Challenge and Opportunity to Challenge and Opportunity to Tertiary Aquaculture EducationTertiary Aquaculture Education

Jian Qin Jian Qin Flinders UniversityFlinders University

AustraliaAustralia

Universities offer tertiary Universities offer tertiary aquaculture degrees in Australiaaquaculture degrees in Australia

University of TasmaniaUniversity of TasmaniaJames Cook University James Cook University

Flinders UniversityFlinders University

Aquaculture at Flinders Aquaculture at Flinders UniversityUniversity

South Australia’s only degree course in South Australia’s only degree course in aquacultureaquaculture

Three-year degree program, plus the Three-year degree program, plus the option of Honours in 4th yearoption of Honours in 4th year

Industry placement in commercial Industry placement in commercial aquaculture venturesaquaculture ventures

Articulation with TAFE Diploma in this Articulation with TAFE Diploma in this degreedegree

No prerequisite subjects required for entryNo prerequisite subjects required for entry

Talk outlineTalk outline

History of BTech Aquaculture History of BTech Aquaculture degree at Flindersdegree at Flinders

Course managementCourse management Postgraduate surveyPostgraduate survey Current aquaculture curriculum Current aquaculture curriculum Future directionFuture direction

The degree program started in 1997 at Flinders University

Number of student intake per year: 25High school graduatesTAFE studentsTertiary student transferMature age students

I. History

Aquaculture student enrolment (1997-2006)

26 2925

31 3328 25

29 28

16

26

53

7167

82

72 7377 79

59

27

66

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Mean

Year

Nu

mb

er start

total

Graduation rate Aquaculture = 55%

Faculty (all degree): 57%

Number of graduation (2000-2005)

26

1321

149 11

16

94

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Mean Total

Year

Nu

mb

er

Total vs 1st preference

383

302 293

239253

225

180 178 168

106

151 139119

87 86 73 59 5839 28

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Year

Nu

mb

er

Total Pref

1st Pref

1. Aquaculture Course Advisory CommitteeObjective: seek advice and opinions from outside experts on the strategic plan for the aquaculture degree program

2. Aquaculture Course Management CommitteeObjective: implement teaching plans

3. Aquaculture Staff/Student Consultative CommitteeObjective: get feedback from students on aquaculture teaching

II. Aquaculture Course Management

Course Coordinator responsible for the planning, coordinating and assessing the course curriculum and course matters

course content managing student matterscoordination of staffthe use of physical facilities and resources

Topic CoordinatorThe academic staff member responsible for a topic

Aquaculture Course Delivery

III. Result of III. Result of Postgraduate SurveyPostgraduate Survey

We sent out questionnaires to 77 studentsWe sent out questionnaires to 77 students We received a 30% reply rateWe received a 30% reply rate

Are you currently working Are you currently working in either a paid or unpaid in either a paid or unpaid

capacity?capacity?

96%

4%

Yes

No

Is your current work in the Is your current work in the Aquaculture Industry? Aquaculture Industry?

52%48% Yes

No

Jobs in the Aquaculture Jobs in the Aquaculture Industry Industry

Percent

Lab Technician 20.0

Education 6.7

Development Officer 20.0

Production Manager 20.0

Environmental Management

6.7

Government/Policy Planning

6.7

Other 20.0

Total 100.0

Income DistributionIncome Distribution

Working in Aqua Industry

Income P.A. Yes No

Less than $10,000 22.2%

$10,000 - $20,000 22.2%

$20,000 - $30,000 22.2%

$30,000 - $40,000 20.0% 11.1%

$40,000 - $50,000 50.0% 11.1%

More than $50,000 30.0% 11.1%

Total 100.0% 100.0%

How would you rate your satisfaction How would you rate your satisfaction with the Aquaculture degree as a with the Aquaculture degree as a

whole?whole?

74%

4%

22%

Satisfied

Neutral

Dissatisfied

Sem Units Topic CodeIntroduction to Aquaculture 1 4.5 BIOL1201Biological Sciences 1A 1 4.5 BIOL1101Introduction to Chemistry 1A 1 4.5 CHEM1201

or Chemistry 1A 1 4.5 CHEM1101 Professional Skills for Aqua 1 4.5 AQUA1211

Biological Sciences 1B 2 4.5 BIOL1102Introduction to Chemistry 1B 2 4.5 CHEM1202

or Chemistry 1B 2 4.5 CHEM1102Elective 2 9.0Total 36

IV. Current Aquaculture Curriculum Year One

Sem Units Topic CodeAqua Procedures & Production 1&2 6.0 AQUA2111Aquaculture Feed and Nutrition 1 3.0 AQUA2201Statistics for Biology 1 3.0 STAT2304Laboratory Skills for Biologists 1 3.0 BIOL2101Animal Disease and Defence 1 3.0 BIOL2341Elective Topic 1 3.0

Water Quality Management 2 3.0 AQUA2221Aquaculture Practice 2 3.0 AQUA2131Biology Cultured Aqua Organisms 2 3.0 BIOL2302Elective Topics 2 6.0

Total 36

Current Aquaculture Curriculum Year Two

Sem Units Topic Code

Aquatic Animal Reproduction 1 3.0 BIOL3301Aqua Business Management & Law 1 6.0 AQUA 3231Aqua Research Project 1&2 6.0 AQUA 3111Elective Topics 1 6.0

Aquatic Animal Health & Hygiene 2 3.0 AQUA3121Applied Genetic in Aquaculture & Fisheries 2 3.0 BIOL3302Elective Topics 2 9.0 Total 36

Current Aquaculture Curriculum Year Three

Topics %____________________________Niche (Aqua) topics 30Other core topics 40Elective topics 30____________________________Total 100

Overall aquaculture course structure

• Liaise with aquaculture high school and establish exchange programs

• Improve graduate’s generic skills in science and professional skills in aquaculture

• increase the program flexibility by including more elective topics

• solicit opinions from the industry and produce skillful and capable workforces for the aquaculture industry

• Develop postgraduate courses to strengthen specialised skills.

V. Future direction

Comments or Questions?Comments or Questions?

Teaching facilitiesTeaching facilities

Algal roomAlgal room Zooplankton room Zooplankton room Four aquarium roomsFour aquarium rooms

Salt water or freshwaterSalt water or freshwater 6 recirculating tanks and 12 outdoor tanks 6 recirculating tanks and 12 outdoor tanks

will be constructed on campus by August will be constructed on campus by August 2006.2006.

FutureFuture

Reduce aquaculture niche degree topicsReduce aquaculture niche degree topics Current AQUA topics are 61.5 unitsCurrent AQUA topics are 61.5 units Other niche degrees have about 24-unit niche core Other niche degrees have about 24-unit niche core

topicstopics Open more aquaculture topics to other degreeOpen more aquaculture topics to other degree Keep BTech Aquaculture student enrolment at Keep BTech Aquaculture student enrolment at

>20 per year>20 per year Develop postgraduate courses in aquaculture Develop postgraduate courses in aquaculture

Your inputYour input

Skill needs by the aquaculture Skill needs by the aquaculture industryindustry

The future of Aquaculture education The future of Aquaculture education at Flinders?at Flinders?