Aquaculture
The Aquaculture Certificate Program is 22 semester hours of introductory courses in shellfish aquaculture and business management. Classes include a combination of hands-on practical experience, applied science and business courses. Students learn hands-on skills throughout the aquaculture practicum series such as water quality testing, system construction and, feeding, and breeding technology.
The focus of the program is on salt-water shellfish species such as oysters. Graduates of the certificate program may find employment on private farms, municipalities, hatcheries or begin their own aquaculture production.
View the curriculum for this academic program in the latest college catalog here.
This program is no longer accepting new students.
Certificates
The Aquaculture Certificate Program is 22 semester hours of introductory courses in shellfish aquaculture and business management. Classes include a combination of hands-on practical experience, applied science and business courses. Students learn hands-on skills throughout the aquaculture practicum series such as water quality testing, system construction and, feeding, and breeding technology.
The focus of the program is on salt-water shellfish species such as oysters. Graduates of the certificate program may find employment on private farms, municipalities, hatcheries or begin their own aquaculture production.
Program Outcomes
At the completion of the program the student should be able to:
- Apply knowledge and skills to successfully complete industry certificates/training including YSI Water Quality Measurement Certification; HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points); OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
- Apply aquaculture technique to seed in order to breed, grow and harvest oysters
- Analyze environmental conditions for optimal growing and potential hatchery sites
- Understand business and entrepreneurial concepts in order to operate an aquaculture enterprise
- Understand operations of hatcheries and municipal environmental management organizations
Plymouth
Quincy
Aquaculture Courses
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Code
Course
Credits
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- AQC 101
Aquaculture Practicum I
- 3
-
- AQC 102
Principles of Aquaculture
- 3
-
- AQC 201
Aquaculture Practicum II
- 3
-
- BIO 160
Marine Ecology
- 4
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- MGT 230
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
- 3
AQC Student Spotlight
Two of the Aquaculture program graduates, Will and Katie Schultz are immediately putting their aquaculture certification to good use, launching an Aquaculture farm in Rhode Island.
Self-identified foodies, Will and Katie Schultz of East Bridgewater stumbled upon the Quincy College at Plymouth Aquaculture program when it first launched the Summer of 2016. Looking for the best outlet for their entrepreneurial spirit that kept them close to the water, Katie, a graduate from Plymouth State College (now Plymouth State University) in New Hampshire with a baccalaureate in Psychology works as a cardiac sonographer and Will, a world-traveler.
Will always enjoyed oysters. Via the Quincy College Aquaculture program, Will was able to discover how one of his favorite foods made it to the table.
The year-long Quincy College aquaculture program was appealing to the couple as it quickly built their knowledge base of the growing aquaculture industry in coastal New England.
Reflecting on his education experience in the new Quincy College Aquaculture program:
“Quincy College has been phenomenal. I was in my mid-30s returning to college with my high school diploma in hand. I had taken classes before at different colleges and felt that the fit just wasn’t right. At Quincy College, the students are focused, invested, and are here to learn. I have yet to find one professor who wasn’t helpful or informative at Quincy College. It’s been a great experience. I hope to continue my education as I build my business and explore Aquaculture further, possibly continuing my education in Rhode Island,” stated Will Schultz.
Will and Katie as part of the Quincy College Aquaculture program worked in and outside the classroom, completing two practicums with local South Shore business including Chatham Shellfish Company where the students received hands-on field work experience. They also worked at the Aquaculture Research Corporation which provided critical experience working in a shellfish hatchery.
Currently, Katie and Will are looking to establish a grant site for their aquaculture farm in Rhode Island. The site location can vary as only five percent of any pond in Rhode Island can be used for aquaculture. The couple are looking to establish a 3-acre farm, costing roughly $60,000 per acre.
The yet to be named Aquaculture farm owned by the Schultz’s will look to market oysters harvested to local area restaurants and other outlets looking to purchase sustainable oysters. Will and Katie are focused on not only their burgeoning business but their growing family as Katie is expecting the couple’s first child.
The future outlook is quite bright for the young couple. Will Schultz now jokingly ribs his father who works in the Financial District of Boston: “I have the most gorgeous office (speaking of the open water). For the first time in my life, I can say to my father that I have the better office view.”

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