Fish, Fisheries & Aquaculture (BIOL3340)

Course overview

Fisheries and aquaculture represent the largest source of dietary protein and are pivotal in current food
security. The science of sustainable management of these precious resources is therefore critical in the global grand challenge of sustainable future food security. This course provides advanced level content in the biology and mathematics of fisheries and aquaculture, including fish reproductive biology and dispersal, mathematical modeling and stock assessment, fish nutrition, health and genetics in aquaculture and fisheries. Students will produce a cohesive, evidence-based scientific discourse on the potential placement of fish and fisheries, both capture and aquaculture, in future global food security and poverty alleviation. For this they will draw extensively on the relevant biological sciences and mathematics and show adaptability and application in a changing economic and ecological framework. Excellent students should be able to demonstrate substantial unexpected extension in their critical analysis and thinking and in how they apply their in-depth knowledge and communicate it to a broader scientifically literate audience.

The contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to current and future food security is substantial and currently represents the largest single source of dietary protein. The science of sustainable management of these precious resources is therefore critical in the Global Grand Challenge of sustainable food security.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Students should have completed BIOL2006 and MARS2001 before enrolling in this course.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

MARS2001

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

BIOL2006 or BIOL2106

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

BIOL3228

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Aims and outcomes

Fish, fisheries and aquaculture provides a basis of students to understand the technical background to sustainable management and operation of fisheries and aquaculture for future food security. Through workshops and laboratories, students should be able to explain in depth the strengths and limitations of of different practices and policies by drawing reference to the underlying biology and mathematics.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Fisheries Biology/Ecology: Fish lab report

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

15%

Due date

31/03/2026 5:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets required.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 

Fisheries Models: Fisheries workshop write-up

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

20%

Due date

15/04/2026 5:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

You must submit the report and the model spreadsheet via individual Turnitin links made available in Blackboard. Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets required.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).

Aquaculture assessment topics

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Translation/ Interpretation

Weight

15% (5% each)

Due date

Water quality: 21/04/2026 5:00 pm

Nutrition: 5/05/2026 5:00 pm

Genetics: 19/05/2026 5:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets required.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 

Final assignment

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Oral, Written

Category

Essay/ Critique, Presentation

Weight

50%

Due date

Take home Assignment: 8/06/2026 12:00 pm

In-person interview: Mon -Fri 11:00-13:30 15/06/2026

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Take home assignment to be submitted online via Turnitin by the indicated due date. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets required. Take-home assignment must be submitted before the students can be scheduled for the in-person interview.

In-person interview will be arranged via Zoom. Students will be allocated a time during Exam Week 2. If the student is unable to attend the in-person interview as scheduled, please contact the course coordinator directly to arrange an alternative.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Assessment Hurdle

In order to pass this course, you must meet the following requirements (if you do not meet these requirements, the maximum grade you will receive will be a 3):

You must obtain 50% or more on the Final Assignment.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment.

Refer to the link above for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply. Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met. Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates

Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.

For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension

For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D): https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=184

Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/uq-policies-and-rules/requirements-medical-certificates

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Other course materials

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
• AI for Assessment Guide

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.