Aquaculture study line

From a global perspective the aquaculture trade is one of the fastest growing primary industries. Within a few years, the aquaculture-based production of fish and shellfish – in terms of both volume and value – will exceed capture based production.

MSc's with a specialization in aquaculture are needed to ensure the continued growth of the aquaculture industry, which must be achieved through the pursuance of technological improvements and advances in every aspect from facility design to feed manufacture.

An MSc with an aquaculture specialization from DTU can account for the principles and methods used in dimensioning and designing land-based recirculating aquaculture systems, with an emphasis on the use of green technology.

At the same time, the curriculum ensures that graduates have a strong biological understanding of fish in aquaculture, possibilities and limitations in marine fish farming at sea or on land, sourcing water, sustainable use of waste products and much more.

Mandatory courses

A variety of courses allows you to put together a curriculum to suit your particular needs, but should include:

• 25316 Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
• 25322 Advanced Course in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
• 25326 Fish Physiology in Aquaculture
• 25321 Fish Nutrition and Bioenergetics

In addition, at least 10 ECTS should be chosen from:

• 25315 Genetic Methods in Aquaculture
• 25331 Exercises in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
• 25332 Business Development and Innovation
• 25333 Aquatic Systems Engineering
• 25334 Genomic methods in breeding and management of aquatic living resources
• 25317 Diseases and Veterinary Aspects related to Aquaculture
• 28434 Membrane Technology
• 41312 Basic fluid mechanics
• 12333 Water Resources Management
• 25323 Topics in Aquatic Sciences and special courses that relate to topics of aquaculture can, after approval from the DTU Aqua study board, also be included in the 10 ECTS.

Elective courses that can in addition be relevant for aquaculture specialization include: 02411, 12104, 12121, 12109, 12108, 12138, 12237, 41312, and 28855 (not an exclusive list).

Obtained competences

An MSc with an aquaculture specialization has a strong foundation in recirculating aquaculture systems, from water intake to effluent. 

With a supporting curriculum on marine production systems, nutrition, bioenergetics and physiology, candidates are equipped to play a key role in the sustainable aquaculture industry of the future. 

The MSc graduate with a focus in Aquaculture

• can account for the challenges associated with minimizing environmental impact from aquaculture activities (including nutrient discharge and end-of-pipe treatment), understand significant water quality parameters and their effect, and identify the best possible technology for use in recirculation systems for aquaculture
• can account for the nutritional physiology of fish in aquaculture as well as for the husbandry requirements in relation to aquaculture production and welfare
• can contribute to the development of infrastructure and technology, drawing on technological expertise and knowledge in the field of aquaculture
• can critically assess all aspects of a life cycle in a given aquaculture production
• can plan and design, using the state of the art technology, a recirculating aquaculture facility that takes into account both water quality requirements in production and environmental impact issues
• can design, implement, optimize and evaluate technological solutions in the field of aquaculture 

Possible courses at the aquaculture study line

The following examples apply for a study start in September. 
See more options in the curriculum of Aquatic Science and Technology