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Aquaculture Training and Degree Programs
Aquaculture Training and Degree Programs
Aquaculture workers' duties could include measuring the health of farm-raised fish or studying the biology of crustaceans. Read on for information about undergraduate and graduate degree programs in aquaculture as well as career prospects.
You'll find that many schools all over the country offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs in aquaculture. These programs will provide you with the training and knowledge employed by professional aquaculture scientists and technicians who work for government agencies and private companies. Most bachelor's degree programs will cover topics like aquatic animal nutrition, horticulture, fisheries science and agribusiness management. Master's degree programs are research-based, and you'll choose an area of concentration, like aquatic health research, fish health, water quality management and hatchery management.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Program Levels</b></td><td> Bachelor's degree, master's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Bachelor's: Microbiology, marine and environmental chemistry, invertebrate zoology, marine biology, organic chemistry <br clear="all"/> Master's: Spawning techniques, fish nutrition, aquatic ecology, aquaculture economics and marketing</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Availability</b></td><td> Online programs are not available; aquaculture technology certificates may be available online</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $68,090 per year <i>(for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 6% decline <i>(for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsTheCurriculumLike">What Is The Curriculum Like?</h3><p>A bachelor's degree program will take you about four years to complete. During your first two years, you'll take general education courses and complete biological science requirements, such as biology, genetics and organic chemistry. During your second two years, you'll focus on aquaculture electives, like marine and environmental chemistry, invertebrate zoology and microbiology.
</p><p>You'll also be required to attend lab courses in areas like organic chemistry, oceanography and marine biology. In a master's degree program, you'll take advanced courses on fish nutrition, aquatic ecology, aquaculture economics and marketing, and spawning techniques. You'll also be required to complete an independent research project that will culminate in a master's thesis.
</p><h3 id="section---CanTheseProgramsBeCompletedOnline">Can These Programs Be Completed Online?</h3><p>Although you probably won't find any online degree programs, some schools do offer online certificate programs in aquaculture technology. These programs are designed for students with a background in marine biology who a have an academic or professional interest in aquaculture. Most programs will require you to take about five courses to complete the certificate, all of which may be taken online. In order to get started taking online courses, you'll need a broadband Internet connection, an updated browser and software to view media, like Real Player or QuickTime.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithAnAquacultureDegree">What Can I Do With An Aquaculture Degree?</h3><p>Earning an aquaculture degree can help qualify you to work as a professional aquaculture manager. Aquaculture managers help grow fish as cash crops, maintain fish hatcheries and monitor the health of their fish. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers earned a median annual salary of $68,090 in 2020. The site also predicts that employment opportunities for these professionals will decline at 6% between 2019 and 2029.</p>
