Coho Fry

BA, Minor in Aquaculture


  • Program Length 
    4 Years
  • Credential 
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options 
    Minor
  • Location Offered 
    Nanaimo

The Aquaculture (BA) Program

The Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Aquaculture is designed for students who have an interest in aquaculture but have additional academic and career aspirations. As a ‘Science Minor’ the Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Aquaculture will have the ability to combine with several other major or minor programs (i.e. Economics, Digital Media, Geography, Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies) so that students will be able to develop a multi-disciplinary program. The Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Aquaculture will provide students a broad background knowledge in biological, aquatic, and related sciences plus general knowledge, skills and abilities required in the field. In addition, graduates will possess specific knowledge, skills and abilities required for the sustainable production of aquatic animals. Topics include the culture methods of finfish, shellfish and crustaceans and important methods to maintain animal health and nutrition.

The Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Aquaculture curriculum will be taught using lectures, laboratories, seminars, and experiential learning opportunities at VIU aquatic animal culture and research facilities which include: 1) the Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR); 2) the International Centre for Sturgeon Studies (ICSS); 3) the Deep Bay Marine Field Station (DBMFS) and; 4) the Centre for Innovation in Fish Health (CIFH). Utilizing these state-of-the-art facilities offers students an experience to gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience to prepare them for the workforce. Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Aquaculture will be able to: directly enter the workforce in the discipline of their Major and/or sub-discipline of their Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Aquaculture with relevant and demonstrable research and practical experience; and directly enter positions engaged in a broad array of scientific enquiry, including graduate and professional schools, with relevant knowledge, practical skills and direct research experience.

The Fisheries and Aquaculture programs, including the Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Aquaculture are well supported by the aquaculture industry in British Columbia which employ many of our graduates. The industry supports optional paid Co-op opportunities which offers students direct experience in aquatic culture operations.

For additional information on the program, faculty, and undergraduate research, please visit the VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture Website.

Requirements for a Minor

BA Minor students must fulfill all Institutional B.A. Degree Requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below.

Core Courses

Years 1 and 2

Credits

BIOL 121 - (Introductory Zoology)

4

BIOL 123 - (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology)

4

Select one of the following pairs (CHEM 142 is recommended):
CHEM 140 - (Chemistry Fundamentals I) and,
CHEM 141 - (Chemistry Fundamentals II) or, 
CHEM 142 - (Chemistry Fundamentals II)

8

Select one of (MATH 203 is recommended):
MATH 203 - (Biometrics) 
MATH 211 - (Fundamentals of Statistics I)
QUME 232 - (Business Statistics I)
GEOG 221 - (Statistical Methods in Geography)
MATH 161 - (Introduction to Statistics for Social Sciences) or,
MATH 181 - ((Introduction to Statistics)

3

AQUA 101  - (Introduction to Aquaculture)

3

CHEM 212 - (Environmental Chemical Analysis)

3

Total Credits

25

Years 3 and 4

Credits

AQUA 323  - (Invertebrate Aquaculture)

3

AQUA 328  - (Methods and Techniques of Finfish Culture)

3

AQUA 332  - (Finfish, Shellfish and Crustacean Nutrition)

3

AQUA 342 - (Finfish, Shellfish and Crustacean Health)

3

AQUA 375 - (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS))

3

GEOG 356 - (Policy, Resources and Sustainability)

3

MGMT 381 - (Entre/Intrapreneurship)

3

Total Credits

21

Total Program Credits

46

 

Updated 
Thursday, January 28, 2021

Courses in first year have different prerequisites. To satisfy all first year course prerequisites, students must complete all of the following B.C. Secondary School course requirements.

BA General Admission Requirements

Notes on Admission Requirements

  • Courses in first year have different prerequisites. To satisfy all first year course prerequisites, students must complete all of the following B.C. Secondary School course requirements:
    • A minimum grade of "C" in English 12;
    • A minimum grade of "C+" in each of Biology 11 or 12, Chemistry 11 and 12; and
    • A minimum grade of "B" in Mathematics 12 (Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12).
  • Students who do not satisfy all of the first-year course prerequisites will not likely be able to complete the full degree program in four years. Students who are lacking any or all of the first-year course prerequisites should speak with a VIU Advisor about upgrading courses.

Program Regulations

Prerequisites to most AQUA courses require a minimum “C-“ grade (55%) in the corresponding prerequisite course(s). 

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year*

Amount

Tuition (30 credits x $163.14 per credit)

4,894.20

Student Activity fee (4% of tuition)

195.77

Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.21 per credit)

216.30

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month)

212.72

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

7,283.99
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year*

Amount

Tuition (2 semesters x $10870.72 per semester)

21,741.44

Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester)

926.80

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month)

212.72

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

24,645.96
Notes

Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Updated
Monday, April 3, 2023

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Application Fee
$44.27
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604.485.8033
Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca

Comments

Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604-485-2878 or email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee
$44.27
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee
$44.27
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee
$44.27
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee
$44.27
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 5, 2023
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Accepting International Applications
Yes
Application Fee
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
International Admissions Officer Contact

Name: Elham Akhoundi
Email: Study@viu.ca

Comments

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to World VIU at WorldVIU@viu.ca.
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Jan 8, 2024
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Accepting International Applications
Yes
Application Fee
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
International Admissions Officer Contact

Name: Elham Akhoundi
Email: Study@viu.ca

Comments

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to World VIU at WorldVIU@viu.ca.

Aquaculture (BSc) (Science, Engineering, and Technology Programs)