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Studies & Degrees in Aquatic Sciences

Aquatic science is the study of the planet's ocean and freshwater environments. The Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) divides it into two main branches: oceanography, which deals with oceans and estuaries, and limnology, the study of inland waters such as lakes, rivers, streams, ponds and wetlands. Fisheries science and aquaculture, the farming of fish and shellfish, are the applied side of the field.

Students combine biology, chemistry, physics and geology with field and laboratory work. According to ASLO, aquatic scientists study water movement, water chemistry, aquatic organisms and ecosystems, the movement of materials in and out of those ecosystems, and the use of water by people. The questions range from global ocean change to local ones, such as finding the source of pollution in a drinking water supply or conserving an endangered population.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degree. Degree titles vary. The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington offers a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Conservation and Ecology, plus a minor in Freshwater Science and Management. Purdue University has an aquatic sciences major with focus areas in fisheries and aquaculture and in marine and freshwater biology. At Colorado State University, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences is a concentration within the Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology major. The University of Cape Coast in Ghana offers a four-year BSc in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.
  • Master's degree. Master's programmes are usually research-based. The MS at the University of Washington typically requires a research thesis. In Spain, the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC) coordinates the official Máster Universitario en Acuicultura with the universities of A Coruña and Vigo: 90 ECTS credits over two academic years, 10 places, taught in Spanish and Galician. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. Outside the directory list, the University of Jyväskylä in Finland offers a two-year master's (120 ECTS credits) with the title Aquatic Sciences, taught in English.
  • Doctorate. A PhD is the route into research. The University of Washington requires a minimum of two years of residence for its PhD. The University of Cape Coast offers MPhil and PhD programmes in aquaculture, fisheries science, oceanography and limnology, and integrated coastal zone management.
  • Short courses and internships. The ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) is a research institute that runs courses and internships for university students.

Some degrees are linked to professional certification. Purdue states that its aquatic sciences major meets the requirements to apply for certification as an Associate Fisheries Professional of the American Fisheries Society after graduation.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 9 active schools for aquatic sciences: three in the United States, two in Spain and one each in Japan, Ghana, Bermuda and Chile.

  • United States: the University of Washington in Seattle, Purdue University in West Lafayette and Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Teaching is in English.
  • Spain: the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela and the Universitat de Barcelona. The USC aquaculture master's covers the design and management of inland and marine facilities and environmental impact assessment.
  • Japan: The University of Tokyo, whose Department of Aquatic Bioscience covers aquatic life science, production, the environment and the use of aquatic resources.
  • Ghana: the University of Cape Coast, on the Gulf of Guinea.
  • Bermuda: ASU BIOS, which holds some of the longest-running sets of ocean observations in the world.
  • Chile: the Universidad de Concepción, which has a Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas.

When comparing programmes, check whether the focus is freshwater, marine or fisheries, how much fieldwork and boat or station time is included, the research areas of the staff, and the language of instruction.

Careers

Graduates work in environmental monitoring and water management, fisheries and aquaculture, conservation, consultancy, public agencies and research. The University of Jyväskylä describes a need for people trained in aquatic science, from species identification and monitoring to restoration, management and modelling, and notes that graduates increasingly work in companies as well as in universities and research institutes.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has no separate category for aquatic scientists. Marine biologists are counted among zoologists and wildlife biologists, who typically need a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions, may need a master's degree for higher-level jobs and typically need a PhD to lead research. Employment in that group is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035. Environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in a natural science, and their employment is projected to grow 6 percent over the same period.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between limnology and oceanography?

Oceanography studies oceans and estuaries. Limnology studies inland waters such as lakes, rivers, streams, ponds and wetlands. Aquatic science covers both.

Is aquatic science the same as marine biology?

No. Marine biology deals with life in the sea. Aquatic science is wider: it includes fresh water as well as the ocean, and the chemistry, physics and geology of water as well as its organisms.

Can I study aquatic sciences in Spain?

The SpainExchange directory lists two Spanish universities for this subject. One of them, the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, coordinates an official master's in aquaculture of 90 ECTS credits, taught in Spanish and Galician.

Do I need a PhD to work in this field?

Not for every job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a bachelor's degree is typical for entry-level positions in zoology and wildlife biology, while a PhD is typically needed to lead research projects.