Aquaculture and Aquarium Sciences

Degree

Minor in Aquaculture and Aquarium Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
School of Marine and Environmental Programs

Contact

Charles Tillburg, Ph.D.
Academic Director, School of Marine and Environmental Programs
ctillburg@une.edu

Jeri Fox, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator, School of Marine and Environmental Programs
jfox@une.edu

Mission

The mission of the School of Marine and Environmental Programs at the University of New England 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.

Major Description

The Aquaculture and Aquarium Sciences minor 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. 

Curricular Requirements

A minor requires six (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 four (4) additional courses beyond those required for their major.

Program Required CoursesCredits
BIO 105 – Biology I: Ecology/Evolution and BIO 106 – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular or BIO 104/104L – General Biology w/Lab and one (1) of the following: BIO 105/105L – Biology I: Ecology/Evolution w/Lab or BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular Biology w/Lab or MAR 105 – Ecology/Evolution of Marine Organisms and MAR 106 – Cellular and Molecular Biology of Marine Organisms8
BIO 221 – Principles of Aquaculture3
BIO 222/222L – Finfish/Shellfish Culture Techniques with Lab4
BIO 223/223L – Health/Nutrition/Feeding Cultured Organisms with Lab4
BIO 323/323L – Principles of Aquarium Operations Science with Lab4
Minimum Total Required Credits23

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate a strong content-knowledge foundation in their specific field of study.
  • 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.

Transfer Credit

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Admissions

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Financial Information

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.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the University of New England for the 2024–2025 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 semesters.

The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 26, 2024.
The University of New England reserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.

While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.