Bachelor B.Sc Fisheries and Aquatic Science (Regular) At UCC

A fishery is the enterprise of raising or harvesting fish and other aquatic life.

Aquatic Science means relating to water; living in or near water or taking place in water; does not include groundwater, as “aquatic” implies an environment where plants and animals live.

 Aquatic Science may also refer to Aquatic animal, either vertebrate or invertebrate, which lives in water for most or all of its life.

About Programme: 

Rationale

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences was established in the 2002/2003 academic year.

The Department emerged as an offshoot of the former Department of Zoology with the aim to enable the University of Cape Coast to focus its attention on fisheries and coastal resources of Ghana.

A significant proportion of Ghanaians derive their livelihoods from fisheries (both marine and inland) and the exploitation of other coastal resources.

The rationale for the bachelor’s programme in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences is to introduce students to fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal resource management issues as well as to the scientific methods and tools for investigating the issues. 

Entry Requirements: 

The minimum admission requirement into the University of Cape Coast for WASSCE applicants is aggregate 36.

For SSSCE applicants, the minimum requirement is aggregate 24. 

Candidates must have passed in six (6) subjects with an overall aggregate of 36/24 at the WASSCE/SSSCE level respectively.

Three of the six subjects must be core subjects:

 English language, mathematics, and Integrated Science or Social Studies, and three must be in relevant electives. 

For purposes of admission, a pass in:

  1. WASSCE means Grade: A1 – C6
  2. SSSCE means Grade: A – D.

In addition to the above, candidates must satisfy requirements as indicated below: 

Candidates must obtain:

passes in Core English, Core Mathematics and Integrated Science or Social Studies

passes in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics with grades NOT lower than C6

an overall aggregate of 36 or better in three core and three elective subjects.

Progression Requirements

In addition all UCC regulations, candidates must: 

Register and follow approved courses

Have attended 75% lectures minimum 

Have participated in at least 75% of  all field/laboratory exercises and trips

Graduation Requirements

Candidate must:

Pass all requisite examinations (50% minimum score)

Successfully defend their dissertation

Satisfy all other  UCC requirements

Goal / Objectives: 

The goal of the bachelor’s programme is to build the needed human capacity that could support the government in achieving its development objectives of food security, biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction, and sustainable management of Ghana’s fisheries, coastal and marine ecosystems to provide long-term goods and services to communities.  

 The objectives are to:

To train students in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences for employment in public and private sector organizations.

To equip students with techniques in Integrated Coastal Zone Management to assist coastal communities to improve their livelihood.

To conduct research in marine, brackish water and freshwater ecosystems to assist decision-makers to formulate policies on sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources.

Career Opportunities: 

You can find jobs in the following areas:

Government agencies like the Fisheries Ministry

NGOs engaged in an aquatic environmental campaign

Industries in fish processing and canning

Firms engaged in commercial fishing.