* Ancillary Fee, VIU Students' Union fee, Health and Dental Plan fee, Books and supplies, Level 1 First Aid and Transportation Endorsement, Foul weather gear, chest waders, miscellaneous field equipment
Graduation from high school or equivalent.
International students who are BC high school graduates must have a minimum grade of “C” in English 12 for direct entry into an academic program.
Up to 30 advanced credits may be granted for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate (higher level) courses.
A minimum “C” grade in one of Principles of Mathematics 11, Applications of Mathematics 11, or Foundations of Mathematics 11, or equivalent.
Biology 11 with a minimum “C” grade, or equivalent.
Interview may be required.
TOEFL Paper Based Test, 550 (no section below 56)
TOEFL IBT, 88 (no section below 20)
IELTS (Academic), 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
CAEL, 60
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), 176 overall
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE), 176 overall
English 12 (BC), Min. “C”
Pearson (PTE), 60 (no section below 60)
International Baccalaureate English A1/A2, Higher Level (HL)/ Standard Level (SL) grade 3 or higher
VIU English Language Centre, Successful completion of University Preparation Level 5
Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition, Grade 2 or higher
Recognized university where English is the language of instruction., Completion of six credits of post-secondary English composition and literature with a minimum grade of “C”
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), English at the O-level with a minimum grade of C or 4
The Duolingo English Test (only For Fall 2020 and Spring 2021) , TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition (only For Fall 2020 and Spring 2021), 88 (no section below 20)
The program is designed to develop well-rounded technologists with a broad background in the practical and academic skills of fish and invertebrate culture, fisheries habitat and fish stock assessment, wild stock management, business management, and environmental control and planning.
Both the “why” and “how” are presented through formal lectures and practical experience. The selection of program material is designed to give a broad theoretical background to provide flexibility, as well as foster a professional attitude toward a future career. Students will spend approximately 25 per cent of their time on “hands-on” fisheries and aquaculture projects on- and-off campus.
The first year provides a foundation in such basic conceptual areas as statistics, biology, English, habitats of fish and fish rearing methods. There is a weekly practicum, in which students are sent into the field for a day to work in various aquacultural or fisheries facilities (salmonid hatcheries, spawning channels, wild fish projects, oyster farms, invertebrate hatcheries and others), and students also work one half day each week on aquaculture or fisheries field projects on campus (trout farm), or in nearby satellite University facilities (wild salmon hatchery, sturgeon and algae labs). Many courses also involve significant field experience. Over the two years this practical work experience exposes students to a wide variety of activities, and introduces them to the facilities, organizations and personnel important in their future careers.
More info: Click here
Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture (Science and Technology)
Post-Degree Diploma in Fisheries and Aquaculture (Science and Technology)
Bachelor of Natural Resource Protection (Science and Technology)
Careers in fisheries and aquaculture typically involve both outdoor work related to the rearing or assessment of aquatic stocks, and indoor activities related directly to field or support activities, including personnel and business management. Aquaculture is usually practiced in relatively remote areas.
It should be noted that the skills required for both the aquaculturist and the field fisheries technician broadly overlap, and that aquaculture plays an increasingly important role in wild stock management through the employment of hatcheries and fish stock enhancement. Students in this program are prepared for both career areas and after graduation frequently work in both.
Other placements include laboratory, sales, research and international opportunities. Many career opportunities are available to graduates willing to work in outdoor conditions, often in remote areas. Such work often includes field work with wild stocks including habitat assessment in both fresh and salt water, estimates of wild stock population, habitat restoration, research assistance, and monitoring of harvests.
Surveys of former students show a high rate of employment for graduates of the program and a similar high degree of employer satisfaction with our graduates. As of the last survey, over 70 percent of students who have graduated from this program over the previous 15 years are employed in the field of study, and career satisfaction is high.
275 CAD/year
