The goal of the B.S. in Fisheries and Ocean Science with a Concentration in Fisheries Science degree program is to educate undergraduate students in fisheries sciences, with a particular emphasis on the biology, assessment, and management of fish and invertebrate populations and their associated physical, chemical, geological, and biological marine and freshwater environments, in preparation for a career in the fisheries in Alaska and elsewhere. This degree is offered jointly between UAS and UAF; students have the option of completing their degree at Juneau or Fairbanks, most courses listed below can be taken at either university, and many are offered distance or online.  Student research is emphasized throughout the program. Program faculty are actively involved in a wide range of disciplines, including marine ecology, evolution, marine mammalogy, invertebrate physiology, cryobiology, biological oceanography, aquatic contaminant studies, and marine fisheries. The B.S. in Fisheries and Ocean Science with a Concentration in Fisheries Science prepares students for graduate studies in related fields, and provides students with the knowledge base, skill sets and hands-on experience to obtain positions in state, federal, Alaska Native, Native American, and nongovernmental fisheries and natural resources conservation and management agencies in Alaska and throughout North America.

Admission Requirements

Applicants will be considered for full admission to the B.S. in Fisheries and Ocean Science with a Concentration in Fisheries Science, and be assigned a faculty advisor, after completion of the following:

1. MATH S151 (may be met by placement examination)
2. WRTG S111
3. BIOL S115 and BIOL S116
4. High school chemistry or CHEM S103 with a C (2.00) or higher.

Degree Requirements

Candidates must complete the General Education Requirements (GERs), the Alaska Native Knowledge Graduation Requirement, as well as the specific program requirements listed below for a minimum of 120 credit hours.

Courses in a degree program may be counted only once. Courses used to fulfill the major requirements cannot be used to fulfill the GERs. Specific requirements for GERs in Fisheries are listed below. The degree must include 44 credits of upper-division (300 or above) courses, 24 of which must be completed at UAS or UAF.

¹

FISH courses available from UAF.

²

SOC S101 pre-requisite for SOC S404; take as GER.

³

Or other upper-division electives from UAF: Fisheries, Marine Science and Limnology, or Natural Resources Management.

⁴

Only 4 credits from BIOL S375, 4 credits from BIOL S475, and 2 credits from BIOL S492 may be applied toward the Electives.

Upon completion, students will be able to:

1. Gain a broad background in biological sciences.
2. Develop critical thinking skills.
3. Improve oral and written scientific communication skills.
4. Gain practical experiences in basic biological research.