Fisheries and Water Resources: Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Option, BS

This major is administered by the Fisheries and Water Resources  Discipline.

The fisheries and water resources bachelor of science degree prepares you for a career or graduate study in fishery science or management, aquatic biology, hydrology, hydrogeology (groundwater), laboratory analysis of water and environmental samples, aquatic toxicology, and the assessment and management of water resources. You must select one of three options:  Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences; Hydrology ; or Water Resources .

The fisheries and aquatic sciences option prepares you for employment in consulting firms or state, tribal or federal resource management agencies where you would be involved in manipulating fishery resources through regulating human use, managing aquatic habitat, and stocking. With a BS degree in fisheries, you will likely begin your professional employment as a limited term employee. An MS degree will greatly increase employment potential and job responsibilities in fisheries and aquatic sciences. If you complete the requirements for the fisheries and aquatic sciences option with a grade of C or better in all required courses, you will have completed the minimum course requirements for certification by the American Fisheries Society as a certified fisheries professional. For more information about certification see the American Fisheries Society website.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Identify fish and aquatic invertebrates common to North America
2. Explain how basic ecological principles define aquatic ecosystems 
3. Demonstrate how principles of fish population dynamics regulate fish production
4. Synthesize fisheries information in research and management

Consists of 99-106 credits.

Note: Required courses marked ** below have Math prerequisites. Depending on your placement score, additional courses may be required.