Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences
School of Biological Sciences
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences is one of the seven Departments in the School of Biological Sciences. The Department’s focus is conducting research and training of middle and high-level manpower in fields related to productivity, conservation and sustainable use of aquatic habitats and their resources. In this regard, it offered programmes leading to the award of a B. Sc. degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, M. Phil. and Ph. D. in one of the following specialized areas:
- Fisheries Science
- Aquaculture
- Integrated Coastal Zone Management
- Oceanography and Limnology
The University borders the Gulf of Guinea in the region of Ghana with the highest marine fish production. The Department’s location thus exposes students to a vast array of opportunities in coastal marine and brackishwater studies.
Vision
The vision of the Department is to become a leading institution of learning, teaching and research in fisheries and coastal management in Ghana, a Department of choice, having unique and innovative activities with the capacity to advance healthy marine, coastal and inland aquatic ecosystems for sustained provision of goods and services in collaboration with public and private institutions locally and internationally.
Mission
The Department aims to achieve an appropriate balance between conservation and utilization of Ghana’s marine, coastal and inland fisheries and aquatic resources through integrated scientific research, education of the next generation of fisheries scientists and coastal management practitioners, as well as undertake community outreach interventions.
Objectives
- To train students in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences for employment in public and private sector organizations.
- To equip students with techniques in Integrated Coastal Zone Management to assist coastal communities to improve their livelihood.
- To conduct research in marine, brackish water and freshwater ecosystems to assist decision makers to formulate policies on sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources.
Why Choose the Department
The uniqueness of the Department’s academic programmes stems from its exclusive focus on aquatic ecosystems, fisheries and other resources, with special emphasis on their conservation and management. Our programmes are top-notch, demand-driven and oriented to meet the needs of the job market. Our programmes are regularly reviewed and implemented within long-term teaching and practical field projects that put our students at the heart of the training, giving them hands-on experience to conduct integrated aquatic environmental assessments and developing concepts, methods and competencies for sustaining and managing aquatic ecosystems and resources.
Job opportunities
Graduate of our programmes have many opportunities for employment. These opportunities are available in the following areas:
- Research institutes dealing in marine and/or freshwater studies
- Ministry of Agriculture
- Ministry of Health
- NGOs working in the coastal zone and inland waters
- Fish farms
- Banks
- Mining companies
- Lecturing in tertiary institutions
- District and Municipal Assemblies
- Fishing Companies
- Oil Industry
Entry requirements/ Prerequisites
Senior High School (SHS) requirements as specified by the School of Biological Sciences. Candidates must have passes in Core English, Core Mathematics and Core Science.
i. In addition to the above, candidates must have obtained passes in the following three elective subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics with grades not lower than D in Biology and one other Science subject.
ii. Candidates who satisfy the requirements or better in (i) above but have obtained passes in three (3) of the elective Science subjects with overall aggregate of 22 may enrol with the School of Biological Sciences for the Remedial Science programme and pass an Entrance Examination to enhance their chances of admission.
Applicants should note that to participate in the Science Remedial programme, the total aggregate for six subjects: three (3) core and three (3) electives should not exceed 22.
General requirements for graduation
To be eligible for graduation, students are expected to obtain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 1.0 (i.e. an average grade D in all courses) in addition to a project dissertation. In total, a minimum of 120 credit hours should be achieved in order to graduate.
Postgraduate Programmes
The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme is of two years duration, comprising coursework in the first year and thesis research in the second year.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme involves a 3 –year thesis research into a problem in one of the four areas of specialization. These four areas are
- PhD in Aquaculture
- PhD in Fisheries Science
- PhD in Integrated Coastal Zone Management
- PhD in Oceanograhy and Limnography
Entry requirements
MPhil Programmes
- Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences with a Second Class Upper Division or higher
- Bachelor's degreee in Fisheries related course with a Second Class Upper Division or higher
PHD Programmes
- Masters degree (MRes, MPhil, etc) in Fisheries related course or Biological Sciences
