Aquaculture Science

Aquaculture – Shellfish Specialization - AAS

Have you ever looked out at the coast and wondered what the lines of buoys along the surface might be? Chances are, if you are in Washington state, you might be looking at one of the most sustainable forms of agriculture that exists: shellfish farming. Washington continually ranks as the nation’s top producer of farmed shellfish, which includes oysters, clams, and mussels, and is a robust and growing sector of the blue economy. If you share a passion for healthy oceans and providing food for your community, then the Aquaculture- Shellfish Specialization AAS Degree is the right path for you.

Demands for sustainable seafood are on the rise as the global population is projected to exceed 9 billion people in 2050. To help meet this need, domestic seafood production is on the rise, and students in this program will be trained in the essential career skills to join this expanding and in-demand job sector. Students will learn about shellfish reproduction, nutrition, and health, while performing a variety of hatchery and field operations. Training courses are offered in both in-person and online formats to increase scheduling flexibility to allow for continuous live animal and algae care and travel to field sites.

To further enhance the learning experience, students are provided off-site training in a variety of industry partner facilities, including the nation’s largest family-owned shellfish farm. In addition to shellfish aquaculture, students will be exposed to the emerging sector of seaweed farming. Seaweed farming is relatively new to Washington state and is currently the fastest growing sector of aquaculture.

Ready to start your career in shellfish culturing? Your training experience awaits at Washington state’s only dedicated college hatchery for shellfish and seaweed workforce training.

Upon completion of this AAS degree, students will also receive the Aquaculture Theory, Fundamentals of Aquatic Science, and Seaweed and Mollusk Culturing Techniques Certificates.

 

Employment Information

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

63%1 BTC graduate placement rate (Employment Security Department- WA and OR only)
96%3 BTC graduate placement rate (faculty-tracked, national)
78%3 BTC in-field graduate placement rate (faculty-tracked, national)

$48,578 starting annual wage2
$56,268 average annual wage2
$67,999 potential annual wage2

  • Employment and Wage Data Sources and Information

    1Employment data come from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and reflect WA/OR employment for students enrolled at BTC between 2017-18 and 2019-20. Students are included in the employment rate if they left with a credential. Rates are not shown for programs with fewer than 10 students meeting the above criteria.

    2Whatcom County and WA State wage data come from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates and reflect 2018-21 employment. Wage data represent occupations that BTC faculty have identified as the most relevant career paths for program graduates. Note that these wages reflect employees with varying educational levels/credentials. For cases in which multiple occupations have been identified by faculty, a weighted percentile is calculated using each occupation’s percentile wage and employment size estimate. Wages are not shown for programs for which occupations do not meet the ESD’s minimum thresholds for publishing. If the program has wage data from the Washington SBCTC that involves shift work, these ESD wages reflect the same number of hours used in the annual wage calculation. Starting wage = 25th percentile, median wage = 50th percentile, wage potential = 75th percentile.

    3Additional employment rates are provided for programs with faculty who maintain their own employment records of students who graduated between 2017-18 and 2019-20 and who were employed within 9 months of graduation. Both overall and in field of study employment rates are included, respectively. For these programs, the format follows: ESD rate / faculty-tracked overall rate / faculty-tracked in-field rate. These additional, faculty-provided rates are particularly important for programs that tend to have graduates employed outside of WA and OR. Note that due to lack of available data, rates may represent fewer than 3 years of graduates.

  • Estimated Program Costs

Tuition Fees and Rates overview page

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

This program typically starts in Fall quarter.

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.

What are My Next Steps?

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Advising & Registration
4. Prepare to Attend

 

Classes

Total Program Credits: 100

  • Current Students: Learn how to use this page to register for classes

  • General Education Core Courses

  • AMATH 111Applied Technical Math5 CR
  • OR Higher
  • AENGL 100Applied English5 CR
  • OR
  • ENGL& 101English Composition I5 CR
  • OR Higher
  • CMST& 210Interpersonal Communication5 CR
  • OR
  • CMST& 220Public Speaking5 CR
  • OR
  • PSYC& 100General Psychology5 CR
  • OR
  • SOC& 101Introduction to Sociology5 CR
  • TOTAL General Education Core Course Credits15 CR

  • Core Courses for Program

  • AQUA 101Introduction to Applied Sciences2 CR
  • AQUA 111Applied Techniques: Fall3 CR
  • AQUA 112Applied Techniques: Winter1 CR
  • AQUA 113Applied Techniques: Spring2 CR
  • AQUA 121Principles of Aquaculture5 CR
  • AQUA 122Principles of Fisheries Science5 CR
  • AQUA 131Aquatic Chemistry with Lab5 CR
  • AQUA 141Research Methods3 CR
  • AQUA 271Data Analysis for Aquatic Sciences5 CR
  • AQUA 272Introduction to GIS5 CR
  • AQUA 273Animal Genetics with Lab5 CR
  • AQUA 274Organismal Biology with Lab6 CR
  • ENVS& 101Fundamentals of Environmental Science5 CR
  • OCEA& 101Introduction to Oceanography with Lab5 CR
  • TOTAL Core Courses for Program Credits56 CR

  • Program Specialty

  • AQUA 201Aquaculture Internship I6 CR
  • AQUA 221Seaweed Culturing2 CR
  • AQUA 222Microalgae Culturing2 CR
  • AQUA 223Shellfish Hatchery Production2 CR
  • AQUA 224Shellfish and Seaweed Culture Practicum: Winter1 CR
  • AQUA 225Shellfish Farm Production5 CR
  • AQUA 226Shellfish Culture Practicum: Spring1 CR
  • AQUA 252Aquaculture Management5 CR
  • TOTAL Program Specialty Course Credits29 CR
  • AQUA 297Aquaculture Internship II5 CR

Program Outcomes

After successfully completing the AAS degree, students will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate proper shellfish, seaweed, and microalgae culturing techniques for hatchery and farm production. 
  • Design and visualize aquaculture systems that implement industry-standard protocols and best practices. 
  • Describe the form and function of commonly cultured shellfish and seaweed species, as related to reproduction, growth, and health. 
  • Explain current regulations, policies, and permitting in the aquaculture industry that promote sustainable production. 
  • Evaluate industry best practices for food production and restoration, with an emphasis on Pacific Northwest shellfish. 
  • Summarize the fundamental theories of aquatic science, as related to biology, chemistry, ecology, and environmental science. 
  • Produce technical communications to effectively illustrate research skills and data literacy. 
  • Conduct workplace operations in a safe and professional manner with an emphasis on teamwork skills. 

Employment Outlook

The Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences AAS degree prepares students for direct entry into diverse workforce opportunities. Graduates qualify for Hatchery Specialist 2 and Scientific Technician 2 positions with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Biological Technician GS 4 positions with the federal government, and employment in tribal government, private, and nonprofit sectors.

The average annual wage in this field is $45,521, with an earning potential of about $57,231 per year.*

Program graduates work as fish hatchery specialists, fish culturists, fisheries technicians, shellfish hatchery workers, and scientific aides.

Faculty & Support

Photo of Brittany Palm
Brittany Palm
Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences
  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    BS, Marine Biology, University of New England

    MS, Marine Sciences, University of New England

Photo of Sara Smith
Sara Smith
Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences
  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    BS, Environmental Science-Freshwater Ecology Emphasis, Western Washington University

    MS, Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University

Photo of Brittany Palm
Brittany Palm
Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences
  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    BS, Marine Biology, University of New England

    MS, Marine Sciences, University of New England

Photo of Sara Smith
Sara Smith
Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences
  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    BS, Environmental Science-Freshwater Ecology Emphasis, Western Washington University

    MS, Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University

Contacts

If you have questions about this program or want help with the admissions steps to Bellingham Technical College, please email outreach@btc.edu.

Current students wanting academic planning and support, can connect with the program Instructor(s) or email FisheriesNav@btc.edu