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The mission of the School of Marine and Environmental Programs at the ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ is to help our students gain an understanding of the natural world, develop critical thinking skills, and become scientifically literate. Together, we lay a foundation for lifelong learning and meaningful productive contributions to society.

The Marine Sciences encompass a wide variety of disciplines that seek to understand the way the ocean functions, how it is related to earth systems science, and how humans interact with the environment. Students will learn the theoretical underpinnings and applications of disciplines from biology to chemistry, geology, and physics. These disciplines are critical to life as we know it on the planet. Students will be able to apply these disciplines to solving real problems in ocean sciences and beyond.

The Aquaculture and Aquarium Sciences major provides students the opportunity to develop analytical skills in biology and business, and technical skills in the culture and maintenance of marine and freshwater organisms. Students who successfully complete the program should satisfy employment needs in the fields of marine and freshwater aquaculture and in the educational, maintenance and design needs of local, regional and national aquarium museums and businesses. Students who choose to go into graduate programs in these fields should be prepared to do so after maintaining an appropriate GPA in this program.

Topic area program required courses are to be selected in consultation with advisor.

Topic Area Courses

Cellular and Molecular Biology

Physiology Topic Area Course

Ecology/Evolutionary Biology Topic Area Course

Business Administration Electives

Choose two (2) upper-division Business electives in consultation with an advisor.

Highly Recommended Elective Credits

• CHE 307 - Quantitative Analysis
• EDU 202 - Curriculum Theory and Design
• SPC 100 - Effective Public Speaking

Graduation Requirements

A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all science and mathematics courses used toward graduation in any of the programs in the School of Marine and Environmental Programs. A 2.00 cumulative average in sciences is a requirement for graduation in any of the programs in the School of Marine and Environmental Programs.

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

• Students will demonstrate a strong content-knowledge foundation in their specific field of study (Marine Biology, Oceanography, Marine Entrepreneurship, or Marine Affairs).
• Students will communicate effectively in both oral and written format to convey their scientific knowledge, interdisciplinary training, and findings to peers, professional audiences, decision-makers, and/or the public.
• Students will demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in their specific field of study by designing, carrying out, and interpreting the results of their experiments by evaluating the literature published by professionals, by making recommendations to policy makers, and/or by creating and innovating in their field.

A minor requires 6 biology courses, including the Introductory Biology series. In particular, majors in a Biology or Marine Sciences program who wish to take an AQS minor must select 4 additional courses beyond those required for their major. No biology courses can satisfy both the major and minor requirements except for the introductory 100-level courses.

Aquaculture and Aquarium Sciences Minor Required Courses

• BIO 105 – Biology I: Ecology/Evolution and BIO 106 - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular or BIO 104/104L – General Biology with Lab and one of the following: BIO 105/105L – Biology I: Ecology/Evolution with Lab or BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular Biology with Lab
• BIO 221 – Principles of Aquaculture
• BIO 222/222L – Finfish/Shellfish Culture Techniques with Lab
• BIO 223/223L – Health/Nutrition/Feeding Cultured Organisms with Lab
• BIO 323/323L – Principles of Aquarium Operations Science with Lab

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their major advisor. 

Courses previously completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred biology courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the biology courses offered at ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they will transfer as general electives. 

All Science/Math courses previously completed must be no older than five years. Other options and restrictions apply.

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Beginning Fall 2023 ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ is no longer accepting students into the Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture and Aquarium Sciences. ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ students may still declare the Aquaculture and Aquarium Sciences minor.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.