Fisheries Science

Interested in the Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences program? Get on the Waitlist Now!

We are still accepting student applications for Fall 2024. Students interested in starting the program and not already enrolled should get on the AQUA 101 waitlist. As the waitlist fills, students will be contacted about enrolling in Fall courses. For more information, contact program instructor Brittany at bpalm@btc.edu

Fisheries Sciences - AAS

Are you looking to leave your desk behind and start your outdoor career? Do you have a passion for protecting our natural resources? Do you enjoy the thrill of hiking up a stream or casting off at the dock? If so, then the Fisheries Science AAS Degree is the right choice for you.

There are strong economic and cultural ties to fishing, and these activities are at risk as the demands for seafood outweigh what the ecosystems can provide. Fisheries professionals are tasked with monitoring fish populations to ensure continuing harvests, while protecting sustainable stocks year to year. The on-the-ground boots for these essential duties are fisheries technicians, who provide fisheries managers with the data they need to make sound decisions and set fishing targets.

Students in this degree will gain the critical skills needed to be a successful fisheries technician. Through a variety of field and lab operations, students will learn how to design surveys, operate sampling equipment, and prepare data for management goals. Training courses are offered in both in-person and online formats to increase flexibility for traveling to freshwater and marine field sites, where students will conduct habitat and population assessments.

To further enhance the learning experience, students will work with state and tribal fisheries managers, while learning the essentials of aquatic ecology, fish biology, and fisheries conservation. Students will have the unique experience of working within the “co-management” system, as Washington is the only state in the union that recognizes tribal fishing rights for equal partnership.

Ready to start your career in fisheries science? Your training experience to become a qualified technician awaits in the blue-green waters of the Salish Sea.

Upon completion of this AAS degree, students will also receive the Fundamentals of Aquatic Science and Fisheries Field and Lab 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)

$39,570 starting annual wage2
$44,766 average annual wage2
$52,484 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.

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

  • AENGL 100Applied English5 CR
  • OR
  • ENGL& 101English Composition I5 CR
  • OR Higher
  • AMATH 111Applied Technical Math5 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 241Fisheries Stock Enhancement2 CR
  • AQUA 242Fisheries Stock Enhancement Practicum3 CR
  • AQUA 243Fisheries Ecology with Lab5 CR
  • AQUA 244Principles of Field Sampling5 CR
  • AQUA 245Field Sampling Practicum3 CR
  • AQUA 251Fisheries Conservation5 CR
  • AQUA 298Fisheries Science Internship6 CR
  • TOTAL Program Specialty Course Credits29 CR

  • View past class requirements for this program.

Program Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the AAS degree in Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences, will be able to:

  • Demonstrate competency in hatchery methods and apply appropriate techniques to spawn, incubate, rear and release fish.
  • Utilize proper tools, equipment and protective devices to safeguard against injury to self, others and workplace facilities.
  • Act responsibly and ethically as an employee by being punctual, adhering to company policies and interacting positively and appropriately with co-workers and supervisors.
  • Receive, interpret, and convey written, verbal, and graphic information to communicate effectively with co-workers, management and general public.
  • Compute, calculate, and convert standard and metric measurements for purposes of disease treatment and prevention, and rearing of fish.
  • Observe and comply with environmental laws and regulations related to rearing of fish and the use and disposal of chemicals and drugs.
  • Use current and emerging computerized systems or software to operate equipment, calculate results, keep records, and enter data on proper forms and records.
  • Identify resources to stay current with new and emerging equipment and techniques.

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

  • Degrees and Credentials

    MS, Marine Sciences, University of New England

    BS, Marine Biology, University of New England

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

Photo of Sara Smith
Sara Smith

  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    MS, Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University

    BS, Environmental Science-Freshwater Ecology Emphasis, Western Washington 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