Science of Shellfish Aquaculture
An open-access library of educational content prepared by professionals in the Marine Advisory Program and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and the Virginia Sea Grant Marine Extension Program. Course content is provided by faculty and staff from VIMS Shellfish Aquaculture Program and other Virginia state agencies.
About the Course
The Science of Shellfish Aquaculture (SOSA) content is open-access and online. It is grouped into several topical modules with video presentations and links to additional information. You can access the content at any time and learn at your own pace. The content will continue to built to meet the needs of the community.
SOSA was developed for those interested in the science behind farming bivalve shellfish. Some of the material is specific to Virginia shellfish farming, but much of the content is regionally applicable. Our goal is to deliver educational material to a wide variety of people - new or existing shellfish farmers, high school students, those looking for employment on a shellfish farm, interns and researchers, and shellfish enthusiasts.
Course Format
Topical modules are accessed through the Canvas learning management system and are bundled into micro courses to meet stakeholder training needs as they arise. For example, the oyster gardening micro course is a required component for those wishing to obtain Virginia Master Oyster Gardener status with our Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association partners. Accessing that micro course requires registration which can be found here [link coming soon].
Course Access - Enrollment Opening Summer 2025!
Accessing SOSA content requires users to register for a free Canvas account. [Instructions to follow.]