Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences

Overview
Program Outcomes
Program Outcomes for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Placement Requirements

Overview

If you have a love for the great outdoors and an interest in biology and wildlife, consider earning a certificate or an associate degree in Fisheries & Aquaculture Science at Bellingham Technical College. You can prepare for a rewarding career as a fish hatchery specialist, fish culturist, fisheries technician, shellfish hatchery worker, scientific aide, water quality technician, or habitat restoration specialist. In BTC’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Science programs, you’ll learn top skills such as fish culture, aquaculture, and fish spawning that will position you for the best aquatic science jobs in the fisheries industry. The Fisheries & Aquaculture hands-on classes take place in the classroom as well as at the Whatcom Creek Hatchery at the Maritime Heritage Park in Bellingham, which is operated by Bellingham Technical College’s Fisheries & Aquaculture Science program. If you are interested in a tour of the Perry Center please contact the Admissions department at admissions@btc.edu to schedule a tour.

Program Outcomes

After successfully completing the AAS or AAS-T degree, students will be able to:

Demonstrate proper shellfish, seaweed, and microalgae culturing techniques for hatchery and farm production.
Design and visualize aquaculture systems that implement industry-standard protocols and best practices.
Describe the form and function of commonly cultured shellfish and seaweed species, as related to reproduction, growth, and health.
Explain current regulations, policies, and permitting in the aquaculture industry that promote sustainable production.
Evaluate industry best practices for food production and restoration, with an emphasis on Pacific Northwest shellfish.
Produce technical communications to effectively illustrate research skills and data literacy.
Conduct workplace operations in a safe and professional manner with an emphasis on teamwork skills.

After successfully completing the Aquaculture Theory Certificate, students will be able to:

Summarize the principles and best practices of the aquaculture industry.
Describe the fundamental concepts for culturing aquatic organisms.
Define the key components of various culturing systems, including recirculating and flow-through technology.

After successfully completing the Fisheries Field & Lab Techniques Certificate, students will be able to:

Demonstrate proper sampling techniques to assess aquatic populations and habitats.
Explain how fish populations interact with each other and their environments.
Design fisheries surveys for monitoring purposes.
Conduct workplace operations in a safe and professional manner with an emphasis on teamwork skills.

After successfully completing the Fundamentals of Aquatic Sciences Certificate, students will be able to:

Summarize fundamental theories of aquatic science, as related to biology, chemistry, ecology, and environmental science.
Identify the principles and best practices of the fisheries and aquaculture industries.
Demonstrate industry-level competencies in field, lab, and hatchery techniques.
Conduct workplace operations in a safe and professional manner with an emphasis on teamwork skills.

After successfully completing the Salmon & Trout Culturing Techniques Certificate, students will be able to:

Demonstrate proper fish culturing techniques, as related to hatchery and farm production.
Describe the form and function of salmon and trout, as related to reproduction, growth, and health.
Compare and contrast culturing system designs for target species.
Conduct workplace operations in a safe and professional manner with an emphasis on teamwork skills.

After successfully completing the Seaweed & Mollusk Culturing Techniques Certificate, student will be able to:

Demonstrate proper shellfish, seaweed, and microalgae culturing techniques, as related to hatchery and farm production.
Describe the form and function of commonly cultured shellfish and seaweed, as related to reproduction, growth, and health.
Compare and contrast culturing system designs for target species.
Conduct workplace orations in a safe and professional manner with an emphasis on teamwork skills.

Placement Requirements

Admissions application and assessment in Reading, Math, and Writing is required. Your placement will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.

Completion of MATH 090 and ENGL 095 with a C or higher OR placement into MATH 098 and AENGL 100 or higher.

Degree and Certificate Requirements

Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences Degree completion requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and a minimum grade of C-/1.7 for program courses. General Education courses require a min mum grade of C/2.0

Programs

Associate of Applied Science

Associate of Applied Science - Transfer

Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences, Aquatic Sciences, AAS-T

Certificate