Fisheries and Aquaculture (FAQM)
MS Renewable Natural Resources
The School of Renewable Natural Resources offers exciting opportunities for students interested in basic and applied research in aquatic systems. The fisheries and aquaculture faculty is committed to working with outstanding graduate students to solve the complex problems that are currently affecting the production and management of aquatic invertebrates and fishes. Pollution, degradation, and loss of freshwater and marine habitats continue to reduce the quantity and quality of our aquatic resources, the diversity and abundance of organisms dependent on these habitats, and the production and harvest of commercially and recreationally important species.
The ecological and economic importance of the world's aquatic resources provides the basis for a diverse research program in fisheries and aquaculture at LSU - take a look at the Fisheries and Aquaculture Faculty members to see the research interests and the different types of research projects currently in progress. We hope you will take the time to contact faculty members concerning potential research opportunities, and will seriously consider joining one of the research projects in the School. Below are the requirements for students seeking a Master of Science in Renewable Natural Resources with an area of concentration in Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The Fisheries and Aquaculture AOC will require a minimum of 9 hours of coursework in addition to the general 9-hour requirement for all M.S. students in the School. The following courses, or demonstration to the student’s Graduate Committee of proficiency in one or more of these courses from previous coursework and experience, are required, and may be included in the 9 hours required for this AOC:
| Course | Credit Hours |
Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| RNR 4022 | 4 | Principles of Aquaculture |
| RNR 4025 | 3 | Limnology |
| RNR 4037 | 3 | Biology of Fishes |
| RNR 4040 | 3 | Fisheries Management |
| RNR 4145 | 4 | Ichthyology |
Depending on prior coursework and experience, additional courses will be required to satisfy the 24-hour course requirement for the M.S. degree. The 24-hour total may include no more than 6 hours of RNR 7029 (Advanced Topics in Renewable Natural Resources). Additional courses required for each student’s program of study will be determined by the graduate committee. These courses will typically be selected from the list below, but may include other courses with committee approval.
| Course | Credit Hours | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| RNR 7010 | Nutrition of Aquatic Animals | |
| RNR 7020 | 3 | Ecology of Fishes |
| RNR 7025 | Advanced Aquaculture | |
| RNR 7026 | Shellfisheries aquaculture | |
| RNR 7027 | Genetics and Culture of Finfishes | |
| RNR 7029 | 1-4 | Advanced Topics in Renewable Natural Resources |
| RNR 7036 | 3 | Natural Resource Biometrics and Management |
| RNR 7424 | 3 | Diseases of Aquatic Animals |
| BIOL 4052 | Phycology | |
| BIOL 4105 | 3 | Parasitology |
| BIOL 7080 | 3 | Population Ecology |
| BIOL 7083 | 3 | Community Ecology |
| BIOL 7120 | 3 | Marine Ecology |
| EXST 7024 | Biological Population Statistics I | |
| EXST 7025 | 3 | Biological Population Statistics II |
| EXST 7035 | Applied Least Squares | |
| EXST 7036 | 3 | Categorical Data Analysis |
| EXST 7037 | 3 | Multivariate Statistics |
Programs for the Master's degree must be completed within five years of entrance into the program.