Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics

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 contributions to society and offer a baccalaureate education to students interested in all facets of the marine environment.

Our programs 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 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 encountered in coastal and marine ecosystems and by the human communities that depend on them.

The Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics major provides students the opportunity to develop analytical skills in biology, marine science, 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 elect 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

Ecology/Evolutionary Biology

Recommended Elective Credits (Not required)

• MAF 200 – Intro to Marine Pollution
• MAF 210 – Intro to US Ocean Governance
• MAR 316 – Science in Society
• MAR 414 – Ocean Food Systems Seminar
• PHI 201 – Bio-Medical Ethics

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, Marine Affairs, or Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics).
• 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.

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 UNE 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 (5) years. Other options and restrictions apply.

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

See Undergraduate Admissions for more 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.