Aquatic Resources Degree Requirements 

First Year Student Enrollment

All AQUA students, whether in a BSc or a BA degree program, enroll in a common core of introductory courses during their first year of study:

Aquatic Resources 101 + lab (3 credits, 1st term) - Introduction to Freshwater Systems and Resources

Aquatic Resources 102 + lab (3 credits, 2nd term) - Introduction to Ocean Systems and Resources

Earth and Environmental Sciences 171 + lab (3 credits, 1st term) - Understanding the Earth 
or 
Earth and Environmental Sciences 173 (3 credits, fall term) - Natural Hazards

Economics 101 (3 credits, 1st term) - Introduction to Microeconomics

Economics 102 (3 credits, 2nd term) - Introduction to Macroeconomics

Biology 112 + lab (3 credits, 2nd term) - Diversity of Life

The balance of first year courses - up to a total of 30 academic credits - will vary by the students' degree program. For example:

BACHELOR OF ARTS students will enroll in the AQUA core courses (18 credits, as indicated above) and:

• one or two of: [Anthropology 111 & 112]; [Political Science 101 & 102]; [Sociology 101 & 102]
  OR

• one of [Anthropology 111 & 112], or [Political Science 101 & 102], or [Sociology 101 & 102] AND 6 credits from (examples): Philosophy 101, 102; English 111 & 112; Development Studies 101; History 101, 102, 103, 104, 121, 122; Religious Studies 103, 104; Public Policy and Governance 101; a language - French, Spanish, German, Gaelic; Art 101, 102, 115, 125, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 155; etc.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE students will enroll in the AQUA core courses (18 credits, as indicated above) and 'Science core' classes:

• 6 credits of Calculus  [MATH 106 or 126 and 107 or 127 + tutorials]
• 6 credits of Chemistry [101 and 102 + labs or 121 and 122 + labs]

In the SECOND YEAR, AQUA students enroll in AQUA 202 [The Ocean's Commons and Society] and 298 [Managing Water in the Context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals], or 221 [Issues in Resource Management], BSAD 111 [Introduction to Business], and a selection of AQUA-designated courses from departments participating in the AQUA Program. Students also enroll in courses from their second area of concentration in one of the following major fields: Biology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Math/Stats, Economics or Public Policy and Social Research (combination of Anthropology or Sociology, Public Policy and Governance and Political Science).

Note: Students are encouraged to complete AQUA 221 in either their second or third of study.

Study abroad, earn credit, globalize your degree. NOW IS THE TIME for AQUA students interested in international academic exchange opportunities to consult the Outbound Exchange Students website.  Explore the list of universities around the globe where you can study for one or two academic terms, eligibility, StFX internal application deadlines (apply in your second year and travel in your third year), prepare a study plan, speak with the StFX Education Abroad Advisor, and more.

In the THIRD YEAR, AQUA students enroll in AQUA 398 [Sustainability of Aquatic Resources] or AQUA 340 [Fisheries and Aquaculture]; in addition to AQUA-designated courses, as well as courses from their second major area. Students will be contacted early in the first term of their third year to begin preparing for and discussing the upcoming AQUA 400 work term/internship.
Note: AQUA 398 and 340 are offered in alternate years.

During the summer between their third and fourth years of study, all AQUA major students will complete AQUA 400 - work term/internship - characterized by hands-on, career-related experience in an aquatics-related setting. Work term (waged/paid) and/or volunteer positions can be with private industry/businesses, government agencies or departments, non-governmental organizations, academic investigators, consulting companies, etc.

AQUA major students who are away from StFX participating in an Academic Exchange will be guided through the steps and meetings related to the AQUA 400 work term/internship virtually by the instructor.

In the FOURTH YEAR, AQUA students begin by participating in a class debrief focusing on their AQUA 400 Work Term/Internship experiences, completed during the previous summer. During the month of September, the AQUA 450 seminar is launched. This is an interdisciplinary examination of a particular subject, for example: Aquaculture, Aquatic Protected Areas, Oil and Gas Exploration, Invasive Species, Pollution, and more. 

A big part of AQUA 450 are individual student Senior Research Projects that each culminate in a comprehensive paper; a professional presentation to the AQUA 450 class, and guests; and a poster that is displayed and evaluated at the annual StFX Student Research Day (usually in March). Each student is required to find a faculty advisor to mentor them through the development of a senior project, guide the paper writing process, and to ultimately grade the completed document.