comprehensive, oral comprehensive, and/or thesis defense will be made by the student's graduate committee according to established School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences procedures.

A review period of no less than 60 days, and no more than one year, is required of candidates who fail the written comprehensive examination, thesis final defense, or oral comprehensive (non-Thesis). Additional courses or thesis work may be required of an unsuccessful candidate. Committee changes are not normally approved between the first taking of the comprehensive examinations or thesis final defense and the retake. The written comprehensive examination may not be retaken more than once for the master's degree.

The Graduate Certificate in Aquaculture/Aquatic Sciences can be earned by successfully completing 12 hrs. of Aquaculture (AQU) 500 level courses. These courses can be online, classroom, or any combination. To enroll, students must first be admitted to the University on either a degree seeking or non-degree seeking basis. Work completed for the Certificate may later be applied toward the Masters of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences degree. As with all graduate level classes, students must pass all classes for this certificate with a grade of “B” or higher.

All program requirements must be completed within three years of initial admission, unless otherwise approved by the Chairperson of the School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences.

The University expects all students to attend class regularly. Students are responsible for coursework covered during all class periods. Each instructor will record absences and deal with them in a manner consistent with University policy. If a student presents the instructor with an adequate and documented reason for an absence, the instructor normally will give the student an opportunity to make up the work missed, if this is feasible. Adequate reasons involve circumstances beyond the student's control, such as personal illness, critical illness or death in the immediate family, or participation in an approved University activity. It is the student's responsibility to initiate the request to make up class work missed. Students should familiarize themselves with each faculty member's course syllabus for specific details.

A limited number of Graduate Research Assistantships provide student assistance for the Aquaculture Program. Students holding these positions work 20 hours per week. Assistantships are awarded on the basis of need and high academic achievement.