable exploitation of living resources; f) to provide the students with the knowledge necessary for the production of species in different aquaculture production regimes; g) to train professions capable of communicating their knowledge to non- specialist as well as specialist audiences; h) to enable the mobility of students and lecturers within the framework of the International Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries, allowing students to benefit from the expertise of the partners of the consortium of 7 European universities (Ghent University Belgium, Wageningen University - Holland, University College Cork - Ireland, University of Warmia & Mazury - Poland, University of Bergen - Norway and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology Norway); 2

4 General Competencies The learning outcomes / competencies acquired include: a) Ability to research, analyse and present the latest information on the principal topics and problems in fisheries and aquaculture in a rigorous manner; b) Knowledge of relevant policies and legislation; c) Capacity to plan and implement production cycles of cultured species; d) Capacity to plan and implement sampling programs; e) Ability to work effectively in an inter-disciplinary i framework; f) Capacity to resolve problems and apply acquired knowledge in a professional manner; g) Contribute to the generation of new knowledge through participation in research projects; h) Capacity to collect, choose, analyse and interpret relevant information, including social, scientific and ethical aspects, in order to substantiate decisions and solutions; i) Use of a variety of tools for research, organization, analysis and synthesis of scientific and technical information, necessary for the resolution of problems and the justification of choices and decisions as well as for the preparation p of technical and scientific reports; j) Ability to work independently and with a critical spirit in applying the knowledge acquired to resolving a wide range of problems; k) Capacity for effective oral and written communication of information, ideas, problems and solutions to a wide range of audiences, including specialists and non-specialists; l) Ability to adapt to changes and to learn continuously and independently; m) Act professionally and ethically. 3

5 Employment Students completing the Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries can: a) work in aquaculture and fisheries research institutions; b) be aquaculture and fisheries consultants; c) create new companies, especially in consulting, aquaculture, processing and related fields; d) be employed in organizations related to environmental conservation and management, in fishermen s associations, in NGOs, and in fishing companies as laboratory, sampling and monitoring technicians; e) be employed in aquaculture companies. Graduates of the Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries will also be well prepared for continuing post-graduate (doctoral) studies. 4

6 Course Structure The Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries is a two year degree (4 semesters), with a total of 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System*) of course work. A total of 15 modules or courses are taken over two and a half semesters (75 ECTS). The second half of the third semester and the fourth semester are dedicated to the thesis (45 ECTS). All students must take four core modules: Legislation, Statistical analysis, Techniques in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Transformation of Aquatic Products Students can specialise in Aquaculture or Fisheries by choosing from a variety of modules (see Study plans below). Four modules are optional and can be selected from the modules of other Masters of the University of the Algarve (e.g. Masters in Marine Biology, Masters in Oceanography, Masters in Ecology). * 5

7 Study Plans Aquaculture Study Plan Year Semester Module ECTS 1 1 Statistical Analysis Techniques in Molecular and Cellular Biology Freshwater Aquaculture Culture of Live Feed Option Option Legislation Transformation of Aquatic Products Reproduction in Aquaculture Larviculture Option Option Genetics and Selection Engineering g in Aquaculture Feeding and Nutrition Thesis Thesis 30 Total ECTS 120 6

8 Study Plans Fisheries Study Plan Year Semester Module ECTS 1 1 Statistical Analysis Techniques in Molecular and Cellular Biology Fisheries Biology Fisheries Technology Option Option Legislation Transformation of Aquatic Products Stock Assessment Ecology of Resources Option Option Resource Economics Modeling in Fisheries Conservacion and Managment Thesis Thesis 30 Total ECTS 120 7

9 The Bologna Process The Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries is fully in compliance with the Bologna Process* (Bologna Declaration June 1999) that aims to make European Higher Education more compatible and comparable, more competitive and more attractive for European citizens and for citizens and scholars from other continents. The aim of the European Higher Education Area is to provide citizens with choices from a wide and transparent range of high quality courses and benefit from smooth recognition procedures. Currently, only some of the University of the Algarve courses are functioning according to the Bologna process. However, by 2008, all degree courses will have been adapted to the Bologna Process. * Semesters and Teaching Blocks Each semester is divided into three six week blocks. Students take two modulesineachblock(5+5ects),foratotalof30ectspersemester. The first 5 weeks of each block are for teaching (lectures, tutorials, laboratory work and field trips). The 6 th week of each block is for evaluations (written or oral exams, presentations or seminars). At the end of each semester there is an examination period when students have a second opportunity to be evaluated. The first semester of the 2007/2008 academic year will start on September 17, 2007 and will end in February The second semester will start in March and end in July

10 Teaching and Evaluation of Students At the University it of the Algarve, one ECTS corresponds to 28 hours of work. Each Masters module is worth 5 ECTS (= 140 hours of work). The 140 hours consists of independent study and any combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, field trips, seminars and evaluations. For Masters level modules or courses, independent study accounts for between 60 and 80% of the 140 hours. For example, a Masters module could have the following distribution: Lectures: Laboratory work: Field trip: Tutorials: Seminars: Evaluation: Independent study: 15 hours 9 hours 8 hours 3 hours 2 hours 3 hours 100 hours In each module, students are evaluated in at least two ways. For example: Written examination: 50% of the final grade Term paper or project: 50% of the final grade Students who fail a course have a second opportunity to take a written exam at the end of the semester. 9

11 Tuition Fees The tuition fee for the current academic yearis 1170, payable in three instalments of 390 (total tuition for the two years of the Masters is 2340 ). The tuition fee for the next academic year ( ) may be different. Please consult the faculty webpage ( at a later date for updates. Fellowships/Scholarships A limited number of fellowships or scholarships may be available. Please consult this webpage at a later date for updates. Admission Requirements a) Applicants to the Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries must have an undergraduate degree (BSc or Licenciatura) in biology or other relevant scientific area. b) Applicants must have a good command of English, both written and oral. Applicants whose mother tongue is not English should take an international language test: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing Service (IELTS), Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Proficiency in English/CPE or Certificate in Advanced English/CAE. 1 0

12 Application Procedure Applicants should send: a) A letter indicating the specialisation of interest (Aquaculture or Fisheries or both); b) A Curriculum Vitae; c) A photocopy of official university transcripts (grades of courses taken in the BSc degree); d) A photocopy of the National Identity Card or Passport; e) Application fee of 100. The application fee will be refunded if the candidate is not accepted. It will not be refunded if the candidate is accepted but decides not to enrol. Cheques should be made out to: Universidade id d do Algarve and sent with the rest of the application material. The above should be sent or delivered to: FCMA, c/o Carla Reis (MAqFISH), Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal Application periods: 1 st application period: May 2 July 16, 2 nd application period: August 1 September 6 Selection periods: 1st selection period: July 17-31, 2nd selection period: September The list of selected students can be consulted at: Enrolment periods: 1st phase: August 1 - September 6, 2nd phase: September

13 Student Mobility The Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries is part of the International Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries, with the Universities of Bergen, Ghent, Wageningen, Warmia & Mazury, University College Cork and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Bi-lateral agreements between the partner universities enable some of the students to do a semester of coursework or a thesis at any of the partner universities. 1 2

14 Research opportunities/thesis Topics The Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR) is an independent, nonprofit, autonomous research centre located in the University of the Algarve. CCMAR consists of approximately 170 researchers, of which approximately 60 have a PhD and include both faculty members of the Universidade do Algarve and post-doctoral fellows and researchers. The remaining members are doctoral students and technicians. CCMAR, together with the Centre of Marine and Environmental Research of the University of Porto (CIIMAR), constitute the Associate Laboratory, CIMAR, created in March As an Associate Laboratory, CIMAR is recognized as a centre of excellence in Marine Sciences, receiving funding directly from the Ministry of Science. CIMAR is dedicated to research, and to the dissemination and transfer of technology in the areas of Marine Sciences. Its main objective is to carry out basic and applied research on the processes occurring in aquatic ecosystems, including the study of impacts of human activities on these ecosystems. CIMAR members are organised into 38 groups or laboratories arranged in two divisions and four lines of research: L1 - Ecology, Biodiversity and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, L2 - Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, L3 - Biology and Marine Biotechnologies, L4 Aquaculture. The total number of researchers and students working at this moment in CIMAR (Porto - CIIMAR and Algarve - CCMAR) is approximately 400. CIMAR also provides post-graduate training to students in several fields related to the Marine & Environmental area. The budget for 2005, not including salaries, was 3.7 M, of which 41% was from the National Science Foundation (FCT), 28 % was from EU projects, 26% from national projects and 5% from services. Scientific production in 2005 included 193 papers in peer review international journals, 7 books and 14 book chapters. 1 3

15 Course Directors and Contacts Aquaculture Adelino V.M. Canário Fisheries Karim Erzini Secretary e Carla Reis cmreis@ualg.pt For further information, please contact: Dr. Karim Erzini, FCMA, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal kerzini@ualg.pt Fax: (351) Tel: (351) (Ext. 7237) 1 4

16 Links Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR): pt/ccmar/ CIMAR Associate Laboratory: MaqFISH: 1 5