Lifelong Learning Master Programme in Aquatic Animal Medicine

What makes us different

Our international outlook

This master programme (known as the Máster de Formación Permanente en Medicina de Fauna Acuática in Spanish) has been created in order to meet international demand for specialist veterinarians who can provide care for aquatic animals in zoos and aquariums. These professionals must possess a specific set of medical management knowledge and skills, given that the physiology and health requirements of these animals differ considerably to those of land-based animals. Interest in aquatic wildlife conservation continues to increase and this means that there is significant demand for experts who can diagnose and treat diseases affecting endangered species, undertake research and contribute to the preservation of aquatic fauna.

Our objectives

• To produce trained professionals with specialized knowledge of the physiology of aquatic animals and the pathologies which affect them.
• To enable our students to develop the skills they need to diagnose and treat disease in aquatic animals.
• To produce aquatic animal specialists who can undertake the appropriate medical management of aquatic animals, both in aquariums and in their natural environment.
• To initiate students in research methods in disease prevention and the investigation of emerging diseases.

With these objectives in mind, we aim to ensure the comprehensive training of our students, providing them with scientific knowledge and practical skills, enabling them to be excellent professionals in aquatic animal medicine.

With the participation of Valencia's Oceanogràfic

This master programme is a collaboration between the University and Valencia's Oceanogràfic.

This oceanarium forms part of the city of Valencia's cultural complex known as the City of Arts and Sciences. Since it opened in 2003, it has become the largest aquatic animal park in Europe. It is a major international attraction for tourists – and researchers. It has become a leading institution for research, conservation and dissemination regarding marine biodiversity. Its facilities are the ideal setting for you to study and explore the richness and diversity of marine life. The Oceanogràfic is home to more than 27,000 animal of 700 different species. While some of these are little known or even unique, visitors can also gain insights into all of the main aquatic ecosystems on the planet.

To fulfil its normal operations and support a wide range of projects, the Oceanogràfic has its own fully equipped veterinary clinic, laboratories and optimal medical facilities. All this means that the Oceanogràfic is the perfect environment for students on this master programme: the facilities, professionals and the animals provide the ideal setting for high-quality training.

Blended learning

The master programme is delivered in a blended format, with a period in which student must be present in person and another taking place remotely. Both periods are compulsory, and cannot be modified or swapped around. The programme includes 4 compulsory modules, a placement and an end of programme project, known as the TFM (trabajo de fin de máster).

Modules

• Introduction to Conservation Medicine
• Marine Mammal Medicine
• Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate Medicine
• Marine Reptile and Marine Bird Medicine

Other options

In addition to the master programme, the programme content is also available in two other formats. The first of these is our Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Aquatic Animal Medicine. This contains the same theoretical content as the master programme, but without the practical component.

We also offer the theoretical content of the individual modules – Marine Mammals, Fish and Aquatic Invertebrates or Marine Reptiles and Marine Birds – as Higher Postgraduate Courses. The number of ECTS credits in each case corresponds to the number of hours of theoretical training involved.

We collaborate with the best organisations: