The Ph.D. Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences is designed to train graduate students in fundamental science and its application to the study of fishery and aquatic resource problems. Students entering a Ph.D. program typically desire careers as researchers or teachers with academic institutions, government agencies or the private sector.

     The Ph.D. program is normally a three to four year program beyond the Master's degree or a five to six year program beyond the Bachelor's degree. Ph.D. students with Master's degrees usually take courses for one to two years before working full-time on their dissertation project. 

     In the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, the Master's degree is usually considered a prerequisite for admission into the Ph.D. program although this latter requirement can be waived following petition to the Graduate Programs Committee of the Department.