It is a core  third-year subject. The main objective is to introduce the student into the bases of the production and health management of the main animal aquatic species. .

Following these studies, the students should:

a) Know the main characteristics of the aquatic environment and understand the influence in the physiology, the culture system and the health status of the  aquatic species and  the impact on the production, health and welfare of animals .

b) Know and understand the characteristics and diversity of the main aquatic production systems.

c) Know and identify the most relevant diseases in aquatic/aquaculture species, their diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

This subject includes activities carried out in English, identified in this teaching guide as DA (English Teaching/Docència en Anglès)

Main skills

• Analyze, synthesize, solve problems and make and take decisions.

• Communicate the information obtained during the professional practice with fluency, speaking &writing, with other colleagues, authorities and with the society .

• English communication skills .

• Diagnose the different animal diseases, individually and in groups. Knowledge of preventive measures, with special focus on zoonotic diseases and notifiable diseases .

• Diagnose the most common diseases by using different general and instrumental techniques.

• Carry out a necropsy, including the description of the lesions found, sampling, storage, transport and processing

• Collect, preserve and send all kinds of samples with the corresponding report.

Learning outcomes

• Analyze, synthesize, solve problems and make/take decisions.

• Communicate during the professional practice in a fluid way, orally and in writing, with other colleagues, authorities and society in general.

• Demonstrate knowledge of English to communicate both orally and in writing in contexts.

• Describe the strategies of prevention, diagnosis and control of the main diseases in aquaculture according to the rearing system .

• Prepare anatomo-pathological reports specifying the concise and precise description of the pathological findings, and always include a lesional diagnosis.

• Identify the lesions  of the domestic and wild aquatic species.

• Obtain the appropriate samples from an animal or a group of animals, as well as send and process the samples to the laboratory.

• Recognize the relevance of the aquatic environment on the physiology and health status of the aquatic animals and the effect on production systems.

• Assess the relevance and the opportunity of necropsy as a method for the diagnosis of diseases.

• Assess the importance of infectious and parasitic diseases in the field of animal health, public health and animal production.

Content

“Unless the requirements enforced by the health authorities demand a prioritization or reduction of these contents.”

UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION to AQUACULTURE and ICTIOPATOLOGY

Topic 1. Introduction to Aquaculture (TE)

Living  aquatic resources: fisheries and aquaculture. Current situation and future perspectives of aquaculture. Main species worldwide and European. Types of rearing system. Phases in the culture of mollusks, crustaceans and fish. General characteristics.

Topic 2. Importance of the aquatic environment in the production and health of animals. (TE) (DA)

The aquatic environment versus the terrestrial environment; the role of the veterinarian. Physical-chemical parameters of water; relevance according to the environment.  Changes in the conditions of the environment and effects in the production.

Topic 3: Anatomy and general physiopathology of aquatic organisms (TE) (DA)

Bases of anatomy and the physiology of aquatic organisms related to the environment. Specific aspects: ectothermia, osmoregulation, locomotion, excretion, reproduction and others. General physiopathological aspects related to well-being and diseases.

Practices

Practice 1. Analysis of the physical-chemical parameters of water. (2h) (PLAB)

UNIT 2: PRODUCTIVE ASPECTS - ENVIRONMENTAL in AQUACULTURE

Topic 4. Production of mollusks and crustaceans (TE)

Biological characteristics of importance in the production and problems. Main species of culture in bivalve mollusks (mussels, oysters and clams), gastropods (abalone) and cephalopods (octopus) and crustaceans (shrimp).

Topic 5. Fish production: Nutrition - Feed (TE)

External and internalanatomy. Physiology of the digestive system. Nutritional requirements Larval feeding: problematic. Feeding juvenile phase and fattening. Feed and feeding guidelines. Qualityof the final product: substitution of fish meals and oils, harvesting effect.

Topic 6. Fish production: rearing systems main species (TE)

General characteristics of the various phases of the production  in the most important species (salmonids, gilthead seabream, sea bass and turbot). Situation of the aquaculture production and environmental problems. New species (meagre, tuna, panga,, sole, eel, ...): current situation.

Practices and seminars

Practice 2. - Feeding in aquaculture (2 h) (PLABEN)

Classroom practice 1. Presentation and discussion of self-learning work. (2h) (PAUL)

UNIT 3:HEALTH , ENVIRONMENTAL and ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS of relevant species .

Topic 7. General aspects of aquaculture health management (TE) (DA)

Basic aspects of the prevention and control of diseases in aquatic systems; introduction to the most specific aspects of therapeutics and immunoprophylaxis in fish.

Topic 8. Main viral and bacterial diseases in fish (TE) (DA)

Main groups of pathologies due to viruses and bacteria that affect marine and continental fish farming; especially those that affect species produced in the Mediterranean geographical area, ornamental species or that are noticeable

Topic 9. Main fungal, parasitic and technopathological diseases in fish (TE) (DA)

Main groups of pathologies by fungi and parasites that affect marine and continental fish farming; 

Topic 10. Diseases in other aquatic species (TE) (DA)

Main diseases of the species of interest (economic, epidemiological, legislation) worldwide and the Mediterranean, both mollusks and crustaceans. Brief review of the main diseases worldwide that affect other aquatic organisms such as amphibians and marine mammals.

Item 11. Legislation on fish health and welfare in fish (TE) (DA)

Legislation on diseases of aquatic species. Introduction on the most important aspects related to behavior, management and welfare in fish, both for production and for research and experimentation.

Topic 12. Biosecurity in the management, production and products of aquatic origin. (TE) (DA) Introduction to zoonoses transmissible by aquaculture animals. Introduction to toxic phytoplankton and toxins in molluscs. Toxic fishes Exotic species and environmental impact

Practices and seminars

Seminar 1. Conference - Roundtable: Role of the veterinarian in aquaculture "(1h) (SEM)

Classroom practice 2. Presentation - Discussion of clinical cases (2h) (PAUL) (DA)

Practice 3. Diagnostic protocol and basic management in fish (I): Anesthesia and Management (2 h) (PLAB)

Practice 4. Diagnostic protocol and basic management in fish (II): Necropsy and basic diagnostic techniques (PLAB) (2 h)

 

Methodology

Learning is based on the student's own work. The mission of the teaching staff is to accompany them in this task by transmitting knowledge and making information available or by showing them the available resources . At the same time, teacher has to tutor and supervise this process so that the learning is carried out efficiently. 

The activities planned to achieve this goal are:

1.- Work methodology based on classroom classes (lectures) with participation of the students .

The student acquires the knowledge of the subject attending the master classes, participating in them and complementing them with the personal study of the topics explained. This work allows students to focus on basic knowledge, emphasizing the most relevant aspects. These classes are complemented with the knowledge taken from the practical sessions, seminars and other activities. Participation and interaction of the students during the same will be enhanced. In this case, some of the participatory lectures (see programming) will be in English (DA).

2.- Methods oriented to the discussion and / or teamwork.

Teamwork or working in groups is a basic tool to encourage the student an active role in learning: it increases their motivation, promotes attitudes of initiative, improves the degree of reasoning and understanding of concepts and procedures, creating at the same time a relationship positive social These methods include sessions of laboratory practices, seminars and especially case sessions that will be developed in parallel to the lectures. As mentioned above, these sessions are a complement that helps to achieve and apply the knowledge that is taught in the lectures.

Different activities are contemplated within this method:

2.1- Laboratory practices

These are done in small groups and each practice to be done is intended to work on practical and application aspects related to the knowledge taught in the lectures.

2.1.1.- Analysis of the physical-chemical parameters of water

By carrying out the main methodologies of basic laboratory analysis of the physical-chemical parameters of fresh and marine water (Tª, salinity, pH and ammonium, among others) and the interpretation and discussion of the results, the student should be able to understand the effects associated to the  modification of the different physical-chemical parameters of water in  the physiology and health of aquatic animals. Emphasis will be placed on the correct oxygen determination of a sample, since it is one of the most important parameters.

2.1.2 - Food used in aquaculture

Students will become familiar with the different food types available, depending on the species and the culture phase(larval, juvenile and ongrowing). At the same time, they will become aware of the importance and implication of the technological characteristics of feed intended for aquatic species.

2.1.3 and 4.- Diagnostic protocol and basic management in fish

The students will be responsible for performing a basic procedure of anesthesia, necropsy, sampling, performing basic rapid diagnostic techniques and basic differential diagnosis in Ichthyopathology performed on real biological samples. This practice will be done with fish kept in aquariums. In this practice, a normal model will be used and it will also be done on samples from clinical cases.

2.2. Seminars

Seminars are mainly aimed at a small number of students where the learning objective may vary depending on the type of seminar. They complement the comprehension of concepts taught in other directed activities, but with a lower academic component and focused mainly on favoring the discussion and exchange of ideas and knowledge in a more technical and professional environment that brings them closer to the reality of this activity. The main objective is to promote the capacity for analysis, reasoning and resolution capacity. They allow the teacher to make a follow-up and evaluation of the student At the same time, one of the seminars envisaged includes informing the student about current aspects of the role of the veterinarian within this area of animal production and / or health.

2.2.1.- Role of the veterinarian in aquaculture. Through the experience of former students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine who are currently professionals in the sector (production, feed manufacture, pathology services, basic and applied research, ...), we seek to have a current and future vision ofexpanding production systems and the role that the veterinarian. This seminar is expected to take place once the students have assimilated most of the knowledge seeking open debate among students

 2.3.- Self-assessment on production systems This activity consists in the oral presentation and discussion of a work that the students should have done in groups of 4-5 people. The objective of this seminar is to present different aspects of current production of aquatic species

2.4.- Presentation - Discussion of clinical cases (AD) Oral presentation in English (DA) of a written report or PowerPoint presentation based in various proposals of specific problems/cases related to aquaculture and aquatic animal health areas. The work will be done in groups of 4-6 people per group. The work will be supervised by the corresponding professor according to the topic of the case. The presentation and defense of the work will take place in the classroom with the presence of the teachers and will be done orally in groups.   The self-learning work seeks to get the student to develop skills in the planning and organization of their work, as well as the ability to solve problems from a real situation. The objective is to promote the ability of analysis, synthesis, reasoning and problem solving capacity that allows them a better positioning in view of their future incorporation into the professional collective.

 

Learning is based on the student's own work. The mission of the teaching staff is to accompany them in this task by transmitting knowledge and making information available or by showing them the available resources . At the same time, teacher has to tutor and supervise this process so that the learning is carried out efficiently. 

The activities planned to achieve this goal are:

1.- Work methodology based on classroom classes (lectures) with participation of the students .

The student acquires the knowledge of the subject attending the master classes, participating in them and complementing them with the personal study of the topics explained. This work allows students to focus on basic knowledge, emphasizing the most relevant aspects. These classes are complemented with the knowledge taken from the practical sessions, seminars and other activities. Participation and interaction of the students during the same will be enhanced. In this case, some of the participatory lectures (see programming) will be in English (DA).

 "Due to the current situation related to Covid-19, the content of the theoretical classes will be 100% non face-to-face. In order to facilitate the resolution of doubts, several tutorials will be scheduled that will be carried out in a semi-face-to-face way (sessions via Teams and at fixed times). It will also enable asynchronous channels such as the Virtual Campus forum for resolving questions."

2.- Methods oriented to the discussion and / or teamwork.

Teamwork or working in groups is a basic tool to encourage the student an active role in learning: it increases their motivation, promotes attitudes of initiative, improves the degree of reasoning and understanding of concepts and procedures, creating at the same time a relationship positive social These methods include sessions of laboratory practices, seminars and especially case sessions that will be developed in parallel to the lectures. As mentioned above, these sessions are a complement that helps to achieve and apply the knowledge that is taught in the lectures.

Different activities are contemplated within this method:

2.1- Laboratory practices

These are done in small groups and each practice to be done is intended to work on practical and application aspects related to the knowledge taught in the lectures.

 "These will be done following a mixed face-to-face model. Of the total hours / practice (2 h), 1 hour will be allocated to the face-to-face part and 1 hour to the non-face-to-face part."

2.1.1.- Analysis of the physical-chemical parameters of water

By carrying out the main methodologies of basic laboratory analysis of the physical-chemical parameters of fresh and marine water (Tª, salinity, pH and ammonium, among others) and the interpretation and discussion of the results, the student should be able to understand the effects associated to the  modification of the different physical-chemical parameters of water in  the physiology and health of aquatic animals. Emphasis will be placed on the correct oxygen determination of a sample, since it is one of the most important parameters.

2.1.2 - Food used in aquaculture

Students will become familiar with the different food types available, depending on the species and the culture phase (larval, juvenile and ongrowing). At the same time, they will become aware of the importance and implication of the technological characteristics of feed intended for aquatic species.

2.1.3 and 4.- Diagnostic protocol and basic management in fish

The students will be responsible for performing a basic procedure of anesthesia, necropsy, sampling, performing basic rapid diagnostic techniques and basic differential diagnosis in Ichthyopathology performed on real biological samples. This practice will be done with fish kept in aquariums. In this practice, a normal model will be used and it will also be done on samples from clinical cases.

2.2. Seminars

Seminars are mainly aimed at a small number of students where the learning objective may vary depending on the type of seminar. They complement the comprehension of concepts taught in other directed activities, but with a lower academic component and focused mainly on favoring the discussion and exchange of ideas and knowledge in a more technical and professional environment that brings them closer to the reality of this activity. The main objective is to promote the capacity for analysis, reasoning and resolution capacity. They allow the teacher to make a follow-up and evaluation of the student At the same time, one of the seminars envisaged includes informing the student about current aspects of the role of the veterinarian within this area of animal production and / or health.

"Due to the current situation related to Covid-19, the seminars will be held semi-face-to-face (sessions via Teams and at scheduled times)."

"The exam will be performed in person, as long as the health authorities allow it."

To pass the subject

To pass the subject it is required necessary:

1.- A minimum of 4.5 points out of 10 in the theoretical exam written exam part  .

2.- Obtain a minimum of 5 points out of 10 in the overall subject.

3.- A minimum of 4 points out of 10 must be obtained in each of the evaluable parts (except the theoretical exam, according to point 1) .

4.- There is only one remedial/re-take exam for the theory exam. This exam can be used to rise the mark.

5.- Not qualified (no presentado) those students who have only evaluated up to a maximum of 20% of the total of the mark will be considered not-qualified in the final assessment.

The  remedial exam will be organized according to the EVALUATION RULES OF THE VETERINARY SCHOOL Approved in the Faculty Board on June 30, 2015 and Amended on May 3, 2018