What to Expect

Aquaculture students learn how to farm fish.

Chris Hendry took a master's degree in biology. He also has a bachelor's degree in marine biology and an advanced diploma in aquaculture.

As an undergraduate student, Hendry took five to six courses per semester for five years. In his advanced diploma program, he took seven courses per semester. He also did a summer work term in Scotland.

Hendry found the entire university experience challenging. "Unfortunately, in high school I breezed through without learning how to really study, so it hit hard when I started university," he said. "Students should try and learn to study well to get them ready for such a change in education."

Vanessa Maxwell took a double major in aquaculture and marine biology at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida. She had anywhere from three to six hours of classes each day.

For homework, she read and re-read assignments, spending anywhere from two to five hours a night studying -- more if she had a test.

"It takes hard work and effort," she says. But it's worth it.

"What is best about the program here is the opportunity to go out in the field. In labs and classes, we have opportunities to go out on the research vessel R/V Delphinus, which at most schools is strictly for graduates and research."

How to Prepare

Hendry says high school students should take biology, chemistry and math to prepare for the study of aquaculture.

Maxwell advises students to pursue extracurricular activities they are interested in, in both high school and college. These kinds of activites look good to employers.