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2-year Diploma Program

First Year

During the FALL semester students participate in courses such as:

  1. Danielle feedig fish in the warm water hatcheryAQUA 100T (Introductory Field Trip I) (0)
  2. FISH 132 (Aquatic Habitats) (3)
  3. FISH 211 (Life History and Management of Salmonids) (3)
  4. AQUA 227 (Fish Husbandry I) (3)
  5. BIOL 121 (Introductory Zoology) (4)
  6. ENGL 115 (University Writing & Research) (3)
  7. *AQUA 171T (Field Practicum I) (1)
  8. **AQUA 191T (Project in Husbandry I) (1)
  • Total 18 credits: Approx domestic tuition = $2,376.92 CAD (includes student activity fee and student union fees)

During the SPRING semester students participate in courses such as:

  1. Julie with aquaponics project: Combined culture of vegetables and fishFISH 131 (Biology of Fishes) (4)
  2. AQUA 122 (Fish Husbandry II) (3)
  3. AQUA 204 (Aquatic Plant Ecology & Culture) (4)
  4. MATH 181 (Intro to Statistics) (3)
  5. AQUA 162T (Shop Skills) (1)
  6. *AQUA 172T (Field Practicum II) (1)
  7. **AQUA 192T (Project in Husbandry II) (1)

 

8. Summer Job (AQUA 173T) Work Experience (1): : Students will work in fisheries or aquaculture summer jobs between their first and second year. Assistance in finding jobs is provided by VIU Faculty, and students will receive credit for the summer practicum courses on completion of an oral presentation. Check out the jobs page for employment opportunities!

  • Total 18 credits: Approx domestic tuition = $2,376.92 CAD (includes student activity fee and student union fees)

Second Year

Students in the second year are exposed to more advanced and specialized topics in fisheries and aquaculture.

During the FALL semester students participate in courses such as:

  1. Nick holding a white sturgeon during sturgeon projectFISH 253 (Fisheries Engineering I—Hydrology) (3)
  2. AQUA 241 (Fish Health) (4)
  3. AQUA 205 (Invertebrate Zoology) (4)
  4. FISH 281 (Fisheries Field Techniques) (3)
  5. AQUA 211 (Trout Culture I) (3)
  6. *AQUA 271T (Field Practicum III) (1)
  7. **AQUA 291T (Project in Husbandry III) (1)

 

  • Total 19 credits: Approx domestic tuition = $2,505.52 CAD (includes student activity fee and student union fees)

 

During the SPRING semester students participate in courses such as:

  1. Ron counting parasites during fish health projectAQUA 212 (Trout Culture II) (3)
  2. AQUA 222 (Larval Rearing & Invertebrate Culture) (4)
  3. AQUA 231 (Warm Water Fish Culture) (3)
  4. FISH 423 (Fisheries Management) (3)
  5. AQUA 254 (Fisheries Engineering II—Hydraulics) (3)
  6. *AQUA 272T (Field Practicum IV) (1)
  7. **AQUA 292T (Project in Husbandry IV) (1)
  • Total 18 credits: Approx domestic tuition = $2,2376.92 CAD (includes student activity fee and student union fees)

* Field Practicum I/II/III/IV (AQUA 171T/172T/271T/272T): In addition to course work, students participate in weekly practical field placements at federal & provincial salmon enhancement hatcheries, private fish and shellfish hatcheries & grow out sites, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, various provincial ministries, non-profit organizations, and environmental consulting companies. In the first year, students rotate to various placements every 3 weeks. In the second year, students choose their practicum site and stay there for the entire year.

**Project in Husbandry I/II/III/IV (AQUA 191T/192T/291T/292T): Students also work one half day each week on a fisheries and aquaculture related project such as algae culture, aquaponics, fish health, salmon stock assessment, sturgeon culture, trout culture or shellfish culture. A fisheries and aquaculture department faculty member coordinates each project.

 

Graduates of the Diploma Program in Fisheries and Aquaculture may choose to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Fisheries and Aquaculture. In this instance, students are given up to two years of advanced credit (60 credits) towards their Bachelor of Science Degree.

Diploma graduates need to apply for the B.Sc. This should be done between November 15 - August 15.