Challenge and Opportunity to Tertiary Aquaculture Education Jian Qin Flinders University Australia

Universities offer tertiary aquaculture degrees in Australia University of Tasmania James Cook University Flinders University

Aquaculture at Flinders University South Australia’s only degree course in aquaculture South Australia’s only degree course in aquaculture Three-year degree program, plus the option of Honours in 4th year Three-year degree program, plus the option of Honours in 4th year Industry placement in commercial aquaculture ventures Industry placement in commercial aquaculture ventures Articulation with TAFE Diploma in this degree Articulation with TAFE Diploma in this degree No prerequisite subjects required for entry No prerequisite subjects required for entry

Talk outline History of BTech Aquaculture degree at Flinders History of BTech Aquaculture degree at Flinders Course management Course management Postgraduate survey Postgraduate survey Current aquaculture curriculum Current aquaculture curriculum Future direction Future direction

 The degree program started in 1997 at Flinders University  Number of student intake per year: 25 High school graduates TAFE students Tertiary student transfer Mature age students I. History

Graduation rate Aquaculture = 55% Faculty (all degree): 57%

1. Aquaculture Course Advisory Committee Objective: seek advice and opinions from outside experts on the strategic plan for the aquaculture degree program 2. Aquaculture Course Management Committee Objective: implement teaching plans 3. Aquaculture Staff/Student Consultative Committee Objective: get feedback from students on aquaculture teaching II. Aquaculture Course Management

 Course Coordinator  responsible for the planning, coordinating and assessing the course  curriculum and course matters course content managing student matters coordination of staff the use of physical facilities and resources  Topic Coordinator The academic staff member responsible for a topic Aquaculture Course Delivery

III. Result of Postgraduate Survey We sent out questionnaires to 77 students We sent out questionnaires to 77 students We received a 30% reply rate We received a 30% reply rate

Are you currently working in either a paid or unpaid capacity?

Is your current work in the Aquaculture Industry? Is your current work in the Aquaculture Industry?

Jobs in the Aquaculture Industry Jobs in the Aquaculture Industry Percent Lab Technician 20.0 Education 6.7 Development Officer 20.0 Production Manager 20.0 Environmental Management 6.7 Government/Policy Planning 6.7 Other 20.0 Total 100.0

Income Distribution Income Distribution Working in Aqua Industry Income P.A.YesNo Less than $10, % $10,000 - $20, % $20,000 - $30, % $30,000 - $40, %11.1% $40,000 - $50, %11.1% More than $50, %11.1% Total 100.0%

How would you rate your satisfaction with the Aquaculture degree as a whole? How would you rate your satisfaction with the Aquaculture degree as a whole?

SemUnitsTopic Code Introduction to Aquaculture 14.5BIOL1201 Biological Sciences 1A14.5BIOL1101 Introduction to Chemistry 1A14.5CHEM1201 or Chemistry 1A14.5CHEM1101 Professional Skills for Aqua14.5AQUA1211 Biological Sciences 1B24.5BIOL1102 Introduction to Chemistry 1B24.5CHEM1202 or Chemistry 1B24.5CHEM1102 Elective29.0 Total36 IV. Current Aquaculture Curriculum Year One

SemUnitsTopic Code Aqua Procedures & Production1&26.0AQUA2111 Aquaculture Feed and Nutrition13.0AQUA2201 Statistics for Biology13.0STAT2304 Laboratory Skills for Biologists13.0BIOL2101 Animal Disease and Defence 13.0BIOL2341 Elective Topic13.0 Water Quality Management23.0AQUA2221 Aquaculture Practice 23.0AQUA2131 Biology Cultured Aqua Organisms23.0BIOL2302 Elective Topics26.0 Total36 Current Aquaculture Curriculum Year Two

SemUnitsTopic Code Aquatic Animal Reproduction 13.0BIOL3301 Aqua Business Management & Law16.0 AQUA 3231 Aqua Research Project 1&26.0AQUA 3111 Elective Topics16.0 Aquatic Animal Health & Hygiene23.0AQUA3121 Applied Genetic in Aquaculture & Fisheries 23.0BIOL3302 Elective Topics29.0 Total36 Current Aquaculture Curriculum Year Three

Topics% ____________________________ Niche (Aqua) topics30 Other core topics 40 Elective topics30 ____________________________ Total100 Overall aquaculture course structure

Liaise with aquaculture high school and establish exchange programs Improve graduate’s generic skills in science and professional skills in aquaculture increase the program flexibility by including more elective topics solicit opinions from the industry and produce skillful and capable workforces for the aquaculture industry Develop postgraduate courses to strengthen specialised skills. V. Future direction

Comments or Questions?

Teaching facilities Algal room Algal room Zooplankton room Zooplankton room Four aquarium rooms Four aquarium rooms Salt water or freshwater Salt water or freshwater 6 recirculating tanks and 12 outdoor tanks will be constructed on campus by August recirculating tanks and 12 outdoor tanks will be constructed on campus by August 2006.

Future Reduce aquaculture niche degree topics Reduce aquaculture niche degree topics Current AQUA topics are 61.5 units Current AQUA topics are 61.5 units Other niche degrees have about 24-unit niche core topics Other niche degrees have about 24-unit niche core topics Open more aquaculture topics to other degree Open more aquaculture topics to other degree Keep BTech Aquaculture student enrolment at >20 per year Keep BTech Aquaculture student enrolment at >20 per year Develop postgraduate courses in aquaculture Develop postgraduate courses in aquaculture

Your input Skill needs by the aquaculture industry Skill needs by the aquaculture industry The future of Aquaculture education at Flinders? The future of Aquaculture education at Flinders?