SYLLABUS FOR ZO 586 AQUACULTURE

OFFERED: Fall Semesters, alternate years (even-numbered).

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Craig V. Sullivan
 

Department of Biology

Office: Room 242 David Clark Laboratories

Office hours: by appointment

Telephone: 515-7186

Mail to: craig_sullivan@ncsu.edu

PREREQUISITES: None. Open to graduate students and junior and senior undergraduates with permission of instructor.

CEDIT HOURS: 3

DESCRIPTION: This graduate level course examines principles of aquaculture, the farming of aquatic organisms, including marine species. Aquaculture is the fastest growing form of agriculture in the Unites States. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations predicts that half of the seafood consumed by the next generation will be farmed. This course emphasizes American aquaculture of fish and invertebrates, although culture of aquatic plants is discussed. The course is arranged in three parts. In Part I, we begin by reviewing general factors important to all aquaculture operations. These include: 1) environmental concerns, 2) water quality dynamics and management, 3) general characteristics and operation of aquaculture systems, and 4) legal and regulatory concerns. In Part II of the course, we cover topics common to all livestock and horticulture operations: 1) reproduction, 2) genetics, 3) nutrition, 4) health management, and 5) product processing and food quality issues. Part III of the course nvolves case studies of the major forms of aquaculture practised in North Carolina. Lectures are given by the instructor as well as leading scientists, attorneys, commercial farmers, and government officials from throughout the region. The course makes heavy use of video recordings, slide presentations, and other audio/visual aids. Graduates of the course are expected to have working knowledge of the fundamentals of aquaculture as practised in the southeastern United States. Several have gone on to work at commercial fish farms.

TEXT: None. Readings, assigned weekly in class, will be from various textbooks, library reserve materials, and handouts, or they will be available for purchase from a local copy center. Reading assignments are required and should be completed in advance of the correlated lecture.

GRADING POLICIES: There is a mid-term examination (100 points), a 20 minute mini-symposium presentation (100 points) and a final examination (200 points). The mini-symposium presentation is on an aquaculture topic of the student's choice, with permission of the instructor. A term paper may be substituted for the mini-symposium presentation. The final examination is comprehensive, although it emphasizes the second half of the course. Grading will be on a strict percentage basis. No graded quizzes or homework assignments are given. Absences from class and examinations must be excused in advance with the exception of documented illness or emergency. Unexcused late term papers or presentations will carry a penalty of 20 percentage points per week. Incomplete grades must be cleared by mid-term of the semester following enrollment.

LECTURE TOPICS:

PART I

Introduction
Environmental Requirements I
Environmental Requirements II
Water Quality Dynamics and Management
System Site Selection and Design
Commercial Systems: Operations
Aquaculture Leasing, Permits & Environmental Law
Regulation of Aquaculture: Government and Services

PART II

Reproduction and its Control
Genetics and Stock Improvement
Diets and Nutrition
Growth: Bioenergetics, Environment and Control
Health & Disease Management in Aquaculture
Food Science Issues in Aquaculture
American Aquaculture: Government, Science & Business

PART III

Ornamental Species
Managing Farm Ponds for Fishing
Hybrid Striped Bass Culture: Status & Perspectives
Catfish Culture: North Carolina Operations
Red Drum Aquaculture and Stock Enhancement
Moutain Trout Culture: Status and Constraints
Flounder Culture: Case Study of New Cultivars
Aquaculture of Bivalves and Soft-Shell Crabs
Crawfish Aquaculture

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