Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Aquaponics is devised to provide students with the knowledge, and skills for a dynamic career in the aquaponics industry, or to continue for graduate education The coursework will provide a strong foundation in aquaponics, hydroponics, vertical farming, by integrating technical, biological, economic, and social principles across different disciplines. Courses in in General Horticulture, Fruit and Vegetable Production, Agriculture Economics, Greenhouse Production, Quality Assurance of Agricultural Products, Food Safety, and Engineering Drawing, are integral components of the program.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Aquaponics students will be able to:

  1. Acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding across different disciplines such as aquaculture, horticulture, food safety, water quality, recirculating aquaculture systems, agricultural economics, among others.
  2. Design, build, implement, and/or operate an aquaponics facility.
  3. Explain the technical, financial, social, and economic components for setting up an aquaponics facility.
  4. Identify technical problems in the operation of an aquaponics facility and recommend solutions.
  5. Integrate environmentally sustainable practices in aquaponics practices.
  6. Design and/or adapt aquaponic technologies appropriate to the social and economic/local environment in the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean.
  7. Incorporate technical standards and regulations related to food production in aquaponic systems.
  8. Prepare a production process for an aquaponic facility considering technical, financial, market and labor challenges.
  9. Design, adapt, and/or enhance workplace procedures that maintain safe and healthy working conditions.
  10. Recommend regular monitoring and digital tools to implement traceability of products to facilitate food safety and environmental risk mitigation plans.

Graduation Requirements

Bachelor of Science Degree: Aquaponics (120 Credits)

Students in the BS program in Aquaponics will fulfill General Education requirements outlined for the BS degree by taking Freshman Studies courses (if required), taking a proscribed set of 3 humanities courses and 9 additional humanities credits to fulfill the 18-credit humanities requirement, taking 28 credits of proscribed science and math courses, and taking 9 credits of social sciences. Total credits earned must add to 120 credits. Other Requirements*.

A. General Education Requirements                                                                                                                52 Credits

B. Aquaponics                                                                                                                                                                  50 Credits

C. Elective Courses                                                                                                                                                       9-15 Credits

Total                                                                                                                                                                                       120 Credits

*Other Requirements (2 Credits): Students are required to take 0.5 credit hour in Physical Education for every semester they are full-time students up to the required two credits. PLS 200 may be used to meet this requirement.

English Proficiency Examination

Computer Literacy Examination

Paradigm (Degree Plan)

First Year (Semester 1)

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
§ FDS Freshman Development Seminar 1
COM 119 Interpersonal Communication & Leadership Skills 3
ENG 120 English Composition 3
MAT 140/MAT 143 College Algebra/Pre-Calculus Algebra 4
AGR 101 Introduction to Agriculture 3
AGR 112 Careers in Agriculture 1
    Total: 15

First Year (Semester 2)

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
BIO 141 General Biology I 4
MAT 235 Introduction to Statistics with Applications 4
§ SSC 100 An Introduction to the Social Sciences                    3
§ SCI 100 The Natural World: The Caribbean  3
    Total: 14

Second Year (Semester 3)

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
AGR 130 General Horticulture 3
BIO 142 General Biology II 4
CHE 141 Introduction to Chemistry 4
CHE 141 L Introduction to Chemistry Lab 1
  Social Sciences 3
    Total: 15

Second Year (Semester 4)

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
EGR 131 Engineering Drawing 3
ENG 201 Research & Applied Wrtiting 3
AGR 115 Introduction to Marine & Freshwater Aquaculture Production 3
  Humanities Course 3
  Social Sciences 3
    Total: 15

Third Year (Semester 5)

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
AGR 221 Aquaculture Techniques 4
AGR 201 Agricultural Economics 4
AGR 245 Fruit Production 3
  Humanities Course 3
    Total: 14

Third Year (Semester 6)

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
AGR 240 Vegetable Production 3
AGR 330 Hydroponics and Aquaponics 4
AGR 230 Integrated Pest Management 3
ENV 200 Intro to Environmental Science and Policy 3
  Humanities Course or Elective 3
    Total: 16

Fourth Year (Semester 7)

Course Name Course Name Credit Hours
AGR 255 Agriculture Intership 3
AGR 302 Quality Assurance of Agricultural Products 3
AGR 406 Recirculating Aquaculture Technologies 3
  Social Sciences Course or Elective 3
  Elective 3-4
    Total: 15-16

Fourth Year (Semester 8)

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
AGR 338 Principles of Food Safety 3
AGR 401 Greenhouse Production Management 3
AGR 407 Water Quality Management 4
  Elective 3
  Elective 3
    Total: 16

§: Required for all freshman students matriculating into the university with less than 24 credits.