Applied Ichthyology

Code:

RM06

Acronym:

IA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Marine Biology and Ecology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S (of 16-09-2024 to 14-02-2025)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Aquatic Production
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Marine Sciences - Marine Resources

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCMRM	9	Oficial Plan 2018	1	-	5	50	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

One of the optional Curricular Units (UC) of this 2nd Cycle of Studies (CE) is the "Applied Ichthyology" (IA), which is part of the 1st year, 1st semester, in both areas of specialisation, and whose contents collide with the know-how of the Ichthyology Laboratory of the ICBAS Aquatic Production Department. In this sense, and taking into account the context of this academic training and the most current challenges, the syllabus of this UC will address three strongly interconnected disciplinary areas related to: (i) Biology and Ecology of Fish Species Conservation; (ii) Sustainable Aquaculture; and (iii) Rational Exploitation of Aquatic Living Resources, which are at the intersection of the "Sustainable Development Goals", the concept of "One Health" and "Ocean Literacy".

Learning outcomes and competences

In this UC, learning outcomes will be defined according to the students and based on strategies that promote creativity, autonomy, initiative and critical thinking. The content and teaching practices will be comprehensive, flexible, inclusive and motivating, tailored to each student's individual profile and the needs of the labour market. The teaching-learning process will be adjusted to the student's social and interpersonal skills and competences. The focus will be on: i) learning that combines knowledge, skills and personal and socio-cultural competences; ii) the contextualisation and interdisciplinarity of knowledge; iii) the needs of the labour market and employment; and iv) the promotion of learning through different methods. To this end, models based on problem-based and project-based learning will be used, with recourse to various educational parameters, such as teaching and assessment methods and tools, teaching materials and the design of learning environments. In short, the acquisition (‘knowledge’), understanding (‘skills’) and application (‘competences’) of the knowledge imparted in AI will enable students to exercise various professional activities with a strong scope in the area of fish ecology and biology.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Students should have previous knowledge of vertebrate biology or zoology, usual UC in higher education biological sciences courses, which will be the majority of candidates' previous training expertise for this course, trying to avoid overlapping of this UC's contents with previous courses in the 1st course (e.g. Aquatic Environmental Sciences). There will be a cross-curricular articulation with the UC of the present CE, in particular with the "Seminar in Aquaculture and Fisheries" and with "Marine Biology and Ecology".

Program

The topic of Fish Biology and Ecology will focus on the classification and phylogeny of the different taxonomic groups, anatomical and physiological bases, life cycles, particularly of migratory species, problems associated with invasive alien species, their impact on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem services, and management and conservation measures for native fish species. The Aquaculture theme will focus on current production systems, knowledge of the life cycle of cultivable species, improving cultivation conditions, the concept of circular economy, and measures for the sustainable development of fish farming. Finally, in the field of fisheries, there will be a debate on the current situation of the main world and national fisheries, problems of overfishing, excessive consumption of fish in the Mediterranean diet, the effect of climate change on spawning, recruitment and nursery areas, culminating in the measures needed for rational and sustainable fisheries management.

Mandatory literature

Burton D, Burton M. ; Essential Fish Biology : Diversity , Structure , and Function, Oxford University Press, 2017, 2017. ISBN: 9780198785552
Cochrane KL, Garcia SM; ; A Fishery Manager's Guidebook, Wiley-Blackwell, 2009. ISBN: 9781405170857
Hart PJB, Reynolds JD; Handbook of Fish Biology and Fisheries, Blackwell Science Ltd, 2002. ISBN: 9780632064823
Helfman GS, Colette BB, Facey DE, Bowen BW; The Diversity of Fishes: Biology, Evolution, and Ecology, Wiley-Blackwell, 1997. ISBN: 978-1-4051-2494-2
Hickman C, Keen S, Eisenhour D, Larson A , I‘Anson H; Integrated Principles of Zoology, McGraw-Hill, 2020. ISBN: 9781260205190
Moyle PB, Cech JJ ; Fishes: An Introduction to Ichthyology, Pearson, 2015. ISBN: 978-0131008472
Royce WF; Introduction to the Practice of Fishery Science, Academic Press, 1996. ISBN: 978-0-12-600952-1

Complementary Bibliography

Cadrin SE, Froedland KD, Waldman JR; ;Stock identification methods: applications in fishery science, Elsevier, 2005. ISBN: 978-0-12-397003-9
Lucas MC, Baras E, Thom TJ, Duncan A, Slavík O; Migration of Freshwater Fishes, Blackwell Science Ltd, 2001. ISBN: 9780632057542
Morais P, Daverat F; An Introduction to Fish Migration, CRC Press, 2016. ISBN: 9780429082474
Ling N, Williams PA; Invasive Species Management: A Handbook of Principles and Techniques, Oxford Academic , 2009. ISBN: 9780199216321

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical (T, 2h00/week) and P (P, 1h30/week) classes will be held face-to-face, using student-centred teaching-learning methodologies focused on everyday problems and, whenever possible, in a flipped classroom model.

In the theoretical sessions, we will try, whenever possible, to complement the information with face-to-face or distance lectures on the topics covered in the syllabus by national or international experts.

In the practical classes, concrete problems will be discussed using international publications, as well as study visits to aquaculture farms (e.g. Flatlantic), the seafood processing industry (e.g. Algaplus), fish auctions and fishing ports (e. g. Port of Leixões and Port of Porto). g. Port of Leixões and Docapesca in Matosinhos) and public aquariums, particularly those working in the area of conservation and preservation of ichthyological fauna (e.g. Aguda Coastal Station, Minho River Aquamuseum and Mora Fluviarium).

Modern teaching-learning methodologies will be favoured, as well as a continuous assessment model based on multiple student outputs and in accordance with the current teaching regulations.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Teste	25,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	50,00
Frequência das aulas	50,00
Elaboração de projeto	25,00
Trabalho de campo	10,00
Total:	135,00

Eligibility for exams

In accordance with the academic regulations in force at the University of Porto for the current academic year.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification of the curricular unit results from the arithmetic average of the theoretical component (50%) carried out by the final exam, together with the practical-laboratory component (50%), whose evaluation is made in a continuous evaluation regime, and obtained through the realization and defense in the classroom environment of a group work (25%), and a written pratical assessement (25%). The student must obtain a minimum grade (9.5 points) for each component (T and P), to obtain approval for the discipline.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not applicable.

Classification improvement

By exam only, and only for the theoretical component.

Observations

Not applicable.