Aquaculture and Aquarium Sciences

Degree

Bachelor of Science with a major in Aquaculture and Aquarium Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Contact

Dr. Jeri Fox
jfox@une.edu
or
Dr. Stine Brown
sbrown@une.edu

 

Mission

Biology is an exploration of the living world that underscores and explains the unity and diversity of life. But it is also a truly human endeavor in that it affects us all. Because we live at this time in human history — at the beginning of what many believe to be a biological age — students must be able to apply biological concepts to the wide array of problems and choices they inevitably face.

Students who major in biology programs become familiar with all levels of biological organization from molecules to ecosystems and gain practical experience in both laboratory and field studies. Small classes enable the faculty to adopt an approach to learning that stresses how different subjects are related to each other, facilitates critical thinking, and encourages a collaborative approach to learning between students and faculty. Professors want students to experience the excitement and to see the applications of biology as well as appreciate science as a way of knowing about the world around them. In addition, the biology program stresses the importance of field opportunities, research experience, and experiential learning. The department also offers a graduate degree in Biological Sciences (master level) which is detailed in the graduate portion of this catalog. Visit our graduate programs page for details.

Major Description

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.

Curricular Requirements

  Credits
CAS Core Requirements 42-46
Program Required Courses 65-67
BIO 105/105L - Biology I: Ecology/Evolution (credits included in core requirements)  
BIO 106/106L - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular 4
BIO 214/214L - Genetics or BIO 205/205L Fish Genetics 4
BIO 204/204L - Parasitology 4
BIO 221 - Principles of Aquaculture 3
BIO 222/222L - Techniques in Finfish and Shellfish Culture 4
BIO 223/223L - Health, Nutrition and Feeding of Cultured Organisms 4
BIO 232/232L - Microbiology or BIO 234/234L - Environmental Microbiology 4
MAR 250/250L - Marine Biology 4
BIO 323/323L - Principles of Aquarium Operations and Science 4
MAR 325 - Marine Science Speaker Series 1
BIO 495 - Advanced Biological Internship 6
Topic Area Program Required Courses

(to be selected in consultation with advisor)

Total Credits
Minimum required 120

 

One Cellular and Molecular Biology or Physiology Topic Area Course  
Cellular and Molecular Biology Area  
BIO 290 may fulfill Biology Area requirements depending on subject matter and advisor permission.  
BIO 203 - Histology 4
BIO 365 - Immunology 3
BIO 370 - Cell and Molecular Biology 3
Physiology Area  
BIO 290 may fulfill Biology Area requirements depending on subject matter and advisor permission.  
BIO 208 - Anatomy and Physiology 4
BIO 245 - Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology 4
BIO 322 - Comparative Animal Physiology 3
BIO 404 - Neuroscience 4
MAR 326 - Experimental Animal Physiology 3
MAR 424 - Physiological Ecology of Fish 4

 

One Ecology/Evolutionary Biology Topic Area Course  
Cellular and Molecular Biology Area  
BIO 290 may fulfill Biology Area requirements depending on subject matter and advisor permission.  
BIO 307 - Conservation Genetics 3
BIO 328 - Human Evolution 3
BIO 333 - Evolution 3
MAR 335 - Animal/Behavioral Ecology 4
BIO 350 - Ecology 4

 

Science and Mathematics Topic Area Courses  
CHE 110/110L - General Chemistry I/Lab or CHE 150/150L - University General Chemistry I/Lab 4
CHE 111/111L - General Chemistry II/Lab or CHE 151/151L - University General Chemistry II/Lab 4
MAT 150 - Statistics for Life Sciences 3
Business Administration Electives

(choose two upper division Business electives in consultation with advisor)

Open Business Administration Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits)  
BUMG 200 - Management 3
BUMG 313 - Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship 3
BUMG 335 - International Management 3
BUAC 201 - Financial Accounting 3
BUEC 203 - Macroeconomics 3
BUEC 204 - Microeconomics 3
BUFI 302 - Personal Finance 3
BUFI 315 - Business Financial Concepts and Skill 3

 

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 Department of Biological Sciences. A 2.00 cumulative average in sciences is a requirement for graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Biology or Department of Marine Sciences.

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

Learning Outcomes

The expected learning outcomes for students graduating with a bachelor of science degree from the Department of Biology include:

  1. Knowledge of fundamental principles in biology, relevant concepts in mathematics and the physical sciences, and the ability to apply this knowledge to the critical analysis of new biological information, in the following areas:
    • Molecular and cellular basis of life including cell structure, metabolism, heredity, and reproduction.
    • Organismal diversity including organismal structure and function, hierarchy of organization, and the evolution of life.
    • Interrelations of organisms and their environment including abiotic and biotic interactions, biogeochemical cycles; ecosystems and their dynamics, and human actions and interventions.
  2. Understanding of the process of science, as well as demonstrated competency in biological research, with a particular emphasis on
    • The scientific method, including observational, comparative and experimental approaches and the tools utilized.
    • A critical reading of the primary scientific literature.
    • Data analysis, interpretation and the communication of scientific results (including oral presentations and scientific report writing).
  3. Appreciation for the relevance of the biological sciences to real-world issues, including:
    • Familiarity with avenues and applications of current and future research as well as the careers that use them.
    • Bioethical issues and their biological and social basis.
    • Recognition of the civic responsibility to share knowledge and to apply expertise to the improvement of human and environmental health.

Minor

A biology minor requires 6 biology courses, including the Introductory Biology series. In particular, majors in a Biology program who wish to take a biology 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 and one of the following: BIO 105/105L Biology I: Ecology/Evolution or BIO 106/106L - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular Biology

BIO 221 - Principles of Aquaculture
BIO 222/222L - Finfish/Shellfish Culture Techniques
BIO 223/223L - Health/Nutrition/Feeding Cultured Organisms
BIO 323/323L - Principles of Aquarium Operations Science

Honors Program

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. 

Transfer Credit

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 years. Other options and restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions also.

Admissions

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 documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2020-2021 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication May 1, 2020.

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.