The master study course aquaculture is a research-oriented university study course of a total duration of 2 years. It teaches core competences regarding marine fish aquaculture, sea-ranching and the aquaculture of aquatic algae. In addition, competences on economics, fishery protection law, environmental law and nature conservation law as well as technical plant operation are elaborated, enabling the students to process complex problems regarding aquaculture development and implementation.
The interdisciplinary study program involves seven faculties of the University of Rostock as well as specialized non-university institutions.
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (AUF)
- Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (IEF)
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology (MSF)
- Faculty of Law (JUF)
- Interdisciplinary Faculty (INF)
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MNF)
- Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences (WSF)
- Federal Agency for Nature Conservation Island Vilm (BfN)
- German Maritime Museum Stralsund (DMM)
- Friedrich Loeffler Institute for Animal Health Riems Island (FLI)
- Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Institute for Baltic Sea Fisheries Rostock (vTI)
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Dummerstorf (FBN)
- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW)
Focus areas:
- Under the focus area biology , courses such as statistical evaluation methods, water analysis, fish diseases and parasites, GIS and various e-learning modules are available.
- The technical focus area includes knowledge of computer science, control systems, automation, turbomachinery, materials and the calculation of sea-based aquaculture facilities.
- In the focal area economics knowledge of the business administration, organization and personnel, marketing, accounting and controlling are acquired, which prepare for a later operating career. This specialization can not be selected by applicants with a first degree in business administration.
The standard period of study is four semesters, the course starts in the winter term. Depending on the demand and our capacities, an application for the summer term is also possible.
The master program is divided in compulsory and elective modules. Each student needs to complete 9 compulsory modules with at least 66 credit points and elective modules with at least 30 credite points.
Internship: An obligatory internship has to be completed during the 3rd semester. Additionally, we encourage all students to take part in extra internships for further special training.
Compulsory Elective Modules:
The compulsory elective modules open up the possibility for students to organize their studies themselves according to their own abilities, interests and desired occupational areas of employment.
The aquaculture master's program offers compulsory elective modules in the areas of biology, business management and technology. The module offer is complemented by two compulsory elective modules dealing with legal questions.
At the beginning of the course, students choose one of the three areas of focus and occupy at least 24 points of performance in this module. In total, compulsory elective modules have a minimum of 30 credit points.
Compulsory Elective Module Biology
- Wastewater Engineering
- Special Topics in Aquaculture - Introductory Statistics, Design and Analysis of Fieldand Laboratory Experiments
- e-learning to aquaculture
- Fundamentals of Marine Matter Cycles
- Diseases and Parasites of Aquatic Organisms
- Stable Isotopes in Agricultural Research and Practice
- Water Quality
Compulsory Elective Module Business Management
- Principles of Business Studies: Organizational and Human Resources Management
- General Business Studies: Strategic Marketing
- Introduction to Business Administration
- Financial Accounting
- Cost Accounting
Compulsory Elective Module Technology
- Basics of Computer Science
- HydraulicTurbomachines
- Control Systems / Automation
- Geoinformatics/GIS
- Lightweight Construction Materials
Other Optional Free Modules
- Private Economic Law
- Economics of Animal Husbandry and Animal Breeding
Internship and Potential Employers:
In cooperation with the Chair of Aquaculture, different employers are offering internships. Apart from private enterprises, public research institutions are interested in our students (e.g. the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research in Warnemünde, the von Thünen-Institute in Rostock and the Max-Rubner Institute in Hamburg). According to the progress of the internship, the given task may become the foundation for the Master's thesis and may help making first career choices.
Application procedure
his degree program is admission-free, so the number of study places is not limited. An application is not required. Those who fulfill the entry requirements can enroll directly in the degree program ("matriculate"). You may enroll from August 1. until September 30. online.
Prospective students for the Aquaculture study program have to submit a letter of motivation and proof of any internships they may have in this area with the enrollment documents.
In your letter of motivation please note which of the three possible priority areas (biology, technology, business) you would like to choose. By the end of the first week of lectures a binding decision has to be made for one of the three priority areas.
Proof of German language skills: Foreign prospective students with a university entrance qualification acquired in Germany do not need a language certificate. Foreign prospective students with a university entrance qualification acquired abroad must prove their German language skills. In order to do so, proof of at least the following level in accordance with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required for this program: B2
Grant opportunities
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Learning outcomes
Our students develop competences for the following fields of activity:
- Working as a scientist in the research and development of the different sectors of marine and limnic aquacultures (public and private institutions),
- Leading positions in development-orientated sectors of the aquaculture for different aquatic organisms,
- Maintain and evaluate production processes in the marine and limnic aquaculture,
- Working in administration offices connected to the aspects of the production of aquatic organisms and fishing.
Objective:
The master's course Aquaculture is a science orientated university program with a duration of two years, where core competences of marine fish aquaculture, sea-ranching and the aquaculture of algae is taught. Further, knowledge in economical sciences, fishing, nature conservation legislations and the construction of technical facilities is impaired. Thus, our students are enabled to work on complex problems that occur in the development and application of Aquaculture.
Prerequisites
Interested students need a Bachelor's degree in biology, agricultural sciences or in engineering sciences (preferably mechanical engineering or plant constructions). The degree should be graded with a 2.6 or better.
Students also need to be able to communicate in the English language due to the international orientation of the programme. The B2-standard according to the European framework of reference for languages proved to be sufficient.
Foreign prospective students with a university entrance qualification acquired in Germany do not need a language certificate. Foreign prospective students with a university entrance qualification acquired abroad must prove their German language skills. In order to do so, proof of at least the following level in accordance with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required for this program: B2
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