Introduction to sustainable production and utilization of bioresources III: Transdisciplinary and sustainable aquaculture

The course is an interdisciplinary course at the second cycle level. The course integrates natural science, social science and design aspects for the development of sustainable aquaculture. The course is mandatory and positioned as the third course (out of three mandatory 5 ECT courses) during the first quartile of T1 of the “Nordic Master's Program in Sustainable Production and Utilization of Marine Bioresources" (N2MAB; MARBIO). Before taking this course, students must have completed the mandatory course “Introduction to Sustainable Production and Utilization of Marine Bioresources I”, 5 ECT at NordUniversity in Bodö, Norway and the mandatory course “Introduction to Sustainable Production and Utilization of Marine Bioresources II”, 5 ECT at Holar University in Iceland.

The course is a hybrid course with approx. 2/3 of the teaching online and 1/3 in the form of a week-long course component on site at GU.

The course is included in the following programs: 1) Nordic Master's Program in Sustainable Production and Utilization of Marine Bioresources (N2MAB)

• Department of business administration
• HDK-Valand - Academy of Art and Design
• Department of Earth Sciences
• Department of marine sciences
• Department of Law

Admission to the course requires that the student has completed the first two courses in the “Nordic Master’s Programme in Sustainable Production and Utilization of Marine Bioresources” (N2MAB):

• BIO5038: Introduction to Sustainable Production and Utilization of Bioresources 1 at Nord University in Bodø, Norway, and
• IMB1305192-256 Introduction to MARBIO II – Aquatic Resource Management at Hólar University, Iceland.

In addition, the same entry requirements apply as for the “Nordic Master’s Programme in Sustainable Production and Utilization of Marine Bioresources” (N2MAB), i.e.:

• A Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) in natural sciences, social sciences, or arts, and
• English proficiency equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6 or equivalent (according to University admission English language requirements, TOEFL, or IELTS).

The language requirement may (upon submission of supplementary information) be fulfilled through:

• Equivalent level of English studies at a national upper secondary school,
• A Bachelor’s degree where the language of instruction is English, or
• At least 60 ECTS of courses where the language of instruction is English.

The oceans, coastal waters, lakes and streams constitute resources that must be managed and cared for in sustainable ways. The course "Introduction to sustainable production and use of marine bioresources III: Transdisciplinarity and cocreation" comprises how to create sustainable food production through aquaculture by integrating natural science, social science and design perspectives. The course gives an introduction to inter- and transdisciplinary methods for studying aquaculture and fisheries and the interaction between them in a local and global context. The whole value chain of seafood is considered with emphasis on entrepreneurship. Legal aspects such as coastal zone planning and technical development of innovative aquaculture systems, with a focus on food production, will be highlighted during the course. The course is based on FAO's "guidelines for responsible fisheries" and "Ecosystems approach to Aquaculture" and the UN's SDG (Sustainable Developmental Goals). The course will cover local and global aquaculture systems including the most important species, cultivation volumes and technologies as well as opportunities for sustainable intensification of aquaculture production.

The course is given in collaboration between three Nordic universities, which in addition to the University of Gothenburg also includes Nord University Bodø in Norway and Hólar University in Iceland.

The course also includes study visits to industry, authorities and organizations as well as teaching by invited lecturers from stakeholders and professionals within aquaculture and the seafood production sector.

After passed course the students should be able to show:

Knowledge and understanding

• Knowledge and understanding of the “United Nation Food and Agriculture Organizations (FAO) Ecosystems Approach to Aquaculture" and the UN 17 sustainable development goals and how seafood production through aquaculture relates to these
• Insight in transdisciplinary methods such as participatory design and "co-creation" as well as possibilities and needs for these methods for sustainable development aquaculture
• Insight into current aquaculture legislation and marine spatial planning at national and EU level
• Knowledge and understanding of aquaculture of different organisms, its biology and ecology as well as the technologies that are used for farming of the most common species used in aquaculture
• Knowledge and understanding of circular systems and sustainable feed production for “fed” aquaculture

Competence and skills

• ability to choose relevant scientific methods for research and development projects and discuss advantages and disadvantages with these
• ability to formulate aim, issue and set-up of projects that include participating, design, team building and research ethics
• ability to use different tools and methods to communicate, inform and transfer knowledge of scientific and social aspects of seafood production through aquaculture to different stakeholders and the public

Judgement and approach

On completion of the course, the student should have:

• reflected over a subject for the coming individual master project (during year 2 of the program) as well as having initiated communication with potential supervisors for the Masters thesis
• delivered an individual study plan that has been established in communication with the program counselors and scientific program coordinators for the rest of the Nordic Master's program in full (120 credits).

The course is a hybrid course where 2/3 of the teaching takes place at distance through Internet-based activities such as streamed seminars and lectures, "flipped-classroom" where recorded lectures is followed by discussions in groups, exercises, individual reading, project work etc. The third week of the course constitutes one-week on-site campus course at one, or both, of GU’s research stations Tjärnö and/or Kristineberg. Teaching during the campus-based week takes place in the form of lectures, seminars, study visits, discussions with stakeholder and researchers as well as through planning of the individual study plan for the program.

Language of instruction: English.

The examination takes place in the form of a written assignment containing both a theoretical essay and popular science communication material, as well as mandatory attendance at the campus week.

For students who have not passed the regular examination, additional examination sessions are offered.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass (G) and Fail (U). In the course, one of the grades is given Pass (G) or Fail (U). To pass final grade is required attendance and active participation in compulsory components as well as that all three written reports has been assigned at least grade Pass (at least 60%).

A written and/or oral course evaluation is made at the end of the course. A compilation of the course evaluation is posted on the courses page in the university digital learning platform as well as report to secretariat for biology and environmental sciences there it is available as a public document.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

The course involves travel and accommodation for a week at one or both of GU's research stations, Tjärnö and/or Kristineberg.

To support each individual student's course choice in the program, each student will establish an individual study plan in dialogue with teachers and study counsellors. The individual study plan should also ensure that the compulsory mobility of 30 credits for the students who are admitted to "Nordic Masterprogram in Sustainable Production and Use of Marine Bioresources" is met.

Erasmus agreements have been established between the three partner universities with the possibility of applying for a scholarship for mobility between the partner universities.