RAS Design and Operation Certificate Program

eCornell, Cornell University is working with the Aquacultural Engineering Society to offer a Certification in Recirculating Aquaculture System Design & Operation. Companies are seeking qualified individuals to work with these systems at all levels. Earning a certification in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) Design and Operation identifies you as an individual who has obtained third party verification of a basic competency level in the area. This certification distinguishes you from others who have not spent the time to learn about RAS and signifies that one's knowledge and skills are up to date with current principles involved in designing and operating RAS.

Please note that this is only a certification assessment for those who already have RAS experience, not the full course content. For Cornell's Designing Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Certificate course, please go to:

http://www.ecornell.com/FISH

An AES member discount is available for the full RAS course.

The certification assessment will test your knowledge on the following topics:

• Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) engineering
• Water quality objectives, monitoring and measurement
• Fish growth and system staging
• Engineering design of individual unit processes
• System management
• Fish health management
• Economic and risk evaluation

The complete Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Yellow book is included as a downloadable PDF for preparation of the assessment.

To successfully complete the certification, you must achieve a grade of 90% or greater.

You will have 90 days from the date that you enroll to complete the certification. The certification requires about 10-12 hours of time for preparation and assessment.

The certification cost is $150 USD.

Members in good standing with AES, World Aquaculture Society (WAS), or an approved affiliate organization. The certificate program in RAS Design and Operation is intended to validate, or certify, the competency of an individual that is involved in this area of aquaculture production. Basic competency requires a demonstration of knowledge about the fundamental principles of designing and operating RAS. The AES is providing an independent certification of such competency as a service to the aquaculture industry.

Michael Timmons is a Professor in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering. His program is centered on entrepreneurial-driven enterprise. He provides a foundation of information related to the production of aquaculture products, both fresh and saltwater, with an emphasis on sustainable and environmentally friendly engineering technologies. He works with private industry to improve technology of water recirculating systems for producing fish and shellfish. Each year for the last 15 years, he conducts a 1-week short course on the principles of recirculating aquaculture.