Graduate Program 

The Fisheries Centre at UBC was formed in 1993 as a unit of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and in 2007 became part of the then newly-formed College for Interdisciplinary Studies . The FC aims to focus and promote the multidisciplinary study of fisheries. Analytical tools developed in a broad spectrum of parent subjects, including biology, oceanography, economics, engineering, mathematics, sociology, planning and policy are employed in order to assess, appraise and forecast the impacts of both human and natural processes on fishery resources. Fisheries policy and management problems under study include assessment and management of artisanal and commercial food capture fisheries, recreational fisheries, coastal and watershed management, aquaculture biology and engineering, conflict resolution and the co-management of shared fishery resources, and the conservation of endangered exploited species in both marine and freshwater environments.

This guideline is to complement the general regulations detailed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies . The FC is not an admitting department. Students who have the agreement of a Fisheries Centre faculty member to supervise their research apply for admission to UBC Graduate Studies through other departments such as Resource Management and Environmental Studies , Zoology , Geography , or Earth and Ocean Sciences . Most departments require a research proposal as part of the admission process. Once admitted, a student's graduate program is administered through the home department, but s/he is offered study space and other opportunities at the Fisheries Centre. The Fisheries Centre and the First Nations House of Learning also encourage aboriginal students to apply for graduate studies in Master and PhD programs. More information can be found on the Aboriginal Fisheries Reseach Unit web page.

Students should refer to the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for general information and minimum academic guidelines. In general, a bachelors degree in Science (e.g. Ecology, Biology, Zoology), or in relevant quantitative subjects within Arts (e.g. Mathematics, Economics) will normally be required. Degrees from other disciplines will be considered where an applicant's main background is in policy or sociology of fisheries, and where evidence of quantitative experience can be provided. A master's degree is normally required for admission to the doctoral program.

(Graduate students from other universities wishing to visit the Fisheries Centre should consult the UBC Faculty of Graduate Studies webpage and the UBC Faculty Relations webpage to determine whether to apply for Regular Visiting Student status, Exchange Student status, or Visiting Scholar status.  Regular Visiting Students must follow the same application procedure outlined above for regular graduate students.)

Evaluation of Fish Courses and Instructors

Other courses to consider:

Fisheries students may wish to consider taking some of the following courses in other UBC departments. Not all courses are offered every year - consult UBC course list and the departmental websites to confirm details.
 

COSMOS International Graduate Travel Award - The Fisheries Centre is pleased to announce an annual ~$5,000 travel award endowed by Dr. Daniel Pauly and The University of British Columbia for a deserving international graduate student who needs support for research/field work to be conducted in the student’s region or country of origin. Proposal submission deadline is February 1 of each year.
 

Cecil and Kathleen Morrow Scholarship - The Fisheries Centre awards this as a travel research scholarship to the student making the best academic proposal for travel for research work using techniques developed at the Fisheries Centre. Application deadline April 15 each year.

Pacific Biologist Scholarship - The funds donated by the Pacific Fishery Biologists association have now been depleted and no further PFB Scholarships will be awarded.
 

 Contact Information

The students of the Fisheries Centre can take advantage of the expertise that members of the Fisheries Centre have in various fields including Fish Behavior, Fisheries Assessment and Modelling, Tropical Fisheries, Fisheries Policy and Economics, Aquaculture, and much more.  Fisheries Centre members can serve as students' supervisors or in supervisory committees, or provide support and information.

Students interested in knowing more about the Fisheries Centre and our graduate program can contact the Fisheries Centre Graduate Secretary, at the address below: