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

Or

The Marine Science Department in the College of Arts and Sciences.

 

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

 

Credits

Program Required Courses

68-73

BIO 105/105L - Biology I: Ecology/Evolution (credits included in core requirements)

 

BIO 106/106L - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular

4

BIO 200/200L/200S - Genetics

OR

BIO 205/205L Fish Genetics

4-5

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):

 

One Cellular and Molecular Topic Area course

3-4

One Ecology/Evolutionary Biology Topic Area course

3-4
One Physiology Topic Area course 3-5
Science and Mathematics Required Courses:  

CHE 110/110L - General Chemistry I/Lab

OR

CHE 150/150L - University General Chemistry I/Lab

4

CHE 111/111L - Chemistry II/Lab

OR

CHE 151/151L - University General Chemistry II/Lab

4
MAT 150 - Statistics for Life Sciences 3

Business Adminsitration Required Courses:

 
BUMG 200 - Management 3
BUFI 302 - Personal Finance 3

Open elective courses (as needed to reach 120 credits)

variable

Highly Recommended Elective Credits:

 

CHE 307 - Quantitative Analysis

EDU 202 - Curriculum Theory and Design

SPC 100 - Effective Public Speaking

 

Minimum Required Total Credits

120

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.

https://www.une.edu/cas/programs/pre-health-graduate-school-preparation-tracks-non-degree

Learning Outcomes

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

A.  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.

B.  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).

C.  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, department of biological sciences majors 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

And
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.