Semester 1
Semester One at UHI-SAMS
The first semester of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in AquaCulture, Environment and Society + (EMJMD ACES+) is spent at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), which is an academic partner of the University of Highlands and Islands. UHI-SAMS is a centre of excellence specialising in the environmental impacts of aquaculture, particularly in cold water marine environments, new innovative technologies and systems to reduce this impact. For over 25 years, SAMS-UHI has also specialised in coastal policy which integrates natural, socio-economic sciences to implement an ecosystem approach to the planning and management of coastal environments.
Key staff include; 4 Professors, a Reader, a Senior Lecturer and two Lecturers with backgrounds in sustainable aquaculture, socio-economics, marine ecology and marine policy. All senior staff members have considerable experience in influencing policy at European and international level.
UHI-SAMS provides the foundation modules for this programme.
- Overview of Global Aquaculture (UD411986)
- Aquaculture Environmental Interactions (UD411983)
Optional (choose one)
- Innovation, Technology and Systems (UD411985)
- Governance, Management and Knowledge Exchange (UD411984)
- Managing Biological Lifecycles – Micro- and Macroalgae (UD411987)
| MODULE 1: Overview of Global Aquaculture (Core: 10 ECTS)
Module Leader: Dr Helena Reinardy |
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| Description | Students will gain an extensive, detailed and critical knowledge of the main theories, principles, concepts and technology related to the global aquaculture industry. Students will also gain a critical awareness of the current issues facing the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry and to apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to these issues that are at the forefront of, or informed by, developments associated with the aquaculture industry.
Indicative content includes:
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| Teaching methods | Seminars, workshops, aquarium practicals, guided uses of open learning materials, site visits to industry |
| Assessment | Written assignment (50%) and written report based on 3 practical sessions (50%) |
| MODULE 2: Environmental Interactions of Aquaculture (Core: 10 ECTS)
Module Leader: Professor Elizabeth Cottier-Cook |
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| Description | Students will gain a detailed and critical knowledge of how the various types of aquaculture have different types of interactions with the environment, and how the nature of these interactions depends on the receiving environment, the species cultured, the intensity of culture, and the methods of culture. It will also consider any cumulative impacts. In many cases, negative interactions of aquaculture are quite well understood and regulations are in place to mitigate these to some extent. However, this is not the case in many developing countries. A key feature of aquaculture is the extent to which it has a social licence to operate and this is, in many cases, related to perceived or real environmental impacts.
Indicative content includes:
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| Teaching methods | Seminars, guest scholars, tutorials, practical modelling exercises, guided use of open learning materials, fieldtrip to aquaculture facility |
| Assessment | Group study and presentation (50%) and simulation exercise followed by presentation and written assignment (50%) |
| MODULE 3a: Governance, Management and Knowledge Exchange (Optional: 10 ECTS)
Module Leader: Dr Sofia Franco |
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| Description | Students will gain an extensive, detailed and critical knowledge of the main features, techniques and current research regarding governance, management and knowledge exchange of the aquaculture sector within a global context. The module will focus not only on top-down governance from policy and regulation, but will also examine local governance and market drivers.
Indicative content includes:
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| Teaching methods | Seminars, guest workshop (including UNU session), tutorials, panel discussion, guided use of open learning materials. |
| Assessment | Poster assignment (70%) and preparation and participation in role play exercise (30%) |
| MODULE 3b: Innovation, Technology and System (Optional: 10 ECTS)
Module Leader: Dr Adam Hughes |
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| Description | Students will gain knowledge that covers and integrates the evolution of the production systems globally and the main drivers for technology development. With the market for aquaculture supplies and equipment expected to reach $63B, this module will link directly with industry, to provide a critical understanding of the major growth areas and a critical awareness of the future needs of aquaculture technology and systems.
Indicative content includes:
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| Teaching methods | Seminars, tutorials, guided use of open learning materials, site visits to industry |
| Assessment | Horizon scanning exercise (50%) and business case presentation (50%) |
| MODULE 3c: Managing Biological Lifecycles – Micro- and Macroalgae (Optional: 10 ECTS)
Module Leader: Professor Elizabeth Cottier-Cook |
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| Description | Students will gain knowledge of the main features, techniques and current research and policy on farmed seaweed species at a global level. It will allow students to use a significant range of standard and specialised research equipment and techniques which are applicable to the systems used in the production of seaweed. Students will also gain a critical understanding of how the aquaculture industry manages the life-cycles of seaweeds. This module will cover topics such as:
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| Teaching methods | Seminars, tutorials, guided use of open learning materials, site visits to industry |
| Assessment | Practical report (50%) and essay (50%) |