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Introduction to Ecological Modelling

This course will introduce students to the basic principles in ecological modelling, the types and functions and how they are used for scientific investigations. Students will also be exposed to relevant terminologies such as state variables, system state and simulation. The course will also present the basic steps for ecological modelling (i.e. model conceptualization, formulation, calibration and verification) which will be demonstrated using known ecological relations and data from field and laboratory observations.

Course Code: 
FAS 420
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 400
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Aquatic Pollution

The course introduces students to the phenomenon of pollution in aquatic ecosystems. A survey of pollutants, their sources and effects on aquatic abiotic parameters and biotic communities are presented. Organic pollution and biological oxygen demand, pollution indicators, effects of pollution on biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems and strategies for prevention and handling pollution are discussed. Students are also introduced to the procedures of environmental impact assessment.

Course Code: 
FAS 419
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 400
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Integrated Coastal Zone Management II

​​​​​​The course exposes students to issues of the coastal zone, tools for ICZM and institutional and policy aspects of the coastal zone.  The issues address biodiversity loss including dwindling fisheries; pollution; erosion; sanitation and health; effects of climate change; poverty and conflict of interests.  The ICZM tools enable the students to acquire skills in information technology, data collection and analysis, survey methods, environmental quality monitoring (soil, water and air), EIA,SIA, valuation methods of resources, physical planning and management skills (communication, presentation, time management, negotiation conflict resolution).  The institutional and policy aspects examine district, national and inter-sectoral involvement.  The roles of traditional, institutional, social and cultural issues are discussed.  Inter-governmental and regional co-operation are examined as well as financial and legal issues.  Non-governmental and community initiatives are also discussed.

Course Code: 
FAS 416
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 400
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Fisheries Science

​​​​​​The course examines feeding and reproductive biology of fish of commercial importance, their age and growth parameters.  The interaction of reproduction, growth and mortality in fish production, and the use of these concepts in fisheries management are discussed.  Students are introduced to methods for the prediction of fisheries yields, stock assessment, and determination of indices of over fishing.  Also discussed are fishing methods, the effects of impoundments on fisheries and the characteristics of the Ghanaian fishing industry. Students will also be introduced to various types of fisheries practiced locally and internationally, exploitation methods of fisheries, International Law of the Sea, regional treaties, regulations and bodies responsible for fisheries management (such as ICCAT, CECAF, etc.). Role of the Ministry of Fisheries and community involvement in fisheries management will be discussed.

Course Code: 
FAS 414
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 400
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Wetlands

The course examines the types of wetlands with the emphasis on general characteristics of tropical wetlands.  Interactions of wetlands with other ecosystems will be addressed as well as productivity, biomass and turnover.  Human influence on wetlands as well as their economic, social and ecological importance is discussed.   Attention will also be paid to the indigenous and conventional methods of conserving the ecological integrity of wetlands.  Special reference will be made to designation of Ramsar sites.

Course Code: 
FAS 413
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 400
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Aquaculture

The course examines the principles underlying aquatic productivity and introduces students to the procedures for constructing holding facilities (ponds, cages, tanks, etc.) seed production and stocking are discussed. It gives an overview of systems of freshwater, marine and brackish water culture of finfish and shellfish. It also examines water quality (physico-chemical properties) of water and quantity in aquaculture. Students will study holding facilities with the view to managing/controlling them.  The course will also introduce students to feed and feeding of stocked species, including harvesting techniques and marketing strategies for the cultured products and general fish pond management.

Course Code: 
FAS 412
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 400
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Biological Oceanography

​​​​​​Students are exposed to the various biotic communities of the marine ecosystem.  Pelagic and benthic communities are discussed with special attention to plankton, nekton, coral reefs and seagrass beds.  The course also discusses nutrients cycles and biological productivity of the oceans and their measurements; biology and adaptations of seashore and deep sea organisms (reproduction, nutrition, respiration, osmoregulation, etc.); bioluminescence and economic aspects of marine biology.

Course Code: 
FAS 411
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 400
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Basic Computing for Biologists

​​​​​​This course will expose students to the application of computers and software in biological sciences. The course will introduce students to Computer hardware and software. They will be exposed to input and output devices, Windows Operating System and others. They will learn how to manage files in Windows and MS Office Package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc). Students will be exposed to Word Processing, presentations in PowerPoint and uses of Excel for basic analyses and graphical presentations. Students will also be introduced to the use of the Internet and search engines for information retrieval on the web. Statistical packages (SPSS, MINITAB, GENSTAT etc.) for data analyses will be introduced to students. Graphic packages, such as SIGMAPLOT, will also be introduced. Uses of PCs in health and medicine, modelling DNA sequencing and analysis; use of laboratory equipment interfaced with computers for data collection. 

Course Code: 
BIO 315
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 300
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Biostatistics

This course applies statistical methods to biological information. It ideals with sampling techniques, data presentation, analysis and interpretation. Types of distribution (e.g.  normal, binomial, Poisson) are also discussed.  Analytical procedures including t-test, X2, F-ratio, correlation and regression will be used to analyse biological data.  Students will be taken through some basic experimental designs as well (e.g. CRD, RCD, factorilal design).

Course Code: 
BIO 312
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 300
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Research Methods in Biology

The course exposes students to the processes involved in the Scientific Method of investigation. There will be exercise in observational skills, asking questions, formulating hypotheses, experimental designs, biological techniques, data acquisition, analysis and scientific presentation. Students will be required to do a literature review on specific topics presentation to seminars. 

Course Code: 
BIO 399
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 300
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

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