- Program Length2 Years
- CredentialDiploma
Are you ready for a career that satisfies your love for the environment and gets you outside in the field, conserving and enhancing aquaculture in lakes, rivers and the ocean? Vancouver Island University’s close proximity and relationship with Fisheries and Oceans Canada have developed the Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology program into one of the best of its kind.
Students receive expert instruction from leading aquaculture specialists fishery officers and marine biologists and take part in a hands-on practicum experience, spending more than a quarter of their training out in the field. There are numerous special awards specifically for Fisheries and Aquaculture students, ranging in value from $300 to $2,500.
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology Diploma Program
The program is designed to develop well-rounded technologists with a broad background in the practical and academic skills of fish and invertebrate culture, fisheries habitat and fish stock assessment, fisheries regulations, production management, and environmental control and planning.
Both the “why” and “how” are presented through formal lectures and practical experience. The selection of program material is designed to give a broad theoretical background to provide flexibility, as well as foster a professional attitude toward a future career. Students will spend approximately 25 per cent of their time on “hands-on” fisheries and aquaculture projects on- and-off campus.
The first year provides a foundation in such basic conceptual areas as statistics, biology, English, habitats of fish and fish rearing methods. There is a weekly practicum, in which students are sent into the field for a day to work in various aquacultural, fisheries, or environmental consulting capacities (salmonid hatcheries, spawning channels, wild fish projects, oyster farms, invertebrate hatcheries and others), and students also work one half day each week on aquaculture or fisheries field projects on campus or in the field. Many courses also involve significant field experience. Over the two years this practical work experience exposes students to a wide variety of activities, and introduces them to the facilities, organizations and personnel important in their future careers.
As a requirement for the program, students will work in a program relevant summer job in the summer between their first and second year. Assistance in finding jobs is provided by VIU Faculty and staff, and students will receive credit for the summer practicum courses on completion of required written reports and/or oral presentation.
In the second year, students are exposed to more advanced and specialized topics in fisheries and aquaculture. These include engineering courses, shellfish culture, and both health and physiology of aquatic organisms. In addition, there is a field based course on freshwater field techniques in which students work in field conditions at local lake sites. Both the second-year weekly practicum and project courses may be designed by the student to emphasize areas of special interest.
In addition to the many scholarships available to all VIU Students, there are numerous special awards for Fisheries and Aquaculture students. For more information contact the Financial Aid & Awards office.
There is also a one-year, post-degree diploma program for university graduates with degrees in biology, zoology, or related sciences. In this case, students complete the requirements for the diploma in one year, plus one summer practicum (see below for admission requirements).
Advance Credit
Students may be granted advance credit for courses taken at VIU or elsewhere. Credit is granted in consultation with the Admissions office, course instructor and program Chair and, in some cases, may involve a written or verbal course challenge.
|
Year 1 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
FISH 115 - (Life History and Management of Salmonids) |
3 |
|
FISH 127 - (Introduction to Salmonid Husbandry) |
3 |
|
FISH 124 - (Biology of Fishes) |
4 |
|
FISH 132 - (Aquatic Habitats) |
3 |
|
FISH 133 - (Aquatic Plant and Algae Ecology and Culture) |
3 |
|
FISH 161 - (Fisheries and Aquaculture Technician Skills I) |
1 |
|
FISH 162 - (Fisheries and Aquaculture Technician Skills II) |
1 |
|
FISH 171 - (Fisheries and Aquaculture Work Experience I) |
1 |
|
FISH 172 - (Fisheries and Aquaculture Work Experience II) |
1 |
|
FISH 191 - (Applied Techniques in Aquatic Systems & Fisheries I) |
3 |
|
FISH 192 - (Applied Techniques in Aquatic Systems & Fisheries II) |
3 |
|
Select one of the following: |
4 |
|
ENGL 115 - (University Writing and Research) |
3 |
|
MATH 181 - (Intro to Statistics) |
3 |
|
Total Credits |
36 |
|
Year 2 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
FISH 205 - (Invertebrate Zoology) |
3 |
|
FISH 222 - (Larval Rearing & Invertebrate Culture) |
3 |
|
FISH 223 - (Introduction to Fisheries Management) |
3 |
|
FISH 231 - (Non-salmonid Aquaculture) |
3 |
|
FISH 241 - (Fish Health) |
3 |
|
FISH 253 - (Fisheries Engineering I—Hydrology) |
3 |
|
FISH 254 - (Fisheries Engineering II—Hydraulics II) |
3 |
|
FISH 255 - (Fish Habitat Assessment and Rehabilitation) |
3 |
|
FISH 271 - (Fisheries and Aquaculture Work Experience III) |
2 |
|
FISH 272 - (Fisheries and Aquaculture Work Experience IV) |
2 |
|
FISH 273 - (Summer Work Experience) |
0 |
|
FISH 281 - (Freshwater Fisheries Field Techniques) |
3 |
|
FISH 291 - (Applied Techniques in Aquatic Systems & Fisheries III) |
3 |
|
FISH 292 - (Applied Techniques in Aquatic Systems & Fisheries IV) |
3 |
|
Total Credits |
37 |
Completion Requirements
Grades for individual courses are awarded as described in the Grading Scale section of this Calendar. The program has minimum standards as follows:
- Registration in the second, third and fourth semester requires the satisfactory completion, with grades of “C-” or better, of all the courses in the previous semester. In the event that a student achieves less than “C-” in any FISH course, registration in any other FISH course may be denied or, at the discretion of the instructor, a satisfactory opportunity to improve the grade to “C-” may be made available, in order to allow the student to progress. Application of this clause is subject to review by program Chair and affected course instructors.
- Practicum courses (FISH 171, 172, 271, 272) will be automatically assigned an “F” if students miss more than one session at their field station, without prior notification to the station. An “F” in any of these courses will result in suspension from the program. Students must satisfactorily complete all courses in the program. Students may not graduate with more than two “D”s.
- Students who have more than two grades less than "C-" must withdraw from the program. They may reapply in the next year and make up the “D”s or “F”s to a “C-” grade or better.
- For more information regarding the above, students admitted to the program are advised to read the “Student Guide” issued in the first week of classes.
- General admission requirements apply.
- A minimum “C” grade in one of Precalculus 11, or Foundations of Mathematics 11, or equivalent.
- Life Sciences 11 with a minimum “C” grade, or equivalent.
Recommended for Admission
- Physics and other science courses are highly recommended.
- Additional English courses that lead to improved writing skills are invaluable.
Notes on Admission
- The program is limited to a maximum of 26 full-time students per year. Students wishing to take the program on a part-time basis, or wishing to attend single courses may contact the department to determine whether that is possible, although if space is limited, which is often the case, preference will be given to full-time students.
- Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Seats in the program are offered as follows: first qualifying applications are given first offers, until all seats are filled.
- Aboriginal students can apply for reserve seats by submitting the Access Initiative for Indigenous Students form.
- Students may take the program on a part-time basis, but admission to courses will be subject to prerequisites, where applicable, and space in the classroom after full-time students have been served.
- Applicants are strongly urged to talk to Fisheries and Aquaculture staff about the program and application procedures.
- Students will complete Occupational Level I First Aid, in accordance with WorkSafeBC requirements, and Transportation Endorsement courses during the first year of the program.
Careers in fisheries and aquaculture typically involve both outdoor work related to the rearing or assessment of aquatic stocks, and indoor activities related directly to field or support activities, including personnel and business management. Aquaculture is usually practiced in relatively remote areas.
It should be noted that the skills required for both the aquaculturist and the field fisheries technician broadly overlap, and that aquaculture plays an increasingly important role in wild stock management through the employment of hatcheries and fish stock enhancement. Students in this program are prepared for both career areas and after graduation frequently work in both.
Other placements include laboratory, sales, research and international opportunities. Many career opportunities are available to graduates willing to work in outdoor conditions, often in remote areas. Such work often includes field work with wild stocks including habitat assessment in both fresh and salt water, estimates of wild stock population, habitat restoration, research assistance, and monitoring of harvests.
Domestic Fees | International Fees
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
Fees for Year 1 |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Tuition (36 credits x $166.40 per credit) |
5,990.40 |
|
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition) |
239.62 |
|
Student Services fee (36 credits x $7.35 per credit) |
264.60 |
|
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) |
220.80 |
|
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) |
265.00 |
|
Year 1: Books and supplies (approximate costs) |
2,000.00 |
|
Level 1 First Aid and Transportation Endorsement (approximate costs) |
180.00 |
|
Foul weather gear, chest waders, miscellaneous field equipment (approximate costs) |
800.00 |
|
Total |
9,960.42 |
Fees for Year 2 |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Tuition (37 credits x $166.40 per credit) |
6,156.80 |
|
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition) |
246.27 |
|
Student Services fee (37 credits x $7.35 per credit) |
271.95 |
|
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) |
220.80 |
|
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) |
265.00 |
|
Year 2: Books and supplies (approximate costs) |
1,700.00 |
|
Total |
8,860.82 |
Students are responsible for travel expenses to field stations. Budget for an average of approximately 120 km per week of off-campus travel.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
Science and Technology courses with a compulsory lab have a lab fee of $23.43 per course.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
Fees for Year 1 |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Tuition (2 semesters x $11996.55 per semester + 6 credits x $799.77) |
28,791.72 |
|
Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester + 6 credits x $33.10) |
1,125.40 |
|
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) |
220.80 |
|
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) |
265.00 |
|
Year 1: Books and supplies (approximate costs) |
2,000.00 |
|
Level 1 First Aid and Transportation Endorsement (approximate costs) |
180.00 |
|
Foul weather gear, chest waders, miscellaneous field equipment (approximate costs) |
800.00 |
|
Total |
33,382.92 |
Fees for Year 2 |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Tuition (2 semesters x $11996.55 per semester + 7 credits x $799.77) |
29,591.49 |
|
Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester + 7 credits x $33.10) |
1,158.50 |
|
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) |
220.80 |
|
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) |
265.00 |
|
Year 2: Books and supplies (approximate costs) |
1,700.00 |
|
Total |
32,935.79 |
Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.
Students are responsible for travel expenses to field stations. Budget for an average of approximately 120 km per week of off-campus travel.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
Science and Technology courses with a compulsory lab have a lab fee of $23.43 per course.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
UpdatedDomestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2025 |
Oct 1, 2024 to Apr 30, 2025
|
||
|
Next Intake(s)
Application Fee
$45.16
Accepting Late Applications
No
Admissions Assistant
Name: Nic Ismirnioglou Chair Contact
Name: Dan Baker Comments
|
|||
Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.
Erin Fulcher
“I chose VIU due to the smaller class sizes and the reputation that the school and the fisheries program have. I know now that I made the right decision as I feel like the professors at VIU truly care about my success and it is obvious that they are invested in their students. The amount of applicable experience that I have gained in the program is pretty amazing and it is giving me a wide range of skills from caring for fish to rearing larval organisms such as sea urchins. There is a lot of hands on learning and although sometimes it feels like a lot to handle and can be tedious, all these skills can be applied to a future career.”
Erin is a Fisheries and Aquaculture graduate
Offers of admission made on the basis of first qualified, first offered.
There is a possibility qualified applicants may be waitlisted.