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Professor
AJ Booth, PhD(Rhodes)
Associate Professor & Head of Department
PJ Britz, BSc(Hons)(UCT), PhD(Rhodes)
Research Professor of Fisheries Science
T Hecht, BSc(UOFS), PhD(UPE)
Associate Professors
H Kaiser, Dr.agr.(Bonn)
WHH Sauer, PhD(UPE)
Senior Lecturer
OLF Weyl, PhD(Rhodes)
Aquaculture Development Officer
MTT Davies, BSc(Manchester), MSc(Southampton)
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.
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: CEL 101; ZOO 101; BOT 102; ICH 201; ICH 202; ICH 301; ICH 302; CHE 1; and any two first-year semester-credits in Mathematics, Statistics or Computer Science (with the exception of the literacy course CSC 1L1). See Rule S.23.
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 sub-minimum 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 Cell Biology (CEL 101), Zoology (ZOO 101) and Botany (BOT 102) is required before a student may register for ICH 201 or ICH 202.
ICH 201
The course is structured around the theme "fish form" and is comprised of lectures, tutorials and practicals in fish diversity and habitats, anatomy, larval fishes, sensory systems and communication and fish behaviour. A field course in ecological methods is held together with the Departments of Zoology and Entomology and of Botany and all students are required to attend. The writing of essays forms an integral part of the course.
ICH 202
The course is structured around the theme "fish function" and is comprised of lectures, tutorials and practicals in evolution and systematics, feeding and biology, genetics, physiology, aquaculture and oceanography. The writing of essays forms an integral part of the course.
The ICH 301 and 302 semester courses cover themes including aquaculture, fisheries science, conservation, limnology, experimental design and scientific writing.
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 sub-minimum in each component. Adequate performance in ICH 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 (with the exception of the literacy course CSC 1L1). See Rule S.23.
ICH 301
The course consists of six modules of different durations, offered by way of lectures, tutorials, practicals and field trips. Topics include scientific writing, introduction to data analysis, and an introduction to the philosophy of science. There are two-week modules on aquaculture, and conservation of the aquatic environment, and lectures on the estuarine, the freshwater and the marine environment (oceanography). The writing of essays and presentation of seminars forms an integral part of the course.
ICH 302
The course consists of two modules of lectures, and practicals. Building on the foundations provided in ICH 301, the first section covers aspects of experimental biology that includes a small third-year project, project-related data analysis and scientific writing. The second module addresses aspects of fisheries management and stock assessment. The preparation of essays, writing of scientific papers, and the presentation of seminars are important components of the course.
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 design a production facility and prepare a business plan for a hypothetical aquaculture venture. A major research project is undertaken through the year, and a report submitted 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 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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