Aquarium Science, B.S.

Program Overview

Western Oregon University's Aquarium Science program prepares students for careers in aquatic animal husbandry, including roles as aquarists, biologists, and keepers. Through practical experience and coursework, students learn to maintain aquarium life systems, conduct water quality analysis, care for animals, identify health issues, and create healthy habitats for fishes and invertebrates. Graduates can pursue opportunities in public zoos, aquariums, research programs, and other aquatic-related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Program Name: Aquarium Science, B.S.
• Institution: Western Oregon University
• Mission: To provide theoretical and practical experience to prepare students for careers in the aquatic animal husbandry profession, including positions as aquarists, aquatic biologists, and keepers.
• Employment Opportunities: Public zoos and aquariums, ornamental fish retailers and wholesalers, aquaculture businesses, fish hatcheries, research programs, marine educational centers, state and federal natural resource agencies, and self-employment.
• Learning Outcomes:
• Demonstrate critical thinking through laboratory experimentation, field research, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Communicate scientific concepts, research findings, and ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing, to professionals and the general public.
• Maintain, analyze, diagnose, and repair aquarium life support systems and their components.
• Perform basic water quality analysis using standard testing equipment.
• Maintain healthy animals through proper set-up, monitoring, and accepted animal husbandry practices.
• Identify physically compromised animals and abnormal animal behaviors.
• Work collaboratively to conceptualize, plan, construct, and manage environments that promote the health of fishes and invertebrates.

Teaching:

• Faculty: Michael Baltzley, Sarah Boomer, Erin Baumgartner, Bryan Dutton, Shaun Hansen, Ava Howard, Keven Malkewitz, Kristin Latham-Scott, Michael LeMaster, Stephen Scheck (Professors), Gareth Hopkins, Bojan Ilievski, Rajeeb Poudel (Associate Professors)

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Aquarists, aquatic biologists, keepers, positions in public zoos and aquariums, ornamental fish retailers and wholesalers, aquaculture businesses, fish hatcheries, research programs, marine educational centers, state and federal natural resource agencies, and self-employment.

Other:

• Admission Requirements: Formal admission to the AQS major is required to begin coursework at Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC).
Students must have less than 32 credits remaining in their Foundational Science and Business and Economics courses to be admitted to the major.
• Western Oregon University Graduation Requirement: 45 of the last 75 credits of a degree must be completed in Western Oregon University courses.
For students accepted into the AQS degree program, Oregon Coast Community College AQS courses are not counted as part of the last 75 credits of the degree.