Fisheries Science M.S.

he Fisheries Science graduate program focuses on quantitative analysis of marine and freshwater fish populations, water quality, fish systematics, fish and invertebrate physiology, stream ecology, modeling of aquatic ecosystems, land use interactions, endangered species, and aquaculture.

Marine Research

Students can choose to spend one term at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, an extended campus facility located in Newport, where we have courses emphasizing the marine environment.

The Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit has active research programs funded in part by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey. The Agricultural Experiment Station, the Sea Grant program, Forest Science Laboratory and other organizations fund major research projects.

The department maintains extensive collections of vertebrate species, which are curated by Brian Sidlauskas (fish), Clinton Epps (mammals), and Bruce Dugger (birds). The Oregon State Ichthyology Collection is also available to view online. 

Options: 

Aquaculture, conservation biology, fish genetics, ichthyology, limnology, parasites and diseases, physiology and ecology of marine and freshwater fishes, stream ecology, toxicology, water pollution biology

Learning Outcomes: 
  • Students will demonstrate that they conducted research or produced some other form of creative work.
  • Student demonstrate mastery of subject material relevant to their thesis topic.
  • Students will learn to conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.
  • Upon completion, a student will have produced a well written thesis that placed their work in proper context and used correct style and grammar to effectively communicate major findings.  
  • Each student will learn and demonstrate the capacity to deliver a well-organized and easy to follow defense seminar.
  • Student will learn and demonstrate good oral communications skills during the closed defense with their committee.
  • Students will display evidence of critical thinking skills during the oral defense.

Read more about our learning outcomes.

Learn more: 

Our Department's decision for admission is not the date of application but your acceptance by a faculty advisor. Please review more information on How to Apply prior to submitting an application.

Degree: 
Fisheries Science
Level: 
Master of Science (M.S.)
Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (M.A.I.S.)
Department: 
Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences
Class Location: 
Corvallis Campus
Contact Us: 

If you have questions about any of the graduate programs please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.