Introduction

The Division of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, and the Division of Mathematics and Sciences at Kentucky State University offer a Master of Science Degree in Aquaculture/Aquatic Sciences. Aquaculture is the rearing of aquatic organisms under controlled or semi-controlled conditions.

Interest in Aquaculture has increased worldwide as fish consumption has increased concurrently with decreasing catches of wild fish. In Kentucky and the southern United States, aquaculture production focuses on raising freshwater species commercially. The curriculum meets criteria established by the University Programs Standards Committee of the American Fisheries Society for Fish Culture Specializations.

This program is designed to provide students with the training and experience required for immediate employment. However, the program is also designed to provide the academic foundation for further graduate studies. Each student will have a graduate committee. This committee will be responsible for designing the student's course of study and student's competencies based on comprehensive evaluation, and thesis or non-thesis presentation and defense.

Upon completion of the program, a student should have knowledge of production and reproduction of primary aquaculture species, basic physiology and nutrition of aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate culture species, mechanics and operation of primary production methods, causes and controls of pathogenic organisms, the function and manipulation of biological and chemical cycles in ponds, basics of marketing and business aspects of aquaculture, and the design and analysis of experiments.