Fisheries Sciences and Management
Overview
Programs in fisheries science and management teach people to breed fish and shellfish in fish hatcheries for commercial and recreational purposes.Students learn how to conserve fish species and protect fish habitats.
Fisheries sciences and management programs include topics such as:
- Principles of marine and aquatic biology
- Freshwater and saltwater ecosystems
- Water resources
- Fishing production operations and management
- Fishing policy and regulation
- Threats to fish populations such as diseases, pollution, and overfishing
Schools
Several community colleges and technical schools offer certificate and associate degree programs in fisheries sciences and management. A certificate program usually takes a year of full-time study. An associate degree program at a community college usually takes two years of full-time study to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.
Several colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in fisheries sciences and management. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study. At some schools, students select wildlife or natural resources management as their major and then concentrate in fisheries sciences and management.
Many universities offer graduate degrees in fisheries sciences and management. A master’s degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master’s degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Animal Physiology
- Aquaculture
- Conservation Biology
- Ecology
- Entomology
- Environmental Biology
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Marine Biology
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Natural Resources Policy and Management
- Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management
- Wildlife Biology
- Zoology and Animal Biology
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
- Agricultural Worker Supervisors
- Animal Scientists
- Conservation Scientists
- Deckhands
- Marine Biologists
- Recreation Guides
- Science Technicians
- Zoologists
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Algebra
- Animal Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Natural Resources Management
- Physical Education
- Physical Science
- Wildlife Management
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General.
Most graduate degree programs prefer you to major in fisheries sciences and management or some other field related to wildlife or natural resources management. Some master's degree programs require only that you major in a natural science or some other field that has a strong quantitative emphasis.
You should also take several courses in biology, chemistry, and math. These might include:
- Biochemistry
- Calculus
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Statistics
- Zoology
Additional requirements at many schools include:
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Professional experience
- Research writing sample
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
In this undergraduate program, you typically take courses such as the following:
- Aquaculture
- Applied Aquatic Ecology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Coastal Stream Management
- Environmental Law
- Fish Disease Management
- Fish Physiology and Behavior
- Fish Population Dynamics
- Fisheries Biology
- Fisheries Biometrics
- Freshwater Ecology
- Ichthyology
- Marine Biology and Ecology
- Oceanography
- Principles of Management
- Public Relations
- Resource Policy and Management
- Sampling Theory
- Statistics
- Water Pollution Biology
Graduate Program Courses
Course work in graduate programs that lead to a master’s or doctoral degree varies from program to program. These programs tend to give you a choice of research foci. The typical outline of the curriculum in graduate programs is as follows:
- Required courses
- Thesis and thesis defense (master's degree)
- Qualifying exams (doctoral degree only)
- Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree only)
Things to Know
When choosing your school, consider geographical location. For example, if you want to study freshwater fisheries, look for schools that are located near rivers, lakes, or streams.
Schools
East Side Area
Central Washington University
- Cultural and Environmental Resource Management
King-Snohomish Area
Bellevue College
- Associate in Arts and Sciences Transfer Degree
Green River College
- Natural Resources--Forestry
Spokane Area
Spokane Community College
- Natural Resource Management--Wildlife/Fisheries
West Side Area
Bellingham Technical College
- Fisheries & Aquaculture Techniques
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences
Centralia College
- Natural Resource Management Pre-Major
Grays Harbor College
- Natural Resource--Forestry Technician
Yakima Area
Heritage University
- Natural Resources