Undergraduate
Food From the Sea
AFS 105G
Fisheries and aquaculture play a critical role in global food production. This course introduces students to key concepts in sustainable aquatic food systems. The curriculum adopts a systems dynamics approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of various components in seafood production. Through lectures, discussions, and applied exercises, students explore how principles from diverse disciplines such as chemistry, biology, and sociology converge in the realm of sustainable seafood production. Topics covered include fisheries management, aquaculture techniques, ecosystem impacts, and socio-economic considerations. By integrating multidisciplinary perspectives, the course develops students' critical thinking skills and prepares them to address complex challenges in marine resource utilization.
Fisheries Ecology
AFS 415
This course delves into the intricate balance between sustainable resource utilization and ecosystem health in fisheries management. Students gain fundamental knowledge and analytical skills essential for addressing challenges in fisheries science and management. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks and practical applications, students explore key concepts such as individual and population growth dynamics and biomass estimation techniques. The curriculum emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills necessary to determine optimal sustainable yields while considering ecosystem impacts. By engaging with real-world case studies and hands-on exercises, students learn to apply scientific principles to fisheries management decisions.
Graduate
Fisheries Stock Assessment
AFS 531
Understanding the current status of fish populations is a critical component of sustainable fisheries management. This course focuses on the quantitative methods used to estimate fish population dynamics, evaluate stock status, and provide scientific advice for fisheries management. Students will learn about various assessment models, data requirements, and statistical techniques essential for analyzing fish populations. The course combines lectures, hands-on exercises using statistical software, case studies, and discussions of current assessment challenges. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the skills to conduct basic stock assessments, interpret results, and understand the uncertainties inherent in fisheries science. The curriculum emphasizes practical applications and prepares students for real-world fisheries management scenarios.
Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management
AFS 560
Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) represents a paradigm shift in how we approach marine resource conservation and utilization. This course explores the complexities of implementing EBFM principles in real-world scenarios. Students will examine the multifaceted interactions within marine ecosystems, including biogeophysical processes, species interdependencies, socioeconomic factors, and cultural contexts. Through a blend of lectures, critical readings, dynamic discussions, and hands-on modeling exercises, participants will develop a holistic understanding of fisheries within their broader ecological and human contexts. By course end, students will be equipped to analyze fisheries issues through an ecosystem lens and propose innovative, sustainable management solutions that balance ecological integrity with human needs.