AQUACULTURE COURSES
Certificate in Sustainable Marine Aquaculture

Course Director
Jennifer Bender
jennifer.bender@umb.edu
Institution
UMASS Boston
Location
Courses are delivered 100% online
Cost
US$500 per module
Certificate Description
This certificate program comprises five, 14 week, introductory college level modules/courses on Sustainable Marine Aquaculture. The program is run via University of Boston Massachusetts. The modules are taken individually and can build into a certificate program.
The modules enable individuals to quickly gain basic knowledge in Aquaculture subjects for entry into the workforce. It also provides professional development options for individuals seeking to change positions, retrain for a new career, and especially for international workforce development, to obtain US institution credentials.
The modules can be taken individually and in any sequence, however a total of three modules must be completed to earn Certificate Level Certification from UMASS. A Certificate of Attendance is provided for each completed module.
Want more information? Please email the course director: jennifer.bender@umb.edu
Modules available
The certificate program currently comprises 4 modules, with a 5th coming in 2023.
Modules 114 and 134 and 215 are running in January 2023 and can be booked online. Click the “Apply Here” button to go to the sign up page, and register as a Guest Student.
114 - Sustainable Marine Aquaculture: Biology (Sept 2022)
This module provides an introductory overview of marine aquaculture with a specific focus on biology. Students will explore the essential aspects of fish and invertebrate biology including anatomy, physiology and environmental requirements. Topics covered include:
- Fish biology: Anatomy & physiology
- Fish biology: Environmental requirements
- Fish respiration and osmoregulation
- Nutrition & fish health
- Fish biology – Life stages
- Crustacean anatomy, physiology & environmental requirements
- Crustacean physiology: Gas exchange, reproduction, life stages, health & disease
- Bivalve mollusc anatomy, physiology & environmental requirements
- Bivalve mollusc reproduction, life stages, health & disease
- Anatomy, physiology, life-stages & health of other aquaculture species
- Aquatic biology and aquaculture
124 - Aquaculture Production (Sept 2022)
- Principles of aquaculture production
- Environmental requirements of production
- Invertebrate Aquaculture Production
- Land Based Systems
- Cage Culture Systems
- Offshore aquaculture
- Recirculating Aquaculture
- Larval Rearing
- Genetics and Production
134 - The Business of Marine Aquaculture
- Business Plan & Business Plan presentation
- Leasing, Licensing and Regulation
- Accounting
- Best Management Practices: Operation, Facilities and Equipment
- Site selection
- Harvest and handling
- Operations: Food Safety. HACCP
- Risk and Insurance
- Basic Marine Safety (online boating class)
- Business Plan Development
- Scalability
215 - Aquaculture Nutrition (Jan 2023)
- Feeding and digestion – invertebrates
- Feeding and digestion – fish
- Proteins and Nutrition
- Lipids and Nutrition
- Carbohydrates and Nutrition
- Nutrient sources and requirements – invertebrates
- Nutrient sources and requirements – fish
- Feed production
- Feed management
- Feed sustainability
216 - Sustainable Seaweed Aquaculture (coming 2023)
- Overview of Seaweed
- Biology of Seaweed
- History of Seaweed
- Uses for Seaweed
- Seaweed Sustainability
- Seaweed Sustainability and Food
- Seaweeds in the Wild and Aquaculture
- Regulatory environment
- Farming Seaweed
- Processing Seaweed
- New Frontiers
Entry Requirements
Anyone with a high school diploma (or equivalent) interested in a career in the aquaculture industry.
If you have any questions, please email the course director: jennifer.bender@umb.edu