Aquarium Science

The Aquarium Science, B.S., degree is a unique program that links the educational strengths of Western Oregon University and Oregon Coast Community College. AQS students begin their academic career at WOU in Monmouth and establish a foundation in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Business before completing their career-specific training at OCCC in Newport.

At Western Oregon University, students take courses such as Introduction to Oceanography, Animal Behavior and Comparative Animal Physiology to learn about aquatic ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them. Because many students will ultimately pursue careers at small public aquaria or at aquarium stores where they need to be able to manage business operations, not just the organisms under their care, Aquarium Science students also take courses such as Financial Accounting and Principles of Marketing.

At Oregon Coast Community College, students will gain hands-on experience at a one of a kind facility. The AQS curriculum at OCCC is widely recognized as one of the best programs in the country to learn aquatic animal husbandry.  The Teaching Aquarium at OCCC includes aquarium systems designed to teach students how to work with jellyfish, live corals, elasmobranchs, temperate marine animals, and tropical marine animals. Please visit the OCCC Aquarium Science website to learn more about the opportunities at the OCCC campus.

The complete Aquarium Science curriculum can be found here: Aquarium Science, B.S.

If you have questions about the Aquarium Science, B.S., degree, please contact Dr. Michael Baltzley (baltzlem@wou.edu, 503-838-8832).