Fisheries Biology

Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Fisheries Biology options available in freshwater fisheries, marine fisheries, and aquarium sciences
Minor in Fisheries Biology

See Natural Resources for information on the Master of Science degree.

Department Chair
David Hankin, Ph.D.

Department of Fisheries Biology
Fisheries & Wildlife Building 220
(707) 826-3953
www.humboldt/~fish

The Program

Students completing this program will have demonstrated:

understanding of physical and ecological elements and processes sustaining commercial, recreational and non-game fish species, and recognize the implications of altering those components; application of conservation principles in developing conservation approaches for fishes; and incorporation of social (e.g. laws and regulations) and economic information in developing fish conservation plans
a suite of field, laboratory, and computer-based techniques for studying and managing fishes and appropriate use and application of these techniques
the ability to convey scientific concepts in written, oral, and visual communication formats, including following basic guidelines for format and structure of scientific reports, papers, or presentations
the ability to transform fisheries problems into mathematical/numeric/statistical representations (e.g. generate hypotheses); production of tabular and graphic summaries of quantitative data; performance of simple tests of statistical hypotheses
the ability to independently learn through extracurricular activities and independent study opportunities
development of scientifically defensible conclusions of their own work and evaluation of the work of others for scientifically valid conclusions.

The overall goal of the Fisheries Biology Program is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and motivation required to ensure the conservation of fish and aquatic resources that are faced with increasing societal demands and increasing loss of habitat. We stress development of a field-based understanding of the relationships between freshwater and marine fishes and the habitats upon which they depend, but our program is broad enough to provide specialized training in fish population dynamics and fishery management, restoration ecology, systematics, marine and freshwater aquaculture, fish health management, water pollution biology and wastewater utilization. Each of these areas has its own important role to play in the overall conservation of fish resources.

Fisheries Biology students have on-campus facilities for hands-on studies: a recirculating freshwater fish hatchery, rearing ponds, spawning pens, an artificial stream, and modern laboratories for study of fish genetics, pathology, taxonomy, ecology, and age and growth. Also on campus is the California Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, supported by both state and federal government, and a large fish museum collection.

Off campus, students takes classes and carry out research projects at the university's marine laboratory in Trinidad, about 12 miles north of campus. They also develop projects at the City of Arcata's internationally recognized wastewater aquaculture facilities. A 90' University-owned ocean-going vessel, docked in Eureka, is available for classes and for faculty and graduate student research in nearshore ocean waters. Numerous small boats and a specialized electrofishing boat are available for instruction and research in local bays, lagoons and estuaries.

Our graduates may qualify for certification by the American Fisheries Society as Associate Fisheries Scientists, and as Associate Fisheries Scientists, and many continue their education after HSU, receiving MS or PhD degrees in fisheries biology or other closely related fields.

Possible careers: aquarium curator, aquatic biologist, biological technician, environmental specialist, fish culturist, fish health manager, fisheries biologist, fisheries consultant, fisheries modeler, fisheries statistician, hydrologist, museum curator, reservoir manager, restoration ecologist, sewage treatment water analyst, water quality advisor.

Preparation

We recommend that high school students interested in Fisheries Biology take as many challenging biology, chemistry, mathematics and computer classes as possible, and that they also stress oral and written communications.

Requirements for the Major

Shared Requirements for Freshwater Fisheries and Marine Fisheries Options

LOWER DIVISION

BIOL 105 Principles of Biology
BIOM 109 Introductory Biometrics
CHEM 107 Fundamentals of Chemistry
CHEM 328 Brief Organic Chemistry
FISH 110 Introduction to Fisheries
MATH 105 Calculus for the Biological Sciences & Natural Resources
ZOOL 110 Introductory Zoology

PHYX 106 College Physics: Mechanics & Heat or
GEOL 109 General Geology

UPPER DIVISION

FISH 310 Ichthyology
FISH 311 Fish Physiology
FISH 380 Techniques in Fishery Biology
FISH 460 Principles of Fishery Management
FISH 495 Senior Fisheries Seminar
FISH 314 Fishery Science Communication

One genetics course from:
BIOL 340 Genetics
BIOL 345 Genetics with Population Emphasis
FISH 474 Genetic Applications in Fish Management

One quantitative course from:
BIOM 333 Intermediate Statistics
BIOM 406 Introduction to Sampling Theory
BIOM 408 Experimental Design & ANOVA
BIOM 508 Multivariate Biometry
FISH 450 Introductory Fish Population Dynamics
Or an approved upper division quantitative course

Additional Upper Division Requirements:

Freshwater Fisheries Option

FISH 320 Limnology
FISH 370 Aquaculture
FISH 430 Ecology of Freshwater Fishes
FISH 443 Problems in Water Pollution Biology
FISH 485 Ecology of Running Waters
ZOOL 316 Freshwater Aquatic Invertebrates

Approved Electives (9 units required; General Education classes may not be used as approved electives):
At least one from the following:
FISH 335 US & World Fisheries
FISH 375 Mariculture
FISH 440 Early Life History of Fishes
FISH 471 Fish Health Management
FISH 510 Advanced Ichthyology
FISH 571 Advanced Fish Diseases

Remaining Electives to be selected from the following list of suggested Courses1:
BIOL 430 Intertidal Ecology
BIOM 406/BIOM506 Sampling Theory
BIOM 408 Experimental Design & ANOVA
BIOM 508 Multivariate Biometry
BIOM 510 Model Selection & Inference
ECON 423 Environmental & Resource Economics
FISH 335 US & World Fisheries
FISH 375 Mariculture
FISH 450 Introductory Fish Population Dynamics
FISH 473 Wastewater Aquaculture
FISH 510 Advanced Ichthyology
FISH 471 Fish Health Management
FISH 440 Early Life History of Fishes
FISH 571 Advanced Fish Diseases
GEOL 350 General Geomorphology
GEOL 550 Fluvial Processes
MATH 205 Multivariate Calculus for the Biological Sciences
MATH 241 Elements of Linear Algebra
MATH 361 Intro to Math Modeling
MATH 313 Ordinary Differential Equations
NAS 364 Federal Indian Law I
NAS 366 Tribal Water Rights
NRPI 377 Introduction to GIS Concepts
NRPI 470 Intermediate GIS
OCN 310 Biological Oceanography
OCN 320 Physical Oceanography
OCN 330 Chemical Oceanography
OCN 340 Geological Oceanography
OCN 410 Zooplankton Ecology
WILD 460 Conservation Biology
WILD 475 Wildlife Ethology
WSHD 310 Hydrology &Watershed Management
WSHD 424 Watershed Hydrology
ZOOL 556 Marine Mammology

Additional Upper Division Requirements:

Marine Fisheries Option

FISH 335 US & World Fisheries
FISH 375 Mariculture
FISH 435 Ecology of Marine Fishes
FISH 440 Early Life History of Fishes
OCN 109 General Oceanography
ZOOL 314 Invertebrate Zoology

Approved Electives (9 units required, General Education classes may not be used as approved electives):
At least one from the following:
FISH 370 Aquaculture
FISH 443 Problems in Water Pollution Biology
FISH 471 Fish Health Management
FISH 510 Advanced Ichthyology
FISH 571 Advanced Fish Diseases

Remaining Electives to be selected from the following list of suggested Courses*:
BIOL 430 Intertidal Ecology
BIOM 406/BIOM 506 Sampling Theory
BIOM 408 Experimental Design & ANOVA
BIOM 508 Multivariate Biometry
BIOM 510 Model Selection & Inference
ECON 423 Environmental & Resource Economics
FISH 370 Aquaculture
FISH 443 Problems in Water Pollution Biology
FISH 471 Fish Health Management
FISH 473 Wastewater Aquaculture
FISH 510 Advanced Ichthyology
FISH 571 Advanced Fish Diseases,
FISH 450 Introductory Fish Population Dynamics
GEOL 350 General Geomorphology
GEOL 550 Fluvial Processes
MATH 205 Multivariate Calculus for the Biological Sciences
MATH 241 Elements of Linear Algebra
MATH 361 Intro to Math Modeling
MATH 313 Ordinary Differential Equations
NAS 364 Federal Indian Law I
NAS 366 Tribal Water Rights
NRPI 377 Introduction to GIS Concepts
NRPI 470 Intermediate GIS
OCN 310 Biological Oceanography
OCN 320 Physical Oceanography
OCN 330 Chemical Oceanography
OCN 340 Geological Oceanography
OCN 410 Zooplankton Ecology
WILD 460 Conservation Biology
WILD 475 Wildlife Ethology
WSHD 310 Hydrology & Watershed Management
WSHD 424 Watershed Hydrology
ZOOL 556 Marine Mammology

Requirements for the Minor

15 units:

FISH 310 Ichthyology
FISH 460 Principles of Fishery Management

Plus one of the following pathways:

FISH 320 / 320L Limnology/ Practicum
FISH 430/FISH 430L Ecology of Freshwater Fishes/Lab OR
OCN 109 General Oceanography
FISH 435 Ecology of Marine Fishes

* Alternative approved electives courses may be considered, but are subject to approval by a student’s advisor and the Fisheries Biology Department Chair.

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