Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS) encompasses multi-disciplinary programs at the interface between the traditional fields of natural history, environmental biology, and natural resource management. Primary foci are the management of sustainable fisheries of commercially important species; biocomplexity and ecosystem-based management; and sustainable aquaculture. In addition, human-induced effects on natural ecosystems, including habitat change and restoration, impacts of climate change, emerging diseases, the effects of invasive species, and processes affecting endangered species and declining populations, are major areas of research. In pursuit of these objectives, a variety of basic sciences are used, including ecology and evolution, population biology, behavior, physiology, microbiology and genetics. The scope of aquatic systems ranges from watersheds, rivers and lakes, to estuarine and near-shore shelf, open ocean systems and culture facilities. Graduates of the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences are uniquely qualified for careers in universities as well as other educational settings, natural resources management agencies at the local to international levels, environmental consulting, and non-profit organizations with an environmental focus.

Undergraduate Program

The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS) offers the following programs of study:

• The Bachelor of Science in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
• A minor in aquatic and fishery sciences
• An interdisciplinary minor in marine biology
• An interdisciplinary minor in quantitative science

The School's undergraduate program has been substantially modified in recent years to reflect student and faculty interests in ecology and conservation biology, as well as more traditional fields such as stock assessment and fishery management. Faculty dedication to teaching, substantial benefit gained in close faculty contact within a relatively small program, and significant experiential training and research have made SAFS an appealing major that has doubled in recent years. The Bachelor of Science degree provides an underpinning in sciences such as biology, chemistry, and mathematics/statistics, then adds a core curriculum within aquatic sciences. Students study within areas of individual interest, grouped in three primary areas: aquatic ecology, conservation and management of aquatic resources, and biology and culture of aquatic animals.

Bachelor of Science

Department Admission Requirements

Graduation Requirements

180 credits, to include 44 credits in FISH-prefix courses; 44 credits of Natural World; 15 credits of mathematics; 10 credits each of Individuals & Societies and Visual, Literary, & Performing Arts; 12 credits of writing; and 45 credits of free electives.

The Natural World

Minimum of 44 credits, to include:

Biological Sciences: BIOL 180, BIOL 200, BIOL 220 (5, 5, 5); or BIOL 201, BIOL 202, BIOL 203 (5,5,5); or BIOL 101-BIOL 102 or BIOL 161-BIOL 162 and GENOME 371 or FISH 340/BIOL 340 (5-5, 5). One of BIOL 356 (3), FISH 447 (3), or BIOL 473 and BIOL 474 (3,2).

Physical Sciences: PHYS 114, PHYS 115 (4,4), OCEAN 210 (3). Option A: CHEM 142, CHEM 152, CHEM 162 (5,5,6), and CHEM 220 (5) or CHEM 223 and CHEM 224 (4, 4); Option B: CHEM 120, CHEM 220, CHEM 221 (5, 5, 5).

Minimum of 15 credits beyond MATH 120, to include Q SCI 291, Q SCI 292 (5, 5) or MATH 124, MATH 125 (5, 5) or MATH 144, MATH 145 (5,5). Q SCI 381 (5).

General Education

Individuals & Societies (I&S): Minimum of 10 credits to include one course (3 credits minimum) in economics and one course (3 credits minimum) in law, policy, or ethics. See program Web site for list of acceptable courses.

Visual, Literary, & Performing Arts (VLPA): Minimum of 10 credits.

Writing Proficiency: Minimum of 12 credits, to include 5 credits of English composition drawn from the University list, and at least 7 additional credits of writing-intensive (W) courses.

Minimum of 44 credits to include FISH 210, FISH 310, and FISH 311 (5,5,5); one from FISH 312 (5), FISH 323 (5), or FISH 324 (5); 18 additional credits of upper-division FISH courses, including 12 credits in the student's chosen focus area; FISH 494 and FISH 495 (3-9,3).

Minor

Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

Marine Biology

Quantitative Science

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

• Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: Aquatic and Fishery Sciences is a life science degree designed to provide students a broad framework of knowledge and sets of skills for employment in a variety of areas (e.g., natural resource management, environmental consulting, fish or aquatic wildlife biology, aquaculture). In addition, students receive excellent preparation for graduate study in a number of life science fields. Expected student outcomes include:
  1. Skills in written and oral communication, data analysis, field and lab skills. Skill sets have been integrated into all core and flagship courses.
  2. Exposure to career paths in the field and interaction with professionals. Skills gained allow students to obtain an entry-level aquatic scientist position or admission to graduate school.
  3. Emphasis in one of three focus areas (aquatic ecology, conservation and management, aquatic biology and culture); students get a broad overview, then may specialize in one of the three areas.
  4. Strong encouragement to pursue multiple internship and research experiences, including opportunities like FHL research apprenticeships and Alaska Ecological Research Program.
  5. Understanding not only of the science, but also the socio-political-economic environment and its impact on the field of aquatic and fishery sciences.
  6. All students participate in a capstone experience that requires them to demonstrate acquired skill sets (including public presentation in an undergraduate research symposium).

  SAFS graduates pursue careers in the private sector (environmental consulting firms, private companies), the public sector (state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, non-governmental agencies, education), and many continue into graduate programs in either research or policy. The undergraduate degree prepares students for either direct employment in a number of fields within public and private sectors, or for competitive entry into applicable graduate programs worldwide.

• Instructional and Research Facilities: The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences is housed in several buildings on the University of Washington campus. In addition, the School maintains various facilities off campus, including field research stations in Washington State and Alaska.

• Honors Options Available: With College Honors (Four-Year Honors); With Distinction (Two-Year Honors). See cofs.washington.edu/students/honors.html for requirements.

• Research, Internships, and Service Learning: SAFS scientists work closely with employers in both the public and private sectors, leading to opportunities for undergraduates to receive both internship and research experience. Scientists from area agencies (NOAA, National Marine Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Sciences Center, National Marine Mammal Lab, the U.S. Forest Service, the Student Conservation Association, and the Seattle Aquarium) come to the school to attend weekly SAFS departmental seminars; undergraduates are encouraged to attend. The College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences is second only to the UW Medical School in federal research dollars brought to the UW campus, providing many paid hourly student positions within the department.

• Department Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit, financial need and other factors. The annual application process for continuing students begins in spring; check with the Office of Student Services for applications and deadlines. All undergraduates, both freshmen and transfers, are considered for recruitment scholarships if they have declared AFS as their major on their application to the University of Washington.

• Student Organizations/Associations: SURF (Society for Undergraduate Resources in Fisheries) organizes social, career, and educational activities for undergraduates in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. SURF also prints t-shirts, welcomes new students to the program, represents the program at events, and collaborates with student groups in other related departments on events.

• The College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences has its own career coordinator who organizes quarterly workshops, an annual career fair, an email list of openings related to the aquatic sciences, and who meets individually with both current students and alumni.
• Since 1999, the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences has sent six students and three faculty members to two Alaska Salmon Field Stations for a six-week course in aquatic ecology. These students receive education in ecology, limnology, population modeling, field techniques, scientific writing, and presentation skills.

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Coordinator
116 Fishery Sciences, Box 355020
206-616-5893
safs@u.washington.edu

The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, established in 1919, offers courses and conducts research on the conservation, management, and effective use of natural resources. Education and research in the School include studies of aquatic ecology; ichthyology; population dynamics; management of free-ranging stocks; restoration ecology; and effects of human activities on freshwater and marine ecosystems. SAFS is recognized internationally as one of the best graduate programs, especially in the area of quantitative fisheries management, but all of the research programs are well respected.

Students may apply for admission into programs leading to the Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy. Students who apply for the Ph.D. program must hold a master's degree prior to beginning their doctoral studies. All students who receive a master's degree from the School and wish to pursue a Ph.D. will be reviewed by the Recruitment, Admissions, and Scholarship Committee before being accepted into the Ph.D. program.

Master of Science

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an institution of recognized standing with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the last two years (90 quarter credits or 60 semester credits) of college work.
• Typically at least a 500 on both the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE and a 5 on the analytic portion (a 500 if taken before October 2002).
• If an International Student, a minimum TOEFL score of 580 on written exam or 237 on computerized exam, or 70 on the Internet-based exam.

Degree Requirements

• School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences Core Courses:
  • Q SCI 482 (5)
  • At least two of the following, for 2 credits each: FISH 510, FISH 511, FISH 512, FISH 513, FISH 514, FISH 578, or QERM 597
  • FISH 521 (4)
  • FISH 522 (2)
  • 18 credits of thesis research: FISH 700
• Additional Course Requirements: At least 12 credits of coursework at the 400 or 500 level are required in addition to the SAFS Core Courses listed above. 4 of the 12 credits must be in 500-level courses. At least 9 of the additional 12 credits must be numerically graded.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

• Minimum GPA of 3.00 for last two years (90 quarter credits or 60 semester credits) of graded college work
• GRE scores of 500 on the verbal and quantitative sections and 5 on the analytical section (500 if before October 2002)
• If an International Student, a minimum TOEFL score of 580 on written exam or 237 on computerized exam, or 70 on the internet-based exam.

Admission to the Ph.D. Program After Receiving a M.S. Degree from the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

Students who wish to continue study toward the doctoral degree after receiving a master's from the School must apply to the Graduate Program Coordinator by way of the Student Services Office; the application will be considered by the Recruitment, Admission and Scholarship Committee and a recommendation will then be sent to the director for concurrence or denial. Applications must be submitted by the sixth week of the quarter in which the master's degree is conferred. For more information, please refer to the SAFS Website.

Bypassing the Master's Degree

Students admitted to the School at the pre-master's level may, under exceptional circumstances, proceed directly to post-master's study. Application should be made to the Graduate Program Coordinator via the Student Services Office for consideration by the Recruitment, Admissions and Scholarship Committee. More information is available on the SAFS Website.

Students who bypass the master’s degree must complete all Ph.D. requirements within ten years of beginning graduate study, including M.S. coursework if used to fulfill any Ph.D. requirements.

Degree Requirements

• SAFS Core Courses: The following core courses are required of all Ph.D. students. They are the same as those required of M.S. students and must be taken as part of the doctoral program if they or their equivalents have not been taken during an M.S. program.
  • Q SCI 482 (5)
  • At least two of the following, for 2 credits each: FISH 510, FISH 511, FISH 512, FISH 513, FISH 514, FISH 578, or QERM 597
  • FISH 521 (4)
  • FISH 522 (2)
  • 27 credits of doctoral dissertation: FISH 800 (a maximum of 10 dissertation credits may be taken in any one academic quarter)
• Additional Course Requirements: At least 48 credits of coursework at the 400 level or above, including dissertation credits, are required in addition to the required core courses listed above. Of those, at least 9 credits must be numerically graded.

Financial Aid

General information on graduate student support is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid, 105 Schmitz. The majority of first-year graduate students are offered research assistantships by appropriate faculty members, depending on the availability of research funding. The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences also has a limited number of fellowship opportunities for outstanding entering students. Other students may have their studies supported by the agency for which they work or they may be international students with scholarships from their home countries.

Graduate applicants are urged to discuss their financial needs with professors in their potential major fields during the early stages of the graduate application process. The graduate applicant will automatically be considered for any fellowships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships available from the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences when the admissions application is submitted.