Aqua Science Courses in India

Aqua Science Courses in India are mostly provided by science colleges in India, esepcially those providing fisheries and marine courses. They are amongst those science courses in India which are primarily interdisciplinary in nature. These may be referred as Marine Courses in India or Fisheries Science Courses in India, though it is only partially appropriate to term them as such. Aqua Science is the multi-disciplinary study of Earth’s interrelated processes (atmosphere, oceans, and land surface) and their relationship to changes in the Earth. Also known as Aquatic Science, this interdisciplinary field may require the study of geology, zoology, chemistry etc. The oceans are one obvious area in which people focus their marine careers; but there are many other aquatic environments such as estuaries, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands in which people base their work. Many species living in the aquatic world are economically important to humans, including fish. It is also becoming understood that the well-being of marine organisms and other organisms are linked in very fundamental ways. The human body of knowledge regarding the relationship between life in the sea and important cycles is rapidly growing, with new discoveries being made nearly every day. Aquatic scientists study virtually everything having to do with water in an effort to improve the natural and human condition. Aquatic scientists study processes that cover time scales ranging from less than a second to daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal, annual, decadal, or geological (millions of years) time scales, and spatial scales ranging from millimetres to ocean-wide.

Some of its specialized fields are -

• Aquaculture.
• Fisheries science.
• Management.
• Marine research and modelling.

Aqua Science Courses in India: Content

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

1. Chemical Oceanography.
2. Marine Ecology.
3. Biological Oceanography.
4. Estuaries and Coastal Zone management.
5. Fishery Science.

Objectives

• To design economical and environmentally sustainable management and production systems.
• To develop and direct up-to-date recirculation facilities within aquaculture.
• To develop effective and selective tools for sustainable fishery.
• To give quantitative advice about the impact of human activities on aquatic organisms and ecosystems.  

Aqua Science Courses in India: Basic Requirements

Aqua Science Education in India Academic Qualifications - One can pursue a bachelor's degree in Fish Farming (B.Sc. in Fishery Sciences) or a bachelor's degree in Zoology (B.Sc. in Zoology). Either of these two bachelor's degrees paves the way for a further master's degree in Aquatic Sciences. 

One can also study for a master's degree in Mariculture (M.Sc. in Mariculture). One can also study for a Ph.D. after getting a master's degree. Diploma courses are also offered by several institutes. These diploma courses can be of 1 to 3 years. Small certificate courses are also offered by some academic institutions. Similarly for post graduation qualification like an M.Sc in aqua science a graduate degree in science or Higher degrees in related fields are preferred.

Aqua Science Colleges in India

1. Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar.
2. G.B. Pant University of Agriculture, Pant Nagar, Nainital.
3. Junagadh Agricultural University, College of Fisheries, Veraval, Sardar Krushinagar.
4. Central Institute of Fisheries Tech (ICAR) Wellington Island, Kochi, Kerala.
5. Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Nandinagar, Bidar.

Personal skills - Besides having a keen interest for underwater environments and various water-bodies, a strong skill of observation, good colour vision, patience, good physical health, perseverance and interest in outdoor activities are some of the other personal traits for this field.

Aqua Science Career & Job Perspectives

With roughly three-quarters of the Earth's surface covered with water, aqua science has emerged as an important employment area. Aqua Science Professionals are what the world's marine companies require as they can ensure food supply and environment for future generations. They are specialists who know how to maintain and utilize marine and freshwater ecosystems in a sustainable way and who are able to develop new aquatic production systems. Professional engaged in aquatic science work in nearly all sectors of the economy. They base their work in many aquatic environments such as estuaries, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. In government agencies, they study the quality of drinking water, help set standards for seafood, and make recommendations on environmental regulations. In the private sector, they work for the oil industry, helping locate underwater oil reserves, and in fish farms keeping the fish healthy. Many scientists who specialize in aquatics enter the academics sector too.

Some Job Types

• Fishery Manager.
• Biologist Supervisors.
• Fishery Manager.
• Aquatic Chemists.
• Physical Limnologists.
• Oceanographers.
• Marine Geologists.
• Aquarists.
• Environmental Planners.
• Port Authority Worker.
• Marine Science Writer.

Some Employment Areas

1. Aquariums.
2. Marine National Parks.
3. Educational Institutes.
4. Research Institutes.
5. Marine Amusement Parks.
6. Waste-water Plants.
7. Fishing Companies.
8. Fisheries Department.