Plunge into a Thriving Career in Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics at UNE

Take a deep dive into the mysterious world beneath the water’s surface. Become skilled in caring for the aquatic animals and plants that populate our zoos and aquariums and learn the intricacies of the fastest growing sector of the food industry: the cultivation of marine and freshwater species. 

With the only Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics in the U.S., UNE is the ideal place for your studies — and our unique riverside and oceanfront campus offers endless opportunities for hands-on learning.

When you graduate, you’ll be ready for a range of aquatic science professions in the fields of marine and freshwater aquaculture and in the educational, maintenance, and design needs of local, regional, and national aquarium museums and businesses.

Two students test water in the marine science center
A student working with a tall red plant in an aquaponics lab

Why UNE for Your Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics?

Located at the convergence of the Saco River and Atlantic Ocean, we offer direct access to both fresh and salt waters as well as cutting-edge facilities. Other benefits of our program include:

  • Recirculating aquaculture, aquaponics, and flow-through seawater systems
  • Aquarium Science and Conservation Lab
  • Zebrafish facility
  • On-campus administration of AALSO (Aquatic Animal Life Support Organization) Level 1 Certification exam
Photo of U N E student Katie Bergin

Katie Bergin ’23

Aquaculture and Aquarium Science

Why UNE

I chose UNE because of its strong aquaculture major. When I took a tour of the campus, I spoke with who would eventually become my advisor in the aquaculture program and she sold me on the school. Over time, I began to develop strong professional and personal relationships [with my professors]. I wanted to learn from the best, and I was able to do that with my UNE education.

UNE has a very chill community. [The students] are not uptight which allows for a lot of people to feel welcome and vibe with each other.

Experiential Learning

During my last two semesters at UNE, I had an internship [on-campus] where I designed, built, and cared for a saltwater system with seahorses. The [College of Arts and Sciences] Internship Office helped support me during my internship. They helped me set up my learning outcomes and support with time management.

During my internship, I built and plumbed two 50 gallon tanks and cared for the empty tanks before the seahorses arrived. Once they arrived, the seahorses had to be fed twice a day. So for the spring semester, part of my internship was to create and manage a team of students to help care for the seahorses.

My UNE internship eventually led me to present at a national aquaculture convention where I ended up networking with my future employer. I’m very grateful for the whole experience.

I chose UNE because of its strong aquaculture major. I wanted to learn from the best, and I was able to do that with my UNE education.

Aquaculture and Aquarium Science

What Will You Study? Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics Curriculum Overview

There are many ways you can navigate this major. The following are some examples of the exciting courses that you can take:

  • Principles of Aquaculture
  • Techniques in Finfish and Shellfish Culture
  • Health, Nutrition, and Feeding of Cultured Organisms
  • Fish Genetics
  • Principles of Aquarium Operations and Science
  • Environmental Microbiology

Meet our faculty and professional staff

Study Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics on the Gulf of Maine

Career Paths for Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics Grads

While developing a solid foundation in aquatic sciences, you will acquire strong analytical business skills, master vast technical skills, and nurture your ability to work closely with others through classes, research, and internships. Virtually all of our graduates are employed in their field or accepted into graduate school within six months of receiving their diplomas, so we know that our students leave the program ready to succeedIn fact, 95% of UNE graduates are employed or pursuing higher education within one year of graduating.

  • Aquatic Collection Curator
  • Entrepreneur
  • Breeder
  • Water Quality Technician
  • Fish Farmer
  • Veterinarian
  • Hatchery Manager
  • Fisheries Biologist

Career Advising for Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics

Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.

Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics Facilities

UNE offers some of the best research, lab, and classroom facilities in the nation for the study of marine science — including state-of-the-art marine science buildings, a fleet of research vessels, and our own research island — and you can access all of them right from our main campus in Biddeford, Maine.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Marine Science Center

Experiential Learning in Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics

Our Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics degree program provides a skills-heavy, hands-on curriculum that uses an applied approach to marine and freshwater aquatic sciences, giving you real-world experiences — because studying is not the same as doing.

Clubs for Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics Majors

  • Aquaponics club: Provides learning and leadership opportunities within the School of Marine Programs’ student-managed aquaponics lab. The club is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of systems within the lab space and for tending to the fish and plants the systems are centered around. Club members receive hands-on experience with the plumbing and infrastructure required for recirculating aquaculture systems, as well as IACUC training on how to properly care for the fish in the system in compliance with federal regulations. The club’s efforts culminate in the display of edible plants at the living wall in the commons and in the Edible Campus Markets held twice a year to augment the UNE Sustainability Office’s Edible Campus Initiative.
  • Aquarium club: Students are given the opportunity to learn and take care of fresh and saltwater tanks. Students learn about different species of fish and how to take care of an aquarium. These students are chosen by the advisor to help with care and maintenance.

Internships in Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics

Our active community partnership with many organizations provides work experience at diverse sites, including:

  • Nonesuch Oyster Co.
  • New England Aquarium Services
  • Saco Salmon Restoration Alliance and Hatchery
  • Gaia Live
  • Easy Aquariums

For more information email the Academic and Career Advising Center at advising@yilunjianshe.com.

Skills and Opportunities learned in Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics

  • Learn to care for aquatic animals and plants
  • Design and operate aquaponics systems
  • Master the principles of water movement and filtration
  • Perform your own research, beginning your first year
  • Attend and present at national conferences

Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics Research Opportunities

Undergraduate research is an essential part of our programs, no matter which major you choose. You will conduct research in the field through your regular coursework beginning in your freshman year, with additional opportunities to gain experience through faculty labs and multi-institutional initiatives. You will perform research beside quality faculty with decades of industry experience and research. 

Research Areas in Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics

The field of Marine Science is as broad and diverse as the vast oceans that cover most of our planet. At UNE we touch upon all facets of marine science with special focuses in the following areas of research.

  • Applied Marine Technology
  • Biology of Marine Organisms
  • Food from the Ocean
  • Human Impacts on the Ocean

Learn About Aquaculture Research at UNE

Applied Marine Technology

Applied marine technology is a crucial marine programs research area that cuts across all others. Robotics, research vessels, remote and autonomous underwater vehicles, environmental monitoring, and modeling are all vital tools that enable modern marine research to occur. Researchers in this area are interested in innovations in and novel applications for marine technology.

Biology of Marine Organisms

Our marine programs faculty and professional staff conduct a wide range of research in the areas of biology and ecology of marine organisms. This research area is very broad and ranges from marine genetics to the migration patterns of large animals like sharks, seals, and whales. From seaweed to sharks — plankton to pinnipeds (seals!) our team covers it all.

Food from the Ocean

With a global human population headed towards 10 billion by 2050, understanding the interactions between the ocean and what we eat is more important than ever. Our location on the coast of Maine has a deep heritage and connections to the people and communities who have harvested food from the sea, and the ecosystems that provide it. We have robust research and education programs in this focus area, including fisheries science and management, ecological aquaculture, marine entrepreneurship, migration of highly migratory species, and food web ecology.

Human Impacts on the Ocean

Evidence of human impact on the ocean is everywhere, not just limited to our coastal oceans. Plastics and chemicals have been documented from the deepest depths of the global seas, while climate change affects all aspects of the ocean. More and more, we cannot separate studying the natural ocean environment apart from human influence. Fisheries, microplastics, policy, pollution, conservation, and restoration all fall into this category. UNE marine programs faculty, professional staff, and students are focused on research and solutions across the spectrum of human influence on our seas.

Research Fellowships in Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics

In addition to lab classes and faculty lab positions, UNE provides pathways for students to obtain research experience through fellowships from partners and programs including Pratt & Whitney, Bristol Seafood, SEANET, and the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience.

A student in snorkel gear floats at the surface of the ocean while holding small live crabs

Global Education in Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics

In addition to opportunities to spend a semester abroad in Tangier, Morocco, or Seville, Spain for the same cost as studying at UNE’s Maine campuses, you may choose to enroll in one of our marine sciences-related travel courses. To enroll in these courses and learn more, visit the Global Education Program website.

Interested in studying abroad? Make a plan with your advisor.

MAR 451: Natural History and Evolution of the Galápagos Fauna

This course is designed to familiarize you with the biota of the Galápagos Islands, island history, ecology, and the behavior and evolution of the islands' animals.

Galápagos Islands Course

Semester-Long Study Abroad Program

Spend a semester abroad in Akureyri on the northeast coast of Iceland. You'll be studying in Iceland's second-largest urban area surrounded by mountains and fjords.

ICELAND PROGRAM

 Faculty and students hike Sólheimajökull glacier

The Institute for North Atlantic Studies of the University of New England is an education and research leader for Maine connected to the North Atlantic/Arctic region grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and built to support local to global collaborative approaches to shared challenges and opportunities.

UNE NORTH

Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, and Aquaponics FAQ