Aquarium Science, B.S.

Coordinated with Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC), this program combines core biology, business and general education classes taken at Western Oregon University with aquarium science classes taken at OCCC in Newport. Graduates will be equipped with the skills to pursue careers as aquarists, aquatic biologists and keepers at businesses such as public zoos and aquariums, fish hatcheries, marine education centers, and state and federal natural resource agencies. Rewarding and impactful opportunities await, plus you get to scuba dive!

Four-year degree plan

Meet your professors

credits required for the Aquarium Science major

years of study at WOU

year of study at OCCC

%

of master's degree can be completed as an undergrad at WOU

Sample four-year degree plan

Learning outcomes

Maintain, analyze, diagnose and repair aquarium life support systems and their components.
Maintain healthy animals through proper set-up, monitoring and accepted animal husbandry practices.
Work within a group to conceptualize, plan, construct and manage environments that promote the health of fishes and invertebrates.

Career opportunities

Ornamental fish retailer
Aquaculture technician
Fish and game officer
Aquarist/keeper
Research scientist

Faculty

MICHAEL BALTZLEY

Professor, VP Academic Affairs/Provost
503-838-8832 | baltzlem@wou.edu | DFSC 114

PAUL DISNEY

Adjunct Professor, Business/Economics Division
503-838-8546 | disneyp@wou.edu | WEST 208

MARK ELTON

NTT Instructor, Business/Economics Division
503-838-8359 | eltonm@wou.edu | WEST 107

GARETH HOPKINS

Associate Professor, Biology
503-838-9395 | hopkinsg@wou.edu | NS 021B

KEVEN MALKEWITZ

Professor, Business/Economics Division
503-838-8718 | malkewik@wou.edu | WEST 203

JEFFREY MYERS

Professor, Earth and Environmental Science
503-838-8365 | myersj@wou.edu | NS 213A

RAJEEB POUDEL

Associate Professor, Business/Economics Division
poudelr@wou.edu

JENNIFER YANG

NTT Instructor, Business/Economics Division
503-838-8421 | yangj@wou.edu | WEST 201

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QUESTIONS - Aquarium Science, B.S.

Contact Us

Phone: 503-838-8832

Email: baltzlem@wou.edu

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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