School of Agriculture, Fisheries, & Human Sciences

Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries

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Supporting $740 million in economic development.

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Fall 2024 Spring / Summer 2025 Fall 2025

Welcome

The Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offers the only bachelor of science degree in aquaculture and fisheries sciences in Arkansas. The major has four degree concentrations: general (AQFI), aquaculture (AQUA), fisheries science (AQFS), and aquaculture and seafood business (AQSB). The curriculum of each concentration conforms to guidelines established by the American Fisheries Society for fisheries undergraduate programs and will conform to those of the U.S. Aquaculture Society for aquaculture programs when finalized and adopted.

If you’re considering a career in aquaculture, you should become a part of The Pride. Apply today!

  • About Our Center

    The AQFI Center of Excellence at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is recognized as an international leader in aquaculture/fisheries teaching, research, and extension programs. 

    The Center currently has a total of 33 faculty, extension specialists, and staff, including nine Ph.D. scientists and six M.S. scientists. The aquaculture industry in Arkansas and natural resource agencies support UAPB with in-kind contributions and through participation in workshops and conferences.

  • Our Department

    The Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries is the administrative unit for the academic teaching programs. The Department offers both undergraduate (B.S. in aquaculture and fisheries sciences) and graduate degrees (M.S. and Ph.D. in aquaculture and fisheries).

    Teaching

    We teach classes for undergraduate students majoring in aquaculture and fisheries sciences (B.S.), which includes four academic concentrations: general, aquaculture, fisheries science, and aquaculture and seafood business. We teach graduate students pursuing M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in aquaculture/fisheries. Our emphasis is on hands-on, innovative teaching methods designed to prepare students for exciting careers in aquaculture and natural resources-related fields. Through partial support from Title III, faculty and students have also participated in professional enrichment activities designed to enhance their preparedness for graduate school.

    Professors in the department recognize that students have differing learning styles and are committed to using a variety of teaching styles and techniques to ensure student learning.

    Small class sizes (the majority of AQFI classes have less than 10 students) coupled with a 3:1 student-faculty ratio creates an ideal learning environment in the department.

    Laboratories are offered in the state-of-the-art Holiday Hall Applied Science Building and a computerized teaching classroom in Woodard Hall.

    The department also contains an aquaculture and fisheries research and Extension library.

    Research

    We have a wide-ranging research program in aquaculture and natural fisheries conducted by faculty engaged with aquaculture and natural resource stakeholders to solve real-world problems. Our aquaculture research involves studies in small experimental and large commercial earthen ponds, as well as laboratory aquaria, larger tanks and mesocosms. Natural fisheries research spans the entire spectrum of the state’s waters from small streams and lakes to large reservoirs and rivers.

    Extension

    We provide comprehensive Extension programs and services to Arkansas and other states to transfer newly developed techniques and research information into real-world practice. These include diagnostics services to identify fish diseases and water quality problems and, more importantly, to recommend treatments. We organize educational meetings, farm demonstrations and field days. We also publish fact sheets on important issues and respond as quickly as we can to calls for assistance from county agents, fish farmers, farm pond owners and natural resource managers. The UAPB Fish Health Certification Laboratory, located in Lonoke, Arkansas, is approved by USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to conduct diagnostic testing in support of export health certification of aquaculture species.

Dr. Lin Xie
Acting Chair, Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries
(870) 575-8175
xiel@uapb.edu

AQFI Features

“I am lucky that the professors in the aquaculture and fisheries program are always eager to teach students, even if they aren’t personally advising them,” Hannah Knuckles said. “I am grateful to them for having faith in me and helping me see my potential. My education at UAPB has contributed greatly to helping me develop independence and critical thinking skills.”

– Hannah Knuckles, graduate student of aquaculture/fisheries

“At AQFI, we nurture students into leaders,” Dr. Yathish Ramena, director for the Aquaculture/Fisheries Center of Excellence said. “Join our Center of Excellence to make career advancement and innovative dreams come true while amplifying impact in the industry.”

– Dr. Yathish Ramena, director, Aquaculture/Fisheries Center of Excellence

OUR IMPACT

Research

Join the only research-driven, comprehensive aquaculture program within the University of Arkansas System to support the state's recreational fishing industry which impacts Arkansas’ economy by more than $740 million a year.

Grants

Expand your studies while benefiting from more than $1 million in research grants our faculty and student researchers have secured. Engage in research that fuels jobs across Arkansas.

Scholarships

Benefit from the various scholarships we have available for students choosing to study aquaculture. Our national, state and local scholarship partners can help you fund your future.

Careers

U.S. aquaculture production is growing as demands for healthy seafood products increase, and a growing world population projected to reach over 9 billion in 2050.

Degree Options

Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offers the only bachelor of science degree in aquaculture and fisheries sciences in Arkansas. The major has four degree concentrations: general (AQFI), aquaculture (AQUA), fisheries science (AQFS), and aquaculture and Seafood Business (AQSB). The curriculum of each concentration conforms to guidelines established by the American Fisheries Society for fisheries undergraduate programs and will conform to those of the U.S. Aquaculture Society for aquaculture programs, when finalized and adopted.

Depending on the concentration taken, the aquaculture and fisheries sciences B.S. degree requires 31-35 hours of coursework in applied aquaculture and fisheries (see curriculum and course descriptions), with each course providing hands-on field and laboratory experiences. Additionally, the degree requires 23-26 hours of supporting coursework in mathematics, statistics, biology, chemistry, physics and/or business. Professors in the department recognize that students have differing learning styles and are committed to using a variety of teaching styles and techniques to ensure student learning. Small class sizes (the majority of AQFI classes have less than 10 students) coupled with a 3:1 student-faculty ratio creates an ideal learning environment in the department. Laboratories are offered in the state-of-the-art Holiday Hall Applied Science Building and a computerized teaching classroom in Woodard Hall. The department also contains an aquaculture and fisheries research and Extension library. In addition, aquaculture and fisheries science majors are able to secure student employment opportunities under UAPB faculty, research staff and/or graduate students on various research projects. The department also has a variety of scholarships available exclusively for aquaculture and fisheries sciences majors at UAPB.

Individualized instruction, an emphasis on practical hands-on experiences, scholarship availability and internship/cooperative education opportunities make UAPB an ideal choice for students interested in careers in aquaculture and fisheries or pursuing graduate study.

  • Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences, Aquaculture & Seafood Business Track, B.S.

    The Bachelor of Science degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences requires 120 semester hours. This includes 57 hours of general education, institutional requirements, and general electives in addition to 32 hours of coursework in aquaculture and fisheries, and 31 hours of supporting coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics.  The department currently has an approximately 3:1 student: faculty ratio that allows for smaller class sizes and is conducive to individual-based instruction. This curriculum meets guidelines established by the American Fisheries Society and the U.S. Aquaculture Society for undergraduate degree programs in aquaculture and fisheries. For more information, view the Bachelor of Science degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences curriculum.

  • Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences, Aquaculture Track, B.S.

    The Bachelor of Science degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences requires 120 semester hours.This includes 57 hours of general education, institutional requirements, and general electives in addition to 32 hours of coursework in aquaculture and fisheries, and 31 hours of supporting coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics.  The department currently has an approximately 3:1 student: faculty ratio that allows for smaller class sizes and is conducive to individual-based instruction. This curriculum meets guidelines established by the American Fisheries Society and the U.S. Aquaculture Society for undergraduate degree programs in aquaculture and fisheries. For more information, view the Bachelor of Science degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences curriculum.

  • Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences, Fisheries Science Track, B.S.

    The Bachelor of Science degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences requires 120 semester hours.This includes 57 hours of general education, institutional requirements, and general electives in addition to 32 hours of coursework in aquaculture and fisheries, and 31 hours of supporting coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics.  The department currently has an approximately 3:1 student: faculty ratio that allows for smaller class sizes and is conducive to individual-based instruction. This curriculum meets guidelines established by the American Fisheries Society and the U.S. Aquaculture Society for undergraduate degree programs in aquaculture and fisheries. For more information, view the Bachelor of Science degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences curriculum.

  • Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences, General Track, B.S.

    The Bachelor of Science degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences requires 120 semester hours. This includes 57 hours of general education, institutional requirements, and general electives in addition to 32 hours of coursework in aquaculture and fisheries, and 31 hours of supporting coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics. The department currently has an approximately 3:1 student: faculty ratio that allows for smaller class sizes and is conducive to individual-based instruction. This curriculum meets guidelines established by the American Fisheries Society and the U.S. Aquaculture Society for undergraduate degree programs in aquaculture and fisheries. For more information, view the Bachelor of Science degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences curriculum.

  • The Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries at UAPB offers the only M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in aquaculture and fisheries in Arkansas. These research-based programs prepare graduates for careers in aquaculture resource management, natural fisheries and allied industries. The comprehensive program provides students with a broad base of skills, expertise and practical experience to be competitive for a wide range of opportunities.

  • Aquaculture and Fisheries, M.S.

    The M.S. program of study includes courses to be taken by semester over the generally 2.5-year period of enrollment. Coursework must include a minimum of 34 credit hours. At least 26 credit hours must be core courses, including Research Methods and Scientific Writing, and one graduate level course in statistics. In addition to the 26 credit hours of core courses, two credit hours of Graduate Seminar are required. The student’s committee may require further course work. One (1) credit hour of Graduate Seminar must be taken in the first full semester of study. Failure to complete the requirement of establishment of an advisory committee and creation of a program of study by the end of the first full semester will result in receiving an “F” in Graduate Seminar. For more information, view the Aquaculture and Fisheries, M.S. curriculum.

  • Aquaculture and Fisheries, Ph.D.

    The Ph.D. program of study should include a minimum of 42 credit hours beyond the M.S. degree. The student’s committee may require further course work. Each student must complete a minimum of 24 hours of core coursework in the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries. Within this minimum requirement, one hour of an ethics course will be required and up to eight additional hours of appropriate external coursework may be substituted, with the approval of the advisory committee, graduate coordinator, and department chair. For more information, view the Aquaculture and Fisheries, Ph.D. curriculum.

University of Arkansas Pine Bluff