Learn from anywhere in the world! The University of Florida is one of the only schools to offer online courses in Aquatic Animal Health. We want to provide students with an education in a variety of aquatic topics that interest them, whether it be for a pre-veterinary undergraduate track, graduate courses, professional continuing education credits, or just because you are interested in the material. Many schools accept these courses as biology electives or equivalent courses at their institution (contact us for more information on your institution). Students can take the course from virtually anywhere and have successfully completed the courses from across five continents. You can learn about aquatic animals from the driest of land-locked places by enrolling in these online courses!
Our Distance Learning Program in Aquatic Animal Health has given students the opportunity to learn about aquatic animals around the world. Most of these courses are available in slightly different formats to accommodate undergraduate, graduate, and veterinary students as well as for continuing education (CE) for veterinarians, aquarists, biologists, or post-baccalaureates interested in graduate school. Undergraduate and graduate students in our courses are often Animal Science, Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, Marine Biology, Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, or Zoology majors. Many of the undergraduate students are on a pre-veterinary medicine track. As we continue to grow, new courses are being developed to encompass the wide range of topics in aquatic animal health.
We, in collaboration with the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, currently offer:
Fall Semester
fall semester, annually- 3 credits
Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues
A 3 credit course that will expose students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) to some of the controversial issues surrounding aquatic animal species ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals, with emphasis on marine mammals, but also including sea turtles, fisheries, and marine ecosystems.
Fall Semester, Annually- 3 credits
Introduction to Aquaculture
An introductory course designed to provide an overview of the field of aquaculture and the common groups cultured in the United States. It is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who want a foundation in aquaculture principles to (1) apply towards more advanced coursework in aquaculture or other aquatic sciences or (2) to prepare for graduate research or a career in aquaculture.
Spring Semester
spring semester, annually- 3 credits
Aquatic Wildlife Health Issues
A 3 credit course which introduces students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) to the natural history, anatomy, physiology, behavior and common health issues of aquatic species: whales and dolphins, seals and sea lions, manatees, sea turtles and crocodilians.
spring semester, odd years only- 3 credits
Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate Histology
This course is intended to introduce the basic histology of clinically normal fish, bivalves, and corals, and to demonstrate common histopathology of diseased specimens. We include striped bass, pinfish, and common carp as our fish models, but other species may be used or substituted as needed. Bivalve models will include economically important species and coral species will vary.
spring semester, ANNUALLY- 3 credits
Sea Turtle Medicine & Rehabilitation
In this graduate course, students will gain foundational knowledge in sea turtle biology, anatomy, and physiology and how these factor into the clinical care and management of sea turtles during rescue events and in rehabilitation settings. Relevant case studies will be used to supplement each learning module topic to provide students with real-world examples of clinical applications in sea turtle medicine.
Summer Semester
Summer Semester, Annual- 3 Credits
Manatee Health and Conservation
A 3 credit course that provides students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) a detailed overview of manatee natural history, health assessment, and research findings as well as explore conservation issues.
Summer Semester, Annually- 3 Credits
Diseases of Warmwater Fish
A 3 credit course designed to provide instruction (graduate and professional level) in the methodology of diagnosis, treatment and management of parasitic, bacterial, viral, nutritional, and environmental diseases of warmwater food fish and aquarium species. Students will be provided basic instruction in fish biology and general husbandry, aquatic systems and water quality management, identification and interpretation of infections agents impacting fish health, development of responsible and effective treatment plans, and consideration of biosecurity, quarantine and regulatory issues relevant to fish health.
summer semester- 3 credits
Marine Mammal Biology
A 3 credit course that will provide students (graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) with a detailed overview of marine mammal species including cetaceans, sirenians, pinnipeds, mustelids, and ursids, as well as the many conservation and management issues faced by different marine mammal species.
You may also want to review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page or fill out our Contact Us form for more information about our distance learning program.