Graduate Diploma in Science (Aquaculture)

The Graduate Diploma in Science (Aquaculture) is a 36-unit program comprising only coursework offered by the College of Science and Engineering. The course is built within the Masters of Science (Aquaculture) , and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the two awards.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold the Graduate Certificate in Science (Aquaculture) or a degree in any relevant discipline of science or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. The Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

The Graduate Diploma in Science (Aquaculture) is not available to graduates of the BSC (Aquaculture) or BSc (Aquaculture) (Honours) or equivalent.

Course aims

The primary aim of this course is to facilitate skills transfer from another relevant area of science to the study of aquaculture. The specific aims include:

• gaining advanced theoretical and technical knowledge in aquaculture and specialised skills in global aquaculture farming and practice
• applying key knowledge in nutrition, water quality, reproduction, production quality and health issues relevant to global aquaculture
• understanding of aquaculture operations through a combination of theoretical coursework and technical practicals
• ability to apply numerical and statistical skills relevant to aquaculture
• high level skills in design of aquaculture facilities
• training for independent thinking and complex problem solving skills in aquaculture
• the ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

Learning outcomes 

On successful completion of the course, graduates should be able to:

• competently apply skills and comprehensive knowledge in global aquaculture to the profession
• apply knowledge of aquaculture nutrition, water quality, reproduction, production quality and health for the management of global aquaculture operations
• apply numerical skills relevant to aquaculture production
• communicate effectively complex aquaculture concepts to a variety of audiences
• work and learn independently.

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Science (Aquaculture), a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

Core - Year 1 topics

27 units comprising:

BIOL8702 Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8732 Aquaculture System and Technology GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8751 Aquaculture Nutrition and Water Quality GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8741 Experimental Design and Statistics for Biology GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8831 Aquaculture Reproduction GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8832 Aquaculture Health and Product Quality GE (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics

9 units selected from:

BIOL8711 Ecology GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8722 Conservation and Ecological Genetics GE(4.5 units)
BIOL8731 Plant Biology GE (4.5 units) 
BIOL8742 Disease and Immunology GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8752 Fisheries, Biology Science and Management GE (4.5 units)
BUSN9022 Marketing Principles (4.5 units)
BUSN9113 Accounting Fundamentals (4.5 units)
BUSN9116 Economics for Business (4.5 units)
BUSN9229 Sustainability and Ethics in Management (4.5 units)
BUSN9248 Managing People (4.5 units)
BUSN9262 Advanced Recruitment and Selection (4.5 units)
BUSN9263 Performance Management and Rewards (4.5 units)
BUSN9264 Consumer Behaviour (4.5 units)
ENGR9704 Engineering Management (4.5 units)
ENVH7722 Food Safety (4.5 units)
ENVH7742 Microbiology and Communicable Diseases (4.5 units)
STEM8001 Research Methods and Professional Skills (4.5 units)