M.S. and Ph.D. in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources

The graduate program in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources is designed to train professionals for a career in aquaculture and related industries or for further academic training. The M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are intended to have a strong basis in the biological and/or physical sciences with additional training and research opportunities in areas such as aquatic health, physiology and nutrition, aquaculture production, engineering, food science & technology, social sciences, policy and economics.

The Program Faculty come from multiple disciplinary areas including engineering, pathology, physiology, nutrition, seafood processing and population and habitat modeling. Faculty work with a variety of aquatic species including, but not limited to: cod, halibut, salmon, trout, oysters, clams, mussels, sea urchins, sea horses, abalone, seaweed, and lobsters.

Consideration for admission to the M.S. program will be given to applicants holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or the equivalent in one of the general areas of biology, animal science, food science, nutrition or engineering. Admission to the Ph.D. program requires a master’s degree or equivalent in a science-related discipline with prior research experience. Applicants are expected to have at least a 3.0 grade-point average. Scores from the Graduate Record Examination aptitude test (GRE) will be evaluated along with undergraduate transcripts and references from persons knowledgeable of the student’s academic potential and work ethic. Since admission into the program depends on obtaining a suitable faculty advisor, interested students should begin the application process by first contacting potential faculty advisors to find out if they anticipate accepting new students. If an Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources faculty member encourages you to apply, indicate the faculty member’s name and your proposed research area in your application’s Statement of Purpose. Once submitted, the completed application will be considered by a five-member Program Committee representing at least three of the participating units.

Upon admission, a program of study is planned by the student in consultation with the student’s advisory committee. Courses are selected from the graduate offerings of all University of Maine Departments. The interests, background courses, and future needs of the student will be considered in course selection. The student will participate in a research project developed in consultation with the advisory committee.

We accept applications throughout the year. Prior to applying, please directly contact faculty whose interests are similar to yours to discuss possible research and coursework. Be sure to contact the program coordinator prior to submitting an application.

Students successfully completing either of this PhD/MS program will be able to demonstrate the following: Understand, interpret, shape, and augment the knowledge base by:

● Students will demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge of a relevant area of aquaculture or aquatic resources. Assessment: Initial literature review, thesis and thesis defense

● Students will be able to use critical thinking skills to create an appropriate literature review relevant to the specific project. Assessment: Initial literature review, thesis and thesis defense

● Students will identify knowledge gaps and will offer suggestions that contribute to/augment/shape the relevant area of aquaculture or aquatic resources. Assessment: Initial literature review, thesis and thesis defense

● Students will develop and implement a research plan that addresses research questions and/or hypotheses. Assessment: thesis plan

● Students will demonstrate competence in the synthesis and analysis of quantitative/qualitative data. Assessment: completion of appropriate statistical or experimental design course (such as PSE509 or FSN 524) and thesis

Share disciplinary expertise openly, effectively, and accurately by:

● Students will effectively communicate (oral/or written) their research plan and results to various audiences. Assessment: Completion of appropriate seminar courses such as AVS633 or SMS691, conference abstracts and/or journal manuscript acceptance (PhD requirement is at least one co-authored, accepted, original manuscript)

Demonstrate responsible and ethical practice by:

● Students will be able to articulate the fundamental elements that constitute Responsible Conduct in Research as it applies to aquaculture or aquatic resources. Assessment: Satisfactory completion of UMaine required courses (INT601 or similar)

Food and Agriculture