Feeding a growing population
Our School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences is one of the world’s premier warm-water fisheries programs. As a student majoring in fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic sciences, you’ll receive a strong foundation in chemistry, mathematics and biology while learning how to apply these subjects to managing fresh and saltwater aquatic resources.
Undergraduate program
With courses in hatchery management, aquaculture production, fish health and water science, the Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Resource Management major option will prepare you for a career farming aquatic animals in freshwater and salt water. Students use modern tools to assess, manage and protect aquatic flora and fauna to enhance recreational fishing and aquatic diversity.
What can I do with this major?
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Hatchery Management
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Fishery Management
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Fish & Seafood Production
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Pond Management
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Pond Design & Development
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Aquatic Resources Management
Students in the Marine Resources Management major degree option study the biology, ecology, and engineering of healthy environments in which marine life may grow. You will be prepared in the management of fish populations and marine conservation of the world’s oceans and wetlands.
What can I do with this major?
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Marine Biology
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Fish & Shellfish Farming
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Environmental Law
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Fishery Management
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Wetlands Conservation & Management
The fisheries pre-vet and pre-professional major option will equip you with a strong foundation in the biological and physical sciences as well as fisheries sciences. Many students choose this option as academic preparation for the rigors of Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine and other professional schools, including graduate school.
What can I do with this major?
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Medicine & Veterinary Medicine
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Marine Biology
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Aquatic Resources Management
Graduate programs
Auburn University School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences is one of the world’s premier warm-water fisheries programs. Our graduate degree offerings include the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy, with emphases in aquaculture, aquatic ecology and fishery management.
Our programs prepare students for productive careers in academia and the private and public sectors in aquaculture, aquatic resource management and ecology, and fisheries biology and management.
Coursework may also be taken for credit at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab or the Gulf Coast Research Lab.
The Master of Science degree prepares our graduates for careers in aquatic resource or aquaculture as well as further studies toward a Ph.D.
Learning outcomes
Graduates who have earned an M.S. in fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic sciences will:
- Be able to defend their perspectives relative to primary literature in their area of expertise.
- Comprehend the scientific method and be able to apply it in their area of expertise.
- Demonstrate effective oral communication skills within their area of specialization, for example, be fluent in the specific technical language needed to describe aquaculture production systems, fish diseases, fish nutrition, fisheries management, etc.
- Be able to effectively write about their area of expertise using the appropriate scientific terminology.
- Gain practical knowledge and skills to be competitive in the job market.
Curriculum and requirements
A minimum of 30 semester hours of 6000-level or above is required. A minimum of 21 semester hours (which includes FISH 7990) of 6000-level and above courses must be taken within the major area of concentration and at least an additional 9 hours taken in a separate but closely related area of concentration. A minimum of 4 semester hours of FISH 7990 (Research and Thesis) is required but no more than 6 semester hours may be counted toward the degree.
In addition to the required coursework, the student must complete research and a written thesis and pass a comprehensive examination on research and course work as defined by the student’s advisory committee.
The doctoral program in fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic sciences emphasizes original scholarly research and includes significant advanced coursework.
Learning outcomes
Graduates with a Ph.D. in fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic sciences from Auburn University will:
- Be able to defend their perspectives relative to primary literature in their area of expertise.
- Comprehend the scientific method and be able to apply it in their area of expertise.
- Demonstrate effective oral communication skills within their area of specialization and be fluent in the specific technical language needed to describe aquaculture production systems, fish diseases, fish nutrition, fisheries management, etc.
- Be able to effectively write about their area of expertise (nutrition, genetics, conservation, etc.) using the appropriate scientific terminology.
- Gain practical knowledge and skills to be competitive in the job market.
Curriculum and requirements
The doctoral program emphasizes original scholarly research and includes significant advanced coursework. The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 60 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, of which a minimum of 31 hours must be taken through Auburn University, and a dissertation describing original research.
Grad school resources
- M.S.: $18,503-$25,000 and Ph.D.: $20,484-27,500 (all 0.5 FTE, 12 months of support).
- The exact amount is at the department’s discretion and is subject to change by the college and Auburn University.
- Salaries are paid in accordance with the budget policies and payroll procedures of the university.
- We follow graduate school deadlines: new students must be accepted 45 (domestic) or 90 (international) days before the start of the target semester.
- Required unless waived by faculty.
- Prospective graduate students should identify a faculty member who will support their application before applying since faculty don’t have access to applications.
