Aquaculture provides over 50% of the seafood for human consumption, is the fastest growing sector of food production, and has reshaped the seafood industry and fisheries management strategies worldwide. The Aquaculture MPS track focuses on the environmental, technological, social, economic, legal, and political aspects of sustainable aquaculture. The program covers all stages of planning and development, from site and species selection to feasibility studies, resource evaluation, hatchery and grow-out technology, business and production planning, seafood market and marketing strategies and commercialization. Emphasis is placed on the environmental sustainability of commercially important marine species, including fish, shellfish, and macroalgae.

The program combines extensive laboratory courses with substantial hands-on experiences at the University of Miami Experimental Hatchery (UMEH), working with broodstock, spawning, larval rearing, live feed production, nurseries, and shipping/transport. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to participate in a field course, depending on the semester offered, that allows for intensive experience in commercial-scale marine aquaculture. 

The University of Miami – Rosenstiel School Aquaculture Program is renowned for its work in sustainable marine aquaculture. There are few, if any, academic research facilities in the U.S. where students can gain the level of experience with a variety of commercially-relevant species as at the University of Miami.  Courses offered are AQUA 1 (concepts, principles and practices), AQUA 2 (science, technology and extensive lab work at the University of Miami Experimental Hatchery), Aqua 3 (Field Trip to Panama to visit and conduct activities at Open Blue Sea Farms and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission), Aqua 4 (environmental, legal and business) and AQUA 5 (seafood market and marketing). In addition, as needed, and after having completed all AQUA courses as pre-requisites, students can take an Independent Study course covering specific topics in greater depth. The Rosenstiel School’s Aquaculture Program is focused on training the next generation of professionals in this field, and the Aquaculture MPS track offers a unique opportunity to get into this for students that come from a variety of previous educational and work-experience backgrounds.

Graduates of the Aquaculture MPS track are well prepared for jobs across all aspects of the aquaculture industry, ranging from industry, NGO, government, academic, and research institutions. With a nearly 100% employment rate in a relevant field post-graduation, the Aquaculture MPS track has a strong track record of success with providing motivated and qualified graduates with job opportunities throughout the world in the field of aquaculture. Graduates of the UM Aquaculture Program span the world and this extensive network of aquaculture professionals helps ensure that the students in the Aquaculture MPS track are exposed to the most relevant and up-to-date practices in sustainable marine aquaculture.  As the aquaculture industry continues to grow worldwide, the future is bright for graduates that have a passion and motivation for working in this field. In addition, a number of MPS students developed further academic goals and pursued MS and PhD degrees.

While many tracks in Marine Science offer exciting learning opportunities at the Rosenstiel School, few can offer the unique hands-on learning opportunities in a marine aquaculture facility with a multitude of species as found at the UM Experimental Hatchery. Graduates of the program who make the most of the learning opportunities in this track are equipped with levels of experience typically found only in veterans of the industry, in terms of the numbers of species worked with and the exposure to various types of aquaculture. The Aquaculture MPS track equips students for professional careers in aquaculture while offering insights from an extensive network of global aquaculture professionals. The success rate of obtaining internships with prestigious companies, organizations and institutions as well as employment post-graduation is very high.