Aquaculture Science

Aquaculture – Fish Specialization - AAS

Have you ever wondered how your favorite stream gets stocked with salmon? Or how your local farm-to-table restaurant can serve sustainably raised trout? Or perhaps you are interested in the emerging sector of aquaponics, where fish and plants are farmed together? If this sounds like you, then the Aquaculture- Fish Specialization AAS Degree is the right path to start your new career.

Fish can be cultured in a variety of ways for several purposes. Here in Washington State, which supports the world’s largest hatchery system, fish culturists are in high demand to support local fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. Students in this degree learn how to raise salmon and trout for stocking purposes, with a focus on releasing Chinook to help feed the starving and endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Students also gain experience with rearing tilapia in our program’s 1,000-gallon aquaponics system while also learning the fundamentals of aquaculture engineering and design, systems maintenance and operations, and water quality monitoring.

Students in this degree will have a combination of in-person and online courses to increase scheduling flexibility to allow for continuous live animal care and travel to field sites. Animal care training includes broodstock management, egg fertilization and incubation, feeding and nutrition, growth and health assessments, and best strategies for release and harvest operations. To further enhance the learning experience, students are provided off-site training in a variety of state and tribal hatcheries, in addition to the award winning BTC-operated Whatcom Creek Hatchery.

Ready to start your career in fish culturing? Your training experience awaits at the state’s only college fish hatchery and one of the most unique training facilities on the West Coast.

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

Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences Video

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
Estimated costs based on 7 quarters to complete this program
The first quarter of study will likely be more expensive as students pay for materials needed to start the program.
Average Tuition and Fees per Quarter: $2,700
Average cost per credit: $189
Total Tuition and Fees: $18,900
Average annual cost of living in Bellingham
Living expenses (housing and food): $16,512
Transportation: $1,935
Miscellaneous/Personal: $1,800
TOTAL: $20,247

Tuition Fees and Rates overview page

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

This program starts Fall, Winter, and Spring.

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
You are now able to sign up for classes in ctcLink using the class list below. It requires certain steps to work smoothly. Please read and follow the instructions:
Once at the beginning of each session:
- Follow the link below which will open the ctcLink login screen in a new browser tab
- In the new tab login to ctcLink
- Return back to this tab
These steps log you into ctcLink and keep you logged in until you log out manually or close your browser. If you or a public computer it is good security practice to logout and close all browser windows when you are done.
Proceed to ctcLink login in new window
For each class:
- Click on the name of the class below to show future offerings
- Click the 'Find in ctcLink' button below the class you wish to find. (Button will only show if registration is open.)
- A new tab with the ctcLink Class Search tool will open
- Without changing any of the filter options, click the 'Search' button
- Only the specific class you selected will show. If logged in following the steps above, you will be able to register for the class.

General Education Core Courses

AMATH 111

Applied Technical Math

5 CR

OR Higher

English Composition I

5 CR

OR Higher

CMST& 210

Interpersonal Communication

5 CR

Designed to introduce students to the application of basic interpersonal communication theory, with a focus on achieving success in the workplace. Topics explored include self-awareness, self-disclosure, conversation skills, relationship development and maintenance, assertiveness, teamwork and group dynamics, conflict management strategies, and communicating in a diverse world.
Prerequisites:
Placement into AENGL 100 or higher or completion of ENGL 095 with a C or higher.

Current & Future Offerings:

Spring 2025
04/08/2025-06/27/2025	TTh	10:10 AM-11:30 AM	Burns	Hybrid Synchronous
This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
04/08/2025-06/27/2025	MW	11:50 AM-1:10 PM	Burns	Hybrid Synchronous
This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
04/08/2025-06/27/2025			Zamora	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
04/08/2025-06/27/2025			Zamora	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
04/08/2025-06/27/2025	T	2:10 PM-4:20 PM	Burns	Hybrid Synchronous
This is a hybrid class. The class meets both face-to-face and online for scheduled classes at specific times.
04/08/2025-06/27/2025			Waters	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Summer 2025
07/08/2025-08/29/2025			Burns	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
07/08/2025-08/29/2025			Burns	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.

Introduction to Sociology

5 CR

TOTAL General Education Core Course Credits 15 CR
Core Courses for Program

AQUA 101

Introduction to Applied Sciences

2 CR

AQUA 111 Applied Techniques: Fall 3 CR
This course focuses on hands-on, applied skill development in hatchery and field techniques occurring in the fall. Activities include spawning Pacific salmon at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife hatcheries, conducting stream surveys to evaluate ecosystem health, and collecting and processing biological samples for monitoring purposes. This course requires flexible time for continuous live animal care and field operations.
Prerequisites:
Completion of AQUA 101 with a C- or higher OR concurrent enrollment in AQUA 101.
Current & Future Offerings:
AQUA 112 Applied Techniques: Winter 1 CR
This course focuses on hands-on, applied skill development in hatchery and field techniques occurring in the winter. Activities include Pacific salmon egg and juvenile care, trout husbandry, seaweed and shellfish hatchery production, and laboratory analysis of biological samples. This course requires flexible time for continuous live animal care and field operations.
Prerequisites:
Completion of AQUA 101 with a C- or higher OR concurrent enrollment in AQUA 101.
Current & Future Offerings:
AQUA 113 Applied Techniques: Spring 2 CR
This course focuses on hands-on, applied skill development in hatchery and field techniques occurring in the spring. Activities include conducting population surveys and habitat assessments in freshwater and marine systems, Pacific salmon juvenile care and marking, and shellfish farm production. This course requires flexible time for continuous live animal care and field operations.
Prerequisites:
Completion of AQUA 101 with a C- or higher OR concurrent enrollment in AQUA 101.
Current & Future Offerings:
AQUA 121 Principles of Aquaculture 5 CR
An introduction to the field of aquatic organism culturing as related to food and commercial production, wild stock enhancement, and conservation purposes. It addresses the history of the industry, the diversity of rearing strategies, best practices in both private and public settings, and emerging technologies.
Prerequisites:
Completion of AQUA 101 with a C- or higher OR concurrent enrollment in AQUA 101.

AQUA 122

Principles of Fisheries Science

5 CR

AQUA 131

Aquatic Chemistry with Lab

Data Analysis for Aquatic Sciences

5 CR

AQUA 272 Introduction to GIS 5 CR
An introduction to describing and analyzing geographical issues using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This course covers the nature of spatial data and thematic mapping through lectures and hand-on activities.
Prerequisites:
AQUA 141 with a C- or higher.

AQUA 273

Animal Genetics with Lab

5 CR

AQUA 274

Organismal Biology with Lab

6 CR

ENVS& 101

Fundamentals of Environmental Science

5 CR

OCEA& 101

Introduction to Oceanography with Lab

5 CR

TOTAL Core Courses for Program Credits 56 CR
Program Specialty

AQUA 201

Aquaculture Internship I

6 CR

A hands-on and supervised internship with a professional organization in the aquaculture field. Students will further develop the technical and professional skills necessary for employment. Internship placements may include government, private industry, non-profit, or other relevant sectors. This is the first in a series of two required aquaculture internships.
Prerequisites:
Instructor permission only.

Current & Future Offerings:

Summer 2025
07/08/2025-08/29/2025	Palm	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
07/08/2025-08/29/2025	Smith	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Fall 2025
09/17/2025-12/05/2025	Palm	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
09/17/2025-12/05/2025	Smith	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Winter 2026
01/06/2026-03/27/2026	Palm	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
01/06/2026-03/27/2026	Smith	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
Spring 2026
04/07/2026-06/25/2026	Palm	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
04/07/2026-06/25/2026	Smith	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.

AQUA 233

Fish Culture: Broodstock & Early Life

2 CR

AQUA 234 Fish Culture Practicum: Winter 1 CR
A hatchery-based course that implements the theories and skills covered in AQUA 233. It provides continued development and practice for the culturing of fish, with an emphasis on broodstocking and early life stages. This course requires flexible time for continuous live animal care, which includes water quality monitoring, maintenance of incubation and pond systems, measuring and assessing fish development, and creating hatchery logs for performance reviews.
Prerequisites:
AQUA 101 and AQUA 121, both with a C- or higher.
Current & Future Offerings:

Fish Culture: Nutrition & Health

2 CR

AQUA 237 Fish Culture Practicum: Spring 2 CR
A hatchery-based course that implements the theories and skills covered in AQUA 235 and AQUA 236. It provides continued development and practice for the culturing of fish, with an emphasis on sustainable production. This course requires flexible time for continuous live animal care, which includes monitoring growth and health, operating an aquaponics system, salmonid rearing and releasing operations, live feed production, and creating hatchery logs for performance reviews.
Prerequisites:
AQUA 101 and AQUA 121, both with a C- or higher. AQUA 235 and AQUA 236, both with a with a C- or higher OR concurrent enrollment AQUA 235 and AQUA 236.
Current & Future Offerings:

AQUA 241

Fisheries Stock Enhancement

2 CR

AQUA 242 Fisheries Stock Enhancement Practicum 3 CR
A hatchery and field-based course that implements the theories and skills covered in AQUA 241. It provides continued development and practice for the culturing and monitoring of salmonids, with an emphasis on stock enhancement. This course requires flexible time for continuous live animal care and field operations, which includes escapement monitoring, broodstock collection, biological sampling and processing, and spawning operations.
Prerequisites:
AQUA 101, AQUA 122, and AQUA 241, all with a C- or higher OR concurrent enrollment in AQUA 101, AQUA 122, and AQUA 241.
Current & Future Offerings:

AQUA 252

Aquaculture Management

5 CR

AQUA 297 Aquaculture Internship II 5 CR
A hands-on and supervised internship with a professional organization in the aquaculture field. Students will enhance and practice the technical and professional skills necessary for employment. Internship placements may include government, private industry, non-profit, or other relevant sectors. This is the second in a series of two required aquaculture internships.
Prerequisites:
AQUA 201 with a C- or higher.
Current & Future Offerings:
TOTAL Program Specialty Course Credits 29 CR

View past class requirements for this program.
Select the year you started or the closest prior:

Program Outcomes

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

Demonstrate proper fish culturing techniques, as related to 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 fish 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 stock enhancement, restoration, and food production, with an emphasis on Pacific Northwest salmon and trout.
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

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

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

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

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

Estimated Program Costs
Estimated costs based on 7 quarters to complete this program
The first quarter of study will likely be more expensive as students pay for materials needed to start the program.
Average Tuition and Fees per Quarter: $2,700
Average cost per credit: $189
Total Tuition and Fees: $18,900
Average annual cost of living in Bellingham
Living expenses (housing and food): $16,512
Transportation: $1,935
Miscellaneous/Personal: $1,800
TOTAL: $20,247

Tuition Fees and Rates overview page

Winter 2026
01/06/2026-03/27/2026			Tomtan	Online Asynchronous
LAB	M	8:30 AM-10:30 AM	Tomtan	Face to Face
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
01/06/2026-03/27/2026			Tomtan	Online Asynchronous
LAB	M	11:00 AM-1:00 PM	Tomtan	Face to Face
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.

Winter 2026
01/06/2026-03/27/2026			Tomtan	Online Asynchronous
LAB	W	8:30 AM-10:30 AM	Tomtan	Face to Face
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.
01/06/2026-03/27/2026			Tomtan	Online Asynchronous
LAB	W	11:00 AM-1:00 PM	Tomtan	Face to Face
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.

Spring 2025
04/08/2025-06/27/2025			Tomtan	Hybrid Asynchronous
LAB	M	9:30 AM-11:30 AM	Tomtan	Hybrid Synchronous
This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.
04/08/2025-06/27/2025			Tomtan	Hybrid Asynchronous
LAB	M	12:00 PM-2:00 PM	Tomtan	Hybrid Synchronous
This is a hybrid class. The class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times; all online work is completed asynchronously.

Spring 2025
04/08/2025-06/27/2025	Hegeberg	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.

Spring 2025
04/08/2025-06/27/2025	MW	8:30 AM-10:40 AM	Burns	Face to Face
This class meets face-to-face for scheduled classes at specific times. There is no online instruction, although an online learning platform may be used supplementally.

Spring 2025
04/08/2025-06/27/2025	Pollard	Online Asynchronous
The class is taught completely online. There are no scheduled class times that are required; all online work is completed asynchronously. There is no face-to-face instruction.

Aquaculture Science

Aquaculture Science

Aquaculture – Fish Specialization - AAS

Employment Information

Employment and Wage Data Sources and Information

Estimated Program Costs

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

What are My Next Steps?

Classes

Total Program Credits: 100

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

General Education Core Courses

Core Courses for Program

Program Specialty

View past class requirements for this program.

Program Outcomes

Employment Outlook

Faculty & Support

Brittany Palm

Degrees and Credentials

Sara Smith

Degrees and Credentials

Brittany Palm

Degrees and Credentials

Sara Smith

Degrees and Credentials

Contacts

Estimated Program Costs