Skip to Section
Submitter's Information
Jazmin Guzman
Administrative Assistant
Los Angeles
Santa Monica College
CTE Dean
Patricia Ramos
Log in to view CTE Dean's Email.
Program Details
Aquaculture Technician I
Program Modifications (formerly substantial changes)
Wildlife and Fisheries (011520)
08/25/25
This certificate prepares students for entry- and middle-skill work for the burgeoning Blue Economy in Southern California, including the
aquaculture industry. The program emphasizes workforce preparation at the interface of global climate change and sustainability. With
consideration for environmental change, additionally, this program addresses conservation and restoration practices for endangered species.
10 projections
Program Proposal Attributes
- Certificate of Achievement: 8 to fewer than 16 semester (or 12 to fewer than 24 quarter) units (B)
- Certificate of Achievement: 16 or greater semester (or 24 or greater quarter) units (C)
1. Provide students with rigorous and relevant education and practical hands-on experience in regenerative aquaculture technologies
2. Prepare students for entry level positions in the aquaculture industry, including aquarium science, restoration aquaculture, and/or applied
aquaculture and/or conservation research in California.
3. Cultivate students' capacity to succeed in the workforce through skill attainment, critical thinking, and innovative problem solving.
Course Units and Hours
14 - 19
n/a
n/a
Course Report
The program was designed for students to complete requirements within one-year (two academic semesters, including summer intersession). Courses are offered in different modalities: online, hybrid,and in-person. Laboratory courses are offered in-person in an aquaculture facility to simulate real-world applications of techniques learned in the classroom; work-based experiences such as guestspeakers, workshops facilitated by industry experts, and facility tours familiarize and engage students in the field while internships provide students with practical workplace experience to prepare themfor the workforce.
While there are two other community colleges in Southern California that offer agriculture programs with the same top code, there is not an existing aquaculture-specific program with top code 0115.20in LA County. This is currently a small market that needs a skilled workforce, and is expected to increase greatly in the future, as the need for food security and endangered species restoration intensifies. Entry-level positions hourly earnings range from $15.58 to $20.88 while experienced workers can expect to earn $21.66 to $29.78, which are considered higher than the self-sufficiency standard in LACounty (Center of Excellence Program Endorsement, 0115.20 August 2024). Additionally, the program is designed to enable students to continue to add skills through additional coursework and training after completing program requirements for the Certificate of Achievement - Aquaculture Technician I.
| Course | Title | Units | Year/Semester (Y1 or S1) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | Aqua 1 | Introduction to Aquaculture: History, Ecology and Sustainability | 3 | S1, Y1 |
| Course 2 | Aqua 2 | Applications in Aquaculture - System Design, Monitoring and Maintenance | 4 | S1, Y1 |
| Biology 15 | Marine Biology w/ Lab (4 units) or one course from each group: | 4 | S1, Y1 | |
| Course 3: Elective(s) Choose Biology 15 or one course from Group 1 and one course from Group 2 (4-6 units) | Group 1 Business 55 Biology 9 Biology 10 Engineering 11 Group 2 Biology 15N Geology 31 | Southern California's International Connections and Blue/Ocean Economy Environmental Biology Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology Engineering Graphics and Design Marine Biology, no laboratory Introduction to Physical Oceanography | 3 3 3 3 3 3 | S1, Y1 |
| Course 4: Elective – Choose one course (2-3 units) | Aqua 10A Health 11 | Scuba First Aid and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (3 units) OR equivalent | 2 3 | S2, Y1 |
| Course 5: Elective – Choose one course (1-3 units) | Aqua 88B | Independent Studies | 2 | S2, Y1 |
| Course 5: Elective – Choose one course (1-3 units) | Aqua 90A | Internship | 1 | S2, Y1 |
| Course 5: Elective – Choose one course (1-3 units) | Aqua 90B | Internship | 2 | S2, Y1 |
| Course 5: Elective – Choose one course (1-3 units) | Aqua 90C | Internship | 3 | S2, Y1 |
Supporting Documents
Los Angeles Regional Questions
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College
Patricia Ramos
Log in to view Email.
Log in to view Phone.
Program Modification
Life Sciences
No existing programs in aquaculture with top code 0115.20
10 projected
Life Science & Biotechnology
1. Program Title - modification to the current program title from "Certificate of Achievement - Level I" to "Certificate of Achievement - Aquaculture
Technician I"
2. Courses
2A. Addition of one elective course to the currently approved certificate course (AQUA 10A - Scuba): HEALTH 11 - First Aid and
Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (3 units) OR equivalent first aid training
2B. Addition of three elective courses to the currently approved certificate course (AQUA 88B - Independent Studies): Aqua 90A - Internship (1
unit), Aqua 90B - Internship (2 units), and Aqua 90C- Internship (3 units)
Submission Details
11/26/24 - 07:53 PM
Informational
Return to Drafts
Please list the reason(s) for returning "Aquaculture Technician I". to Jazmin Guzman's drafts. This message will be sent to guzman_jazmin@smc.edu
Comments, Documents, Voting
Comments
All Comments
No comments to display.