Fish in a tray

Post-Degree Diploma in Fisheries and Aquaculture (one year)

Update your skills to be career ready

This is a very popular program for students that already have a Bachelor's Degree in Science or similar. Students take applied skills oriented courses and advanced specific topics in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture. 

VIU student smiling at the microscope

These courses are taught in conjunction with weekly practicums or work experience placements in one or more of a wide range of situations (government research labs, fisheries habitat and management agencies, shellfish and finfish aquaculture hatcheries and farms, salmon enhancement hatcheries, and environmental consulting firms, etc.). Graduates find the knowledge, practical skills and work experience gained to be excellent direct gateways to careers and graduate school.

VIU student working in the fish lab

Program, courses, and next steps

The Post-degree Diploma is comprised of a set of courses that is tailored to meet individual student's career interests, usually with either a conservation, fisheries management or aquaculture emphasis. Students must complete a total of 36 credits which must include two semesters of practical work experience (FISH 371/372) and two semesters of applied skills courses (FISH 391/392). Electives may be chosen with co-ordination with the chair from courses coded, for example, as AQUA, BIOL, CHEM, CSCI, FISH, FNAT, FRST, or RMOT. For a full list of courses see the Program Course Calendar

Year 1

Credits

FISH 371 and FISH 3721

6

FISH 391 and FISH 3922

6

FISH or AQUA courses

15

Electives 100 level and above3

9

Total

36

1. Work experience placements are to be selected in coordination with the Chair of the Department or Coordinator of the specific courses.

2. Applied skills placements are to be selected in coordination with the Chair of the Department.

3. Electives are to be chosen in consultation with, and must be approved by, the Chair of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The following are suggested courses to be considered and confirmed with the Chair(s) of the program. If you are interested in graduate studies (Master's or Ph. D. degrees), then we recommend a focus on upper level courses that fit with your interests and potential Universities.

Aquaculture

  • Finfish: FISH 127, FISH 231, FISH 254, AQUA 101, AQUA 342
  • Invertebrates: FISH 222, AQUA 101, AQUA 342, AQUA 441 (intersession)
  • Aquatic Plants & Algae: FISH 133
  • General skills: FISH 161, FISH 162
  • General information: MGMT 381, GEOG 356

Environmental Consulting

  • Freshwater focus: FISH 115, FISH 132, FISH 133, FISH 253, FISH 255, FISH 281, FISH 324, RMOT 306, FMOT 400, RMOT 410, RMOT 496, FRST 228,
  • Saltwater focus: FISH 133, FISH 205, FISH 223, FISH 322, FISH 324

If you are interested in graduate studies (Master's or Ph. D. degrees), then we recommend a focus on upper level courses that fit with your interests and potential Universities.

  1. Graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from VIU or elsewhere
  2. Apply to VIU
  3. Receive acceptance letter from VIU
  4. As soon as you are accepted, contact Department Chair or Co-Chair to choose courses for each semester that will cater to your career goals. Domestic and international students can not complete registration without this step!
  5. Register
    • Domestic Students: You are responsible for registering yourself. Please do this as soon as you receive a student number. Log on to your student record and on the left of the screen, click on web registration. You should register for both the Fall and Spring semester at this time. Enter the specific course IDs (example (AQUA 204) in the spaces allotted then click Build me a timetable with these courses. When the timetable comes up, check it over and click Register me in these courses.
    • International Students: Contact Department Chair or Co-Chair to register. Alternatively, if you are in Nanaimo, you can take your list of courses down to international education (building 255 Nanaimo campus map) and register yourself. It is advisable to register for courses before you arrive in Canada (May - June)
  6. Pay tuition deposit
  7. Pay remaining tuition
Fish and Aqua students working in the aquaponics greenhouse

To All Potential International Students

Due to changes announced by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the intake of International Students to our Post-Degree Diploma Program is currently suspended. We, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department are working on reopening this program for International Students.

Please see the recent statement released from VIU. Feel free to contact immigration@viu.ca to book an appointment or ask questions.

VIU student holding a pink starfish

5 reasons to choose this Program

Do you want to:

  1. Complement prior courses with specialized, practical hands-on training
  2. Gain practicum work experience in a variety of fisheries and aquaculture settings
  3. Be career ready for careers in fisheries and aquaculture, environmental consulting and conservation management
  4. Bridge to graduate studies
  5. Pick-up courses towards a Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio), Registered Biology Technologist (RBTech) or Applied Biology Technician (ABT) credentials in British Columbia