Studying aquarium fish? MS? PhD?

pedzola

pedzola

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Aug 26, 2005
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For all of the "professionals" out there...

I've decided it's time for a drastic career change, before I get too old. I currently work in IT, but I've decided that I need to do something meaningful with my life. After evaluating my interests, I decided that a life of science pursuing the interests of aquarium fish would be "meaningful" for me.

My question is... how do I get started? Does anyone here work in aquaria or aquaculture, in a research capacity?

I have a business degree (MIS, UConn, Dec. '03). I've tried searching through curriculums at various American universities, only to find a huge amount of "Marine Biology" courses, but nothing relating to freshwater fish or closed aquatic systems.

Does anyone know where I might be able to start? I thought I might first try to find somebody who works in the field. Ideally, a faculty member at a university who I might be able to study with. Does anyone know of any Universities that offer graduate-level study in limnology, or the ecology of tropical freshwater environments?

Thanks in advance for any help or guidance you can provide.

- Chris
 
Two routes that i can think of. Get a bachelor's degree in general biology, or wildlife biology. Go to grad school where you will specialize in some aspect of freshwater fish, eventually after years and years of slowly climbing the rungs of academia you will get your PhD and be considered an ichtheologist. By this time you will probably be a snooty "look down your nose at hobbiests" type prefessor. I must also add that science today is VERY specialized and VERY competative.

The other route is to get an Associates or Bachelor's degree in aquaculture. Get a job working for a hatchery, for the government, or with a private company. Probably still very competative, but alot cheaper, and shorter route to a fishy career ;)
 
My original thought was that maybe I could get a job in the industry using what I've already got (Business/IT background), and not really have to go back to school.

However, I thought I'd probably just end up in another cubicle-type job, albeit at a different kind of organization.

I think I'd really like to do some hands-on research and "work with the animals." Either that or I'd like to be a college professor one day.


Thanks for the Rhode Island link, I will check that out. I just heard back from a fish biology professor at my Alma Mater, and he said that while they take people from various backgrounds for graduate study, I would need at least a couple of biology courses to be eligible.

I'm thinking maybe I can take some night courses or something to get up to speed over the next year, then start applying to grad schools and see who will take me... I dunno!

I'd still really like to find a faculty member at a university somewhere who studies freshwater aquarium fish... someody who could help guide me to my goals....

I dunno......
 
pedzola, in response to your last post above, alot of universities have become flexible in their programs--some allow you to write your own program
as long as it fits certain criteria!! I did for my Masters in Art. Best of luck to you, 'tis a noble thing!!! :thm:
 
Another angle that could be conected to Aquariums is aquatic botany. The interest in nicely designed planted aquariums is growing much like the popularity of the full reef tank did a couple decades ago. The Senske brothers in TX have an aquarium design, installation and maintenance company.

There are several angles that you could go at this, each requireing a defferent sort of learning. Everything from scolastic studies useing fish as subjects, plant phisiology, aquarium maintenance, product design, Hatchery programs-iether for natives or aquarium industry...

Whatever you choose aim to improve the condition and quality of what you are dealing with.
 
When you’re talking about working with animals, the best thing to do is often to volunteer first. Also your idea of finding an IT or business job in an aquaria institution is a great idea. Either route will give you a first jab at job openings. Some institutes will hire people who are still working on their degree, if they are familiar with the individual.

Also many universities will allow you to start a master's program even if it did not relate to your undergrad degree. However you will have to take some undergrad classes. I hope you took basic bio as an undergrad. You may even want to take a basic bio class at a community college just to get your feet wet.

Bowling Green in Ohio does a lot of work with the animals in lake Erie, and they have some great indoor labs.
 
So you want to be an ichthyologist or someone who studdies aquarium fish? My lfs knows of an in home class that you can take. All you have to do is to do the work daily out of a workbook, and once a year you have to go to chicago to take the tests. It costs about 150 USD.
 
You know, I don't really like animals besides fish, and cats.

lol.

Unfortunately I never took science courses in college. I took an introductory chemistry class and thats it. No science or math required for a business degree! And thats why I did it! ;)



The more I think about it, the more I realize I'm not really sure what exactly it is that I want to do. I would like to be a college professor, for sure... but is it worth it? I would need an awful lot of school (PhD) to go down that road....

It would be a lot of time... and I'd probably be in debt the rest of my life...


o___O
 
You don't necessarily have to have a PhD to be a college prof. Many of my profs at the different schools I have gone to have only had their masters. I think that it would probably by easier to find a job and the pay would be a lot better with your doctorate but take things one step at a time!!

I am kinda thinking along the same lines right now. I would like to go back and get my masters so that I could teach at a small school, most likely community college level.

I would think that if you were to contact a biology department at any school near you and talk to an advisor they would be able to help you out with what the next step is. Good luck and follow your dreams!!!!
 
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