Aquatic Medical Education was developed by the University of Florida (UF) to provide veterinary students and professionals with specialized training in health care, management and husbandry of aquatic species ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals.

It consists of two specialized courses, Diseases of Warmwater Fish and SeaVet Clinical Training. In 2010, AME added online courses: Introduction to Marine Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues.

These courses are offered through UF’s Aquatic Animal Health (AAH) Program, which is a multidisciplinary specialty incorporating aspects of medical, biological, and environmental sciences. The AAH Program is part of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences within the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Specialized Training Courses:
 

Diseases of Warmwater Fish provides instruction in the methodology of diagnosis and treatment of parasitic, bacterial, viral, nutritional and environmental diseases of warmwater fish and aquarium species. It is a two-week course offered during the summer of even years (2014, 2016…).

SeaVet Clinical Training is an intensive one-week course designed to teach veterinary medical students and veterinarians through didactic lecture, case-based problem-solving and practical experience, including an educational and interactive swim session with dolphins. This course integrates SeaVet I and SeaVet II classes that were held from 2004-2008. SeaVet Clinical Training has been offered every summer since 2009.

 

Online Courses:
 

Introduction to Marine Wildlife is designed to introduce students at the graduate level to the natural history, anatomy, physiology and behavior of aquatic megavertebrates: whales and dolphins, seals and sea lions, manatees, sea turtles and crocodilians. The first offering was held during Summer C session (May 10-Aug. 6, 2010).

Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues will introduce students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals with a Masters or higher degree to the controversial issues surrounding aquatic animal species ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals, with some emphasis on marine mammals, but also including sea turtles, fisheries, and marine ecosystems. The first course was held during Fall semester (Aug. 23-Dec. 8, 2010)