University of Kerala Courses

M.Phil. (Aquatic Biology & Fisheries)

Course Structure

• Paper I  – Research Methodology                 
• Paper II – Aquatic Biology                             
• Paper III – Fisheries and Aquaculture

Courses Syllabus

Paper I - Research Methodology

Methods in Aquatic Toxicology.                                                     

Toxicity testing. Acute toxicity test: Introduction. General Principles of acute toxicity tests.  Methodology for fish and invertebrates.  Methodology for phytoplankton. Chronic toxicity test: Introduction. Test species. Methodology. Factors modifying toxicity: Introduction. Terminology. Test condition.

Research Methodology.                                                                   

Concepts of scientific research, research hypotheses, literature survey and referencing. Experimental Design. Multiway factorial analysis. Multiple correlation and regression. Communication of Research: Writing for aquatic science journals.  

Screening Marine Organisms for Biologically Active Substances.

Molecular Diagnostic Methods in Fish Pathology.                        

Molecular-based detection of pathogen-specific nucleic acid using shrimp white spot syndrome virus as model. Antibody-based detection of pathogen-specific protein PAb and MAb, western blot and ELISA. Molecular epidemiology of viral infection using shrimp WSSV as model.

Principles and Practice of Aquatic Taxonomy.                              

Taxonomic collection (aquatic phyla). Taxonomic description - procedure and practice. Taxonomic keys. Taxonomy of finfish and shellfish (shrimps). Molecular taxonomy. Bar-coding of marine animals. Global Taxonomy Initiative.

Paper II - Aquatic Biology

Environmental Problems of Kerala.                                    

Eco-restoration and ecological modeling. Environmental legislation and chemical safety evaluation.

Harmful Marine Microalgae and Seafood Poisoning.                   

Pathogenic and Contaminant Microorganisms in the Aquatic  Environment.

Major fish and shellfish bacterial pathogens. Use of drugs and chemicals in aquaculture. Probiotics and their uses in aquaculture.

Biodiversity and Conservation of Aquatic Resources.                  

Importance of inland and marine biodiversity. Major threats to aquatic biodiversity. Freshwater biodiversity hotspots. Management of aquatic biodiversity (Indicators,  management of gene pool, conservation of aquatic ecosystems, restoration of ecosystems; conservation through community participation, parks and reserves). International Instruments (Agenda 21, Convention on Biological Diversity, UNESCO convention, Ramsar Convention).

Paper III - Fisheries and Aquaculture

Fish Immunology                                                                              

Phylogeny of immune system. MHCs. Lmphokines. Cytokines. Interleukins. Cellular interactions. Genetic basis of immunity. Control of immune response. Immune deficiency.

Aquaculture – Principles and Practice.                                          

Overview of freshwater aquaculture in India. Recent advances in mariculture in India. Present status of shrimp farming in India and way ahead. Sustainable aquaculture and Code of Conduct. Model Bankable project preparation.

 Advances in Fish Genetics.    

Principles of selective breeding of fish and shrimp. Cytogenetic and chromosomal studies in fishes. Genome manipulation – gynogenesis, androgenesis, polyploidy. Hormonal sex reversal. Hybridisation

Sustainable Fisheries Management.                                               

Sustainability in world fisheries. Collapse of marine fishery resources (Peruvian Anchovy, Atlantic cod). Stock assessments. Trophic level as indicators of fisheries impacts. Loss of predatory fishes. Fishing down the food web in Indian waters. Globalisation and its impact on fisheries. Sustainable fisheries management. FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.