Fisheries Science (Stock Assessment) Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree

You want to apply your mathematics and statistics expertise to construct models that inform stakeholders about biomass of organisms in the ocean and how to harvest sustainably.

Academia, government agencies, NGOS, international management bodies, seafood industry.

The degree of Master of Science in Fisheries Science (Stock Assessment) is a full-time, research-focused Master’s degree offered by the Marine Institute’s School of Fisheries. This program is for students who aim to pursue a career in stock assessment, a discipline within fisheries science.

Stock assessment professionals use data derived from many sources to construct statistical models that inform us about biomass of organisms in the ocean and how many can be caught sustainably. While stock assessment professionals must have many of the same proficiencies as other fisheries scientists, they have an additional requirement of being experts on the mathematics and statistics that underpin this heavily quantitative field.

This program recognizes that fisheries science is a broad discipline that is applied in nature and requires a high degree of skills to be done well. Students will gain practical skills through coursework while developing their theoretical understanding through supervised research and through their interactions as an active participant within the scientific community. Students will also be exposed to the depth of the field of fisheries science through lab meetings, reading groups and guest lectures.

To be considered for admission to the program, an applicant will normally possess a high second class Honours degree or an M.D. degree, or the equivalent of either, both in achievement and depth of study from an institution of recognized standing.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge of mathematics, statistics and scientific computing.

Applicants will need to have identified a supervisor, who must be either a research scientist with the Marine Institute’s School of Fisheries, a cross-appointed or adjunct faculty with the School or an actively-publishing researcher within the School who holds a Ph.D.

Any other applicant may be considered for admission provided that:

• The applicant’s undergraduate record after the first year shows an average of at least Grade B in courses in the proposed field of specialization;
• The applicant’s overall undergraduate record after the first year shows an average of at least Grade B in all courses taken; and
• The applicant demonstrates a commitment and passion for mathematics or statistics, through employment or experience in field schools, research programs, regulatory agencies or government departments, non-governmental organizations, consulting activities, or other relevant activities.