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The Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science is a leading African academic institution supporting the sustainable utilisation and study of fish and fisheries through teaching and training of students, research and appropriate service provision.
At the undergraduate level the Department offers a four-semester major in Ichthyology, which may be taken as a major subject for the BSc and BJourn degrees.
At postgraduate level the following degrees are offered: BSc Honours in Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Ichthyology or Fisheries Science by research and the preparation of a thesis. From 2003 the Department hopes to offer a Master's degree in Fisheries Management by coursework and thesis.
Detailed information on course work and curricula may be obtained from the Head of Department. See the Departmental Web Page http://www.ru.ac.za/academic/departments/difs/ for further details, particularly on the contents of courses.
Ichthyology (ICH) is a four-semester subject which may be taken as a major subject for the degrees of BSc and BJourn.
To major in Ichthyology, a candidate is required to obtain credit in the
following courses: ZOO 1 or BIO 1; ICH 201; ICH 202; ICH 301 or ECL 301;
ICH 302; CHE 1; and any two
first-year semester-credits in Mathematics, Statistics or Computer Science.
See Rule S.23.
ECL 301 (Applied Environmental Freshwater Studies) may be taken as an
alternative to ICH 301.
There are two second-year courses in Ichthyology. ICH 201 is held in the first semester and ICH 202 in the second semester. Credit may be obtained in each course separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a two-credit course ICH 2, provided that a candidate obtains the required subminimum in each component. However, students who wish to major in Ichthyology must obtain credit in both ICH 201 and ICH 202. Adequate performance in ICH 201 is required before a student may register for ICH 202. No supplementary examinations will be offered for either course. Practical reports, essays, seminars and class tests collectively comprise the class mark, which forms part of the final mark.
Credit in Zoology (ZOO 1) or Biology (BIO 1) is required before a student may register for ICH 201 or ICH 202.
ICH 201
The course is comprised of lectures, tutorials and practicals in fish diversity and habitats, locomotion and buoyancy, sensory systems and communication, food and feeding, introduction to data analysis, experimental design and scientific writing. The writing of essays forms an integral part of the course.
ICH 202
The course is comprised of lectures, tutorials and practicals in fisheries, oceanography, physiology, reproduction, early ontogeny and life histories, and applied ichythyology. A field course in ichthyological methods is held in the second semester and all students are required to attend. The writing of essays forms an integral part of the course.
There are two third-year courses in Ichthyology. ICH 301 is held in the first semester and ICH 302 in the second semester. Credit may be obtained in each course separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a two-credit course ICH 3, provided that a candidate obtains the required subminimum in each component. Adequate performance in ICH 301 or ECL 301 is required before a student may register for ICH 302. No supplementary examinations will be offered for either course. Practical reports, essays, seminars and class tests collectively comprise the class mark, which forms part of the final mark.
Credit in Ichthyology (both ICH 201 and ICH 202) is required before a student may register for ICH 301 or ICH 302. In addition, students wishing to major in Ichthyology are required to have credit in any two first-year semester-credits in Mathematics, Statistics or Computer Science. See Rule S.23.
ICH 301
The course consists of six modules offered by way of lectures, tutorials and practicals. These cover genetics, evolution, biogeography, fish ecology and life history styles, and behaviour and intermediate data analysis (linked to a mini-project). The writing of essays and presentation of seminars forms an integral part of the course.
ICH 302
The course consists of six modules offered by way of lectures, tutorials and practicals. These cover oceanography, limnology, quantitative ecology, conservation and eco-tourism, fisheries economics and applied ichthyology 2. The writing of essays forms an integral part of the course. The ICH 302 examination may include an oral examination at the discretion of the examiners.
The aim of the Honours degree is to produce free-thinking and critical young scientists capable of performing independent research.
The Honours course is comprised of advanced studies in data analysis, evolution and systematics, speciation, biodiversity, fish biology and ecology, conservation, stock assessment and quantitative fisheries resource management, fisheries oceanography, aquaculture and an advanced course in scientific writing. There are two field excursions, the first to gain insight and practical experience in field sampling techniques and the second to obtain insight into operational aquaculture ventures. Students are required to undertake a major research project and to submit a report on this topic for the final examination, in a form suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The course is run on the basis of lectures, tutorials, seminars and extended essays. The examination consists of three theory papers, a practical examination, an oral examination and the project report. Practical and theoretical work done during the year counts towards the final mark.
Candidates who wish to register for the MSc degree in Ichthyology or Fisheries Science must have a four-year BSc degree or BSc Honours degree in Ichthyology, Fisheries Science, Aquaculture, Zoology or equivalent (as approved by the Head of the Department and the Board of the Faculty of Science).
Candidates for the PhD degree in Ichthyology or Fisheries Science must have a Master's degree or equivalent in Ichthyology, Fisheries Science, Aquaculture or Zoology or equivalent (as approved by the Head of Department and the Board of the Faculty of Science).
The degree of MSc or PhD in Ichthyology is awarded for the satisfactory preparation of a thesis based on original research on African fishes (freshwater, estuarine or marine), especially in the classical fields of systematics, morphology, distribution, ecology, behaviour or biology. The degree of MSc or PhD in Fisheries Science is awarded for the satisfactory preparation of a thesis based on original research on aspects of fisheries management, fisheries modelling, aquaculture or fisheries economics. Candidates for MSc or PhD degrees may additionally be required to complete such examinable coursework as may be prescribed by the Head of Department.
The PhD degree must make a substantial contribution towards the advancement of knowledge in the chosen field.
All postgraduate students in attendance are required, if called upon, to assist as demonstrators in practical classes in the Department or as tutors and mentors.
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