The Graduate Certificate in Science (Aquaculture) is an 18-unit program comprising only coursework offered by the School of Biological Science within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The Graduate Certificate is built within the 36-unit Graduate Diploma in Science (Aquaculture) and the 72-unit Master of Science (Aquaculture) and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the two or three awards.

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold a degree in any relevant discipline of science or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. The Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

The Graduate Certificate 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 theoretical and technical knowledge in aquaculture and specialised skills in global aquaculture farming and practice;
  • applying knowledge in nutrition, water quality reproduction, or production quality and health issues relevant to global aquaculture;
  • understanding of aquaculture operations through a combination of theoretical coursework and technical practicals;
  • training for independent thinking and problem solving skills in aquaculture

Learning outcomes 

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

  • apply specialised skills and comprehensive knowledge in global aquaculture;
  • apply key knowledge in aquaculture nutrition, water quality and reproduction, or production quality and health for the management of global aquaculture operations to the profession;
  • work independently and as a member of a team for a common goal
  • work and learn independently
  • communicate aquaculture concepts to a variety of audiences

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Science (Aquaculture), a student must complete 18 units with a grade of P or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

Core - Year 1 topics

18 units selected from:

BIOL8702 Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8732 Aquaculture System and Technology GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8741 Experimental Design and Statistics for Biology GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8742 Disease and Immunology GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8751 Aquaculture Nutrition and Water Quality GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8752 Fisheries Biology, Science and Management GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8831 Aquaculture Reproduction GE (4.5 units)
BIOL8832 Aquaculture Health and Product Quality GE (4.5 units)