The Aquaculture and Fisheries Management track blends chemistry, mathematics, and biology basics with the advanced techniques necessary to sustainably manage wild fish populations or inland fishery/aquaculture operations. Courses are designed to focus on the integration of applied fisheries management and aquaculture production disciplines, preparing students to handle traditional and emerging, complex issues. Core areas of study include fish biology and disease, hatchery management, commercial aquaculture production, restoration and stock enhancement aquaculture aquatic ecosystem management, and water quality management.
Upon graduation, students will meet the basic qualifications to apply for the American Fisheries Society’s Associate Fisheries Professional certification, and later the Certified Fisheries Professional certification following professional experience, providing competitive credentials in today’s job market. Students will be prepared to seek employment in a variety of careers spanning government agencies, such as Texas Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or private aquaculture operations.
Plan of Study Grid First Year |
Fall |
AGEC 105 | Introduction to Agricultural Economics | 3 |
BIOL 111 | Introductory Biology I | 4 |
ENGL 210 | Technical and Professional Writing | 3 |
MATH 140 | Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences 1 | 3 |
RWFM 101 | Exploring Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management | 1 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
Spring |
BIOL 112 | Introductory Biology II | 4 |
COMM 203 | Public Speaking | 3 |
ECCB 205 | Fundamentals of Ecology | 3 |
ECCB 215 | Fundamentals of Ecology--Laboratory | 1 |
MATH 142 | Business Calculus | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
Second Year |
Fall |
CHEM 119 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I | 4 |
POLS 206 | American National Government | 3 |
RWFM 202 | Concepts in Applied Plant Biology | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
POLS 207 | State and Local Government | 3 |
RWFM 305 | Principles and Practices of Wildlife and Fisheries Management | 3 |
RWFM 314 | Principles of Rangeland Management Around the World | 3 |
RWFM 345
| Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management and Policy
or Natural Resources Policy | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 12 |
Summer |
RWFM 333 | Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Field Techniques | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 3 |
Third Year |
Fall |
ECCB 302 | Diversity and Evolution of Vertebrates | 3 |
RWFM 321 | Communicating Natural Resources | 3 |
RWFM 370 | Aquatic Vegetation Identification and Management | 3 |
STAT 302 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
2 | 4 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
AGEC 325 | Principles of Farm and Ranch Management | 3 |
RWFM 308 | Fish and Wildlife Laws and Administration | 3 |
RWFM 371 | Fisheries and Small Impoundment Management | 3 |
RWFM 404
| Aquatic Ecosystems
or Aquaculture Production and Hatchery Management | 3 |
| 2-3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Summer |
RWFM 484 | Internship | 1 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 1 |
Fourth Year |
Fall |
ECCB 311 | Ichthyology | 3 |
RWFM 351 | Geographic Information Systems for Resource Management | 3 |
RWFM 375 | Conservation of Natural Resources | 3 |
RWFM 410
| Principles of Fisheries Techniques and Management
or Aquatic Animal Nutrition, Diet Formulation and Feeding | 3-4 |
| 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Spring |
RWFM 350
| Wildlife and Fisheries Population Dynamics
or Fish Health and Diseases | 3 |
RWFM 446 | Fish Physiology | 3 |
RWFM 481 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
| 3 |
2 | 4 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 |
Graduation requirements include a requirement for 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses. A course satisfying a Core category, a college/department requirement, or a free elective can be used to satisfy this requirement. Select in consultation with an academic advisor.