aquacurriculum

AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGY CORE CURRICULUM

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At left, students check and record water quality parameters to manage good aquatic health. Checking Water Quality

Students learn to use all equipment typically found on a traditional fish farm, as well as emerging and experimental aquaculture technology. A wide variety of crops, including catfish, freshwater shrimp, bait minnows, crawfish, and ornamental fish is produced in ponds, raceways, cages, and tanks. Other species are also explored on a limited basis.

Biological and mechanical filtration systems, aquaculture's newest frontier, are studied extensively. In the program, instruction includes ornamental and water gardens and provides a link between aquaculture and horticulture.

AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE
SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE*

Baseline Competencies for Aquaculture Technology**

First Year
FALL	SPRING	SUMMER
3 sch -- Basic Principles of Aquaculture (AQC 1113)	4 sch -- Aquaculture Production II (AQC 1444)	6 sch -- Special Problem in Aquaculture Technology (AQC 1716)
3 sch -- Biological Principles of Aquatic Species (AQC 1413)	3 sch -- Facility Maintenance (AQC 1323)
4 sch -- Aquaculture Production I (AQC 1424)	1 sch -- Professional Development (AQC 1511)
4 sch -- Water Quality Management (AQC 1214)	3 sch -- Aquabusiness (AQC 1613)
4 sch -- Broodstock and Hatchery Management (AQC 1434)	2 sch -- Aquaculture Processing and Marketing (AQC 1622)
TOTAL -- 18 sch	TOTAL -- 16 sch	TOTAL -- 6 sch

* Students who lack entry level skills in math, English, science, etc. will be provided related studies.

** Baseline competencies are taken from the high school Aquaculture program.

Students who can document attainment of these competencies should not receive duplicate instruction. Students who cannot demonstrate attainment will be required to do so.

AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATE DEGREE
SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE*

Baseline Competencies for Aquaculture Technology**

First Year
FALL	SPRING
3 sch -- Written Communications Elective	3 sch -- Oral Communications Elective
3 sch -- Basic Principles of Aquaculture (AQC 1113)	4 sch -- Broodstock and Hatchery Management (AQC 1434)
3 sch -- Biological Principles of Aquatic Species (AQC 1413)	3 sch -- Aquabusiness (AQC 1613)
4 sch -- Aquaculture Production I (AQC 1424)	3-4 sch -- Approved Elective
4 sch -- Water Quality Management (AQC 1214)	3 sch -- Math/Science Elective
TOTAL -- 17 sch	TOTAL -- 16-17 sch

Second Year
FALL	SPRING
3 sch -- Social/Behavioral Science Elective	3 sch -- Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
4 sch -- Aquaculture Production II (AQC 1444)	4 sch -- Integrated Production Systems (AQC/HLT 2724)
3 sch -- Facilities Design and Construction (AQC 1313)	3 sch -- Facility Maintenance (AQC 1323)
1 sch -- Professional Development (AQC 1511)	6 sch -- Special Problem in Aquaculture Technology (AQC 1716)
2 sch -- Aquaculture Processing and Marketing (AQC 1622)	TOTAL -- 16 sch
3-4 sch -- Approved Elective
TOTAL -- 16-17 sch

* Students who lack entry level skills in math, English, science, etc. will be provided related studies.

** Baseline competencies are taken from the high school Aquaculture program. Students who can document attainment of these competencies should not receive duplicate instruction. Students who cannot demonstrate attainment will be required to do so.

Approved Electives:

Business Accounting (BOT 1433)
Computerized Accounting (BOT 2413)
Fundamentals of Microcomputer Applications (CPT 1113)
Supervised Work Experience in Aquaculture Technology [AQC 292(1-4)]
Water Garden Design (AQC/HLT 2734)
Aquarium and Water Garden Production (AQC 2814)
Work-Based Learning [WBL 191(1-4), WBL 192(1-4), WBL 193(104), WBL 291(1-4), WBL 292(1-4), WBL 293(1-4)]

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Course Name: Basic Principles of Aquaculture
Course Abbreviation: AQC 1113
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core

Description: A study of the history, current status, future prospectus, terminology, sources of information, species of aquaculture importance, and safety related to aquaculture. (3 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 4 hr. lab)

Prerequisite: None

Course Name: Water Quality Management
Course Abbreviation: AQC 1214
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core

Description: A study of learning to use and maintain water quality, equipment, the role of plankton, and measurement and manipulation of water quality parameters and aeration. (4 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 6 hr. lab)

Prerequisite: None

Course Name: Facilities Design and Construction
Course Abbreviation: AQC 1313
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core

Description: A study of site selection, permits, state and federal regulations, pond layout, construction, future growth, estimating cost, and funding. (3 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 4 hr. lab)

Prerequisite: None

Course Name: Facility Maintenance
Course Abbreviation: AQC 1323
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core

Description: A study of safety; use of hand and power tools; identification of fittings, valves, pipes, and sizes; maintenance and fabrication of piping systems; operation, installation, roubleshooting, and minor repairs of electric motors; basic operation of gasoline and diesel engines; basic carpentry; and fiberglass repair. (3 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 4 hr. lab)

Prerequisite: None

Course Name: Biological Principles of Aquatic Species
Course Abbreviation: AQC 1413
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core

Description: A study of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and reptiles including anatomy and physiology, terms and definitions, pond ecology, and aquatic plants related to aquaculture. (3 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 4 hr. lab)

Prerequisite: None

Course Name: Aquaculture Production I
Course Abbreviation: AQC 1424
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core

Description: Basic aquaculture principles and specific production techniques for catfish, crawfish, shrimp, baitfish, hybrid striped bass, and other species as an ongoing process. Alternative species and culture methods, minor aquaculture crops, aquariums, ornamental ponds, and pond fertilizers. (3 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 4 hr. lab)

Prerequisite: None

Course Name: Broodstock and Hatchery Management
Course Abbreviation: AQC 1434
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core

Description: A study of the selection and care of broodstock, hatching eggs, care and feeding of young, natural and artificial propagation, grading, stocking, and hatchery equipment. (4 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 6 hr. lab)

Prerequisite: None

Course Name: Aquaculture Production II
Course Abbreviation: AQC 1444
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core

Description: Basic aquaculture principles and specific production techniques for catfish, crawfish, shrimp, baitfish, hybrid striped bass, and other species as an ongoing process. Aquatic nutrition, health and disease, use of aquatic chemicals, transportation of aquaculture products, and management of farm ponds. (4 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 6 hr. lab)

Prerequisite: Aquaculture Production I (AQC 1424)

Course Name: Professional Development
Course Abbreviation: AQC 1511
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core

Description: Career planning strategies to include employment sources, r‚sum‚ writing, interview skills, and job ethics. (1 sch: 1 hr. lab)

Prerequisite: None

Course Name: Aquabusiness
Course Abbreviation: AQC 1613
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core

Description: Management skills in planning and operating an aquabusiness including personnel management, supervision, budgeting, scheduling, future planning, record keeping, and financing and purchasing. (3 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 4 hr. lab)

Prerequisite: None

Course Name: Aquaculture Processing and Marketing
Course Abbreviation: AQC 1622
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core

Description: Techniques and procedures utilized for processing and marketing aquaculture products. (2 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 2 hr. lab)

Prerequisite: None

Course Name: Special Problem in Aquaculture Technology
Course Abbreviation: AQC 1716
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core

Description: This course will provide students the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge obtained in this program through a supervised work setting, special research project, or other project approved by instructor. (6 sch: 18 hr. externship)

Prerequisite: None

Course Name: Integrated Production Systems
Course Abbreviation: AQC/HLT 2724
Classification: Vocational-Technical Core (Associate Degree Program)

Description: Utilizes basic horticulture practices and aquaculture facilities to provide techniques and procedures to maintain a recirculating hydroponic system. (4 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 6 hr. lab)

Prerequisites: Water Quality Management (AQC 1214) and Plant Materials I (HLT 1114) or by permission of instructor

Course Name: Water Garden Design
Course Abbreviation: AQC/HLT 2734
Classification: Vocational-Technical Elective (Associate Degree Program)

Description: A study of the design and construction of water gardens. (4 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 6 hr. lab.)

Prerequisites: Facilities Design and Construction (AQC 1313); or Plant Materials I (HLT 1114), Plant Materials II (HLT 1124), and Landscape Design I (HLT 1513)

Course Name: Aquarium and Water Garden Production
Course Abbreviation: AQC 2814
Classification: Vocational-Technical Elective (Associate Degree Program)

Description: This course will include basic production of the aquarium trade and water garden trade species. (4 sch: 1 hr. lecture, 6 hr. lab.)

Prerequisite: Aquaculture Production I (AQC 1424)

Course Name: Supervised Work Experience in Aquaculture Technology
Course Abbreviation: AQC 292(1-4)
Classification: Vocational-Technical Elective (Associate Degree Program)

Description: A course which is a cooperative program between industry and education and is designed to integrate the student's technical studies with industrial experience. Variable credit is awarded on the basis of one semester hour per 45 industrial contacthours. (1-4 sch: 3-12 hr. externship)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

RELATED VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL COURSES

Course Name: Business Accounting
Course Abbreviation: BOT 1433
Classification: Related Vocational-Technical Elective (From Business and Office and Related Technology Cluster)

Description: This course is designed to develop an understanding of recording, classifying, and summarizing business transactions and events with insight into interpreting and reporting the resulting effects upon the business. (3 sch: 3 hr. lecture)

Prerequisite: None

Course Name: Computerized Accounting
Course Abbreviation: BOT 2413
Classification: Related Vocational-Technical Elective (From Business and Office and Related Technology Cluster)

Description: This course applies basic accounting principles using a computerized accounting system. (3 sch: 2 hr. lecture, 2 hr. lab)

Prerequisite: Business Accounting (BOT 1433)

Course Name: Fundamentals of Microcomputer Applications
Course Abbreviation: CPT 1113
Classification: Related Vocational-Technical Elective (From Computer Information Systems Technology)

Description: This course will introduce information processing concepts to include: word processing, spreadsheet, and database management software. Service course; not to be taken by Business and Office and Related Technology students. (3 sch: 2 hr. lecture, 2 hr. lab)

Prerequisites: None

Course Name: Work-Based Learning I, II, III, IV, V, and VI
Course Abbreviation: WBL 191(1-4), WBL 192(1-4), WBL 193(1-4), WBL 291(1-4), WBL 292(1-4), WBL 293(1-4)
Classification: Vocational-Technical Elective

Description: A structured worksite learning experience in which the student, work-based learning coordinator, and worksite supervisor/mentor develop and implement a business/education contract (training agreement). Designed to integrate the student's academic and technical skills into a work environment. Includes regular meetings and seminars with school personnel for supplemental instruction and feedback (progress reviews). (1-4 sch; minimum of 15 contact hours of paid employment per week required)

Pre/corequisite: Concurrent enrollment in vocational-technical program area courses

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