Special Application Procedures for International Students
Degree Completion Requirements
Time Limit for Degree Completion
Graduate Student Assistantships
The Aquaculture Research and Extension Programs, and the Division of Mathematics and Sciences at Kentucky State University offer a Master of Science Degree in Aquaculture/Aquatic Sciences. Aquaculture is the rearing of aquatic organisms under controlled or semi-controlled conditions. Interest in Aquaculture has increased world-wide as fish consumption has increased concurrently with decreasing catches of wild fish. In Kentucky and the southern United States, Aquaculture production focuses on raising freshwater species commercially.
The curriculum meets criteria established by the University Programs Standards Committee of the American Fisheries Society for Fish Culture Specializations.
This program is designed to provide students with the training and experience required for immediate employment. However, the program is also designed to provide the academic foundation for further graduate studies. As a thesis based degree, each student will have a graduate committee. This committee will be responsible for evaluating the student’s competencies based on comprehensive evaluation, and thesis presentation and defense.
Upon completion of the program, a student should have knowledge of production and reproduction of primary Aquaculture species, basic physiology and nutrition of aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate culture species, mechanics and operation of primary production methods, causes and controls of pathogenic organisms, the function and manipulation of biological and chemical cycles in ponds, and the design and analysis of experiments.
Admission to the Graduate Program in Aquaculture/Aquatic Science is based upon evidence that the applicant has already attained a certain minimal academic proficiency. Applicants must assume responsibility for filing complete admission data.
Application Form - Each student must submit a completed, signed application form with all requested information provided. An application form can be obtained from the Aquaculture Research Center or Division of Mathematics and Sciences. A letter describing the applicants goals and career objectives is also required.
Transcripts - Two official copies of transcripts of all previous college/university credits showing all grades received and any degrees or certificates that have been awarded must be provided by each applicant. For the student who has not completed his/her undergraduate degree at the time of application for admission to the Aquaculture Program, the student must submit an official transcript at the time of application, and an official transcript with the posted degree once the degree requirements have been completed. An official transcript must bear the seal and signature of the registrar from the sending institution. Graduates from all schools other than Kentucky State University should contact their registrars and request that official copies of their transcripts be forwarded directly to the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Students seeking admission must be graduates of a fully accredited four year institution of higher learning authorized to grant the baccalaureate degree.
Graduate Records Examination - All applicants for admission to the program must submit satisfactory official score reports from the general section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) at the time of application. The GRE must have been taken within the past five years. Certain domestic students who have not had a prior opportunity to take the GRE may be admitted provisionally for one semester provided they take the test during their initial semester as a graduate student. Applications to take the GRE can be obtained from, and must be sent to, the Educational Testing Service, P. O. Box 6000, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6000 (609-771-7670 or 510-654-1200). It is the responsibility of the applicant to apply for and take the examination and to have the official scores sent to the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator.
Letters of Recommendation - Applicants should solicit three letters of recommendation from instructors at previous institutions and request that they be mailed to the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator.
Application Deadlines - Applications must be received by July 1 for Fall semester, and by December 1 for Spring semester admission.
Types of Graduate Admission - After evaluation of an applicant’s credentials, the applicant will be notified by letter that (1) admission has been granted under one of the categories listed below, (2) admission has been denied, or (3) a decision has been deferred for reasons listed in the notice. An admission letter will be issued by the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator and the Division of Mathematics and Sciences stating the conditions of admission and period of validity for the admission. An applicant who has not received an admission, denial, or deferral notice 48 hours prior to the beginning of the final regular registration period should contact, in person, the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator or the Division of Mathematics and Sciences for clarification. Attendance in the Master of Science in Aquaculture/Aquatic Science Program at Kentucky State University is not a right, but a privilege which can be withdrawn by the University if deemed necessary in order to safeguard the University’s standards.
1. Unconditional Admission - Applicants who meet the requirements for admission to the graduate program are eligible for unconditional admission. General requirements for unconditional admission are:
B. An overall undergraduate grade-point-average of 3.0 (4.0 = A).
C. Satisfactory scores on the GRE (minimum 1,000 verbal, quantitative, and analytic combined).
3. Probationary Admission - An applicant who does not meet conditions B and/or C of the admission requirements for unconditional admission, but does show promise for successful graduate studies may be granted probationary admission. Students must be removed from probationary admission prior to registering in any graduate course work beyond an initial 12 semester credit hours. The minimum condition for transfer from probationary admission status to unconditional admission status is the successful completion of at least nine semester credit hours of graduate course work at Kentucky State University while maintaining a graduate grade-point-average of at least 3.0 and with no more than one grade (regardless of the number of course credit hours) of "C" or lower. The student will be informed of all conditions for consideration for unconditional admission at the time the student is granted probationary admission status. A student admitted under the probationary admission status should not attempt any graduate course work graded pass/fail. A student in probationary status may not hold an assistantship or be admitted to candidacy without first achieving unconditional admission status. International students will not be admitted on a probationary admission basis.
4. Non-Degree Admission - An individual wishing to take graduate Aquaculture courses for personal or professional development, but who does not plan to pursue a graduate degree, may be admitted as a non-degree student. A non-degree student must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and must have a minimum overall undergraduate grade-point-average of 2.0 (4.0 = A).
5. Visiting Student Admission - Because of the uniqueness of the Aquaculture Program, Kentucky State University is attractive to many students who have been previously admitted to other accredited graduate programs. In order for a visiting student to be officially enrolled for graduate credit at Kentucky State University, the student must file an application form and submit an official Visiting Student Form. The Visiting Student Form must bear the seal of the Graduate School and the signature of the Graduate Dean where the student has been admitted.
Advisement - Along with admission to the Program, each student shall be assigned an advisor. The student shall take the initiative to become familiar with the objectives of the program and pertinent regulations, as they are described in the Catalogue, prior to scheduling a conference with the assigned advisor.
Special Application Procedures for International Students - In addition to the general guidelines for admission, international students must:
The normal load of a graduate student during any semester is nine semester credit hours or equivalent. Under no circumstances may it exceed 15 credit hours or equivalent. Part-time students who are employed full-time are advised to carry no more than six semester credit hours of graduate-level course work in any semester.
Candidates for the master’s degree are restricted to a maximum of nine semester credit hours of credit by transfer of work completed at another accredited graduate institution. Official copies of transcripts must be submitted and evaluated before any transfer credit can be accepted. Certain courses submitted for transfer may not be considered equivalent to specified program requirements even though course titles are the same.
A student may repeat a graduate course and count the second grade as part of the graduate grade-point-average. This action will be initiated by petition of the student to the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator and the Division of Mathematics and Sciences, and may be done only once.
The University awards letter grades which are translated into quality points to determine the grade-point-average, or point standing. The system is based neither on an absolute numerical system nor on a distribution curve. Some instructors add a "+" or a "-" to the letter grade to help students understand more accurately their performance; however, such designations are not recorded on student records and do not affect the point standing. The following system of symbols will be used in grading students:
A - Excellent. It represents exceptionally high achievement as a result of aptitude, effort, and intellectual initiative. Four quality points per semester credit hour are received.
B - Good. It represents a high achievement as a result of ability and effort. Three quality points per semester credit hour are received.
C - Average. It represents average achievement. Two quality points per semester credit hour are received.
D - Poor. It represents the minimum passing grade (not for courses in which the students must receive a "C" or above). One quality point per semester credit hour is received.
F - Failure. It represents failure of a course taken either for a letter grade or on a pass-fail basis. No quality points are received.
P - Pass or proficient. It represents a passing grade in a course taken of a pass-fail basis. It is not included in the grade-point average.
I - Incomplete. It means that part of the regularly assigned work of the course has not been completed; i.e. the final examination, one major examination, completion of a term paper or class project, or part of the requirements of a laboratory. A grade of "I" may not be assigned as a substitute for "D" or "F". An incomplete earned in any given term (summer session/semester) must be removed by the end of the eighth week of classes during the next regular academic semester; otherwise, the grade of "I" will be automatically changed to a grade of "F". When a grade of "I" is assigned, a detailed description of the work to be completed must be provided by the instructor to the Office of Academic Advising, dean, chairperson, student’s designated advisor, and student.
W - Withdrawal. This option can only be entered for students who withdraw prior to the end of the fifth full week of classes during a semester, or the second full week of classes during a summer session. It is not included in the grade-point-average.
WP - Withdrawal doing passing work. It is not included in the grade-point-average.
WF - Withdrawal doing failing work. It is not included in the grade-point-average.
AU - Audit. It is not included in the grade-point average. This grading option must be selected no later than the end of late registration and must be indicated on either the student’s registration or add/drop form.
Pass-Fail
1. The pass-fail and audit options are available for students who wish to take graduate courses for their own professional growth or personal interest. Courses taken pass-fail or for audit may not be used as part of the graduate degree requirements.
2. A grade of "P" will be given to indicate satisfactory completion of the examinations and/or experiences eligible for pass-fail credit. When the grade "P" is assigned, it is equivalent to a minimum numerical score of 70%.
3. A grade of "F" will be given to indicate unsatisfactory completion of the examinations and/or experiences eligible for pass-fail credit. The grade "F" is assigned when the numerical grade is below 70%.
WP or WF
1. If a student withdraws from a course after the end of the fifth full week of classes during a semester, but before the end of the tenth full week of classes, he/she will receive a grade of "WP" or "WF" in that course.
2. If a student withdraws from a course before one-third of the instructional days have elapsed during a summer session or short course, a grade of "W" will appear on the student’s transcript.
3. If a student withdraws from a course after one-third of the instructional days have elapsed during a summer session or short course but before two-thirds of the instructional days have elapsed, a grade of "WP" or "WF" will appear on the student’s transcript.
The grading scale is as follows:
More detailed information about student evaluation can be obtained from specific course syllabi. A student’s academic grade record is expressed as a grade-point average computed by multiplying the semester hours of credit for each course by the quality point value of the grade received in the course. These products are added together, and the sum is divided by the total number of semester credit hours attempted.
See Section XIII.F. of the University Catalogue.
The University faculty have the right to expect students to adhere to the principles of academic integrity. These principles require students to present as theirs, only academic work for which they are actually responsible for.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Depending upon the seriousness of the infraction, students found guilty of plagiarizing or cheating will be sanctioned in any of several ways. These range from receiving a failing grade on the assignment, to being assigned a failing grade in the course, to being dismissed from the Program.
For a full description of what is considered plagiarism and cheating, refer to the section entitled Academic Offenses in the Kentucky State University Student Handbook.
When students have completed 12 or more semester credit hours of graduate course work with a grade-point-average of less than 3.0, they will be placed on scholastic probation. Students will have one full-time semester or the equivalent (9 semester credit hours) to remove the scholastic probation by attaining a 3.0 average.
If probation is not removed, students will be dismissed from the Program. Students who have been dismissed from the Program for this reason may apply for readmission after one semester. Readmitted students will have one full-time semester or the equivalent (9 semester credit hours) to remove the scholastic probation by attaining a 3.0 average. Students placed on scholastic probation are not eligible for assistantships.
Enrollment be terminated for the following reasons:
Admission to candidacy is a function of the Program’s consideration of the student’s potential for matriculation in the Program based on his/her performance at the graduate level, and represents a stage beyond admission to the Aquaculture/Aquatic Sciences Graduate Program. Students must be admitted to candidacy to be considered eligible for the master’s degree. A copy of the admission to candidacy application for the student shall be submitted by his/her advisor to be approved by the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator and Division of Mathematics and Sciences Chairperson as soon as possible. Admission to candidacy must be approved no later than the third week of the semester in which the student is enrolled in any of the last 12 semester credit hours of his/her degree program. To accomplish this, the required papers for admission to candidacy must be received by the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator prior to the student’s registration in any of the last 12 semester credit hours of the degree program. A student will not be eligible to graduate in the same semester the student is admitted to candidacy, unless that student is completing the program within two consecutive semesters. A permanent committee will be assigned on approval of candidacy. The permanent committee will consist of the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator, the research advisor, and one other faculty member from the Aquaculture Program or the Division of Mathematics and Sciences. Admission to candidacy must be completed prior to scheduling of the comprehensive examination(s) or thesis defense.
All conditions for clear admission to the Program and any prerequisites must have been satisfied before the candidacy application may be approved. No student shall become an approved candidate without a minimum overall and program graduate grade point average standing of 3.0. No graduate credit shall be granted for a grade below "C". Students may not repeat a course to improve standing without the explicit permission of their advisor and the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator.
When the candidacy is approved, the student is notified that he/she is a candidate for the degree program. After becoming a candidate, a student is eligible to file an application for graduation. An application for graduation must be received in the Division of Mathematics and Sciences prior to the semester in which the program completion is expected. Graduation application forms are available upon request from the Office of Records and Registration. Refer to the following section for complete details concerning applications for graduation.
A student planning to receive the master’s degree in May should apply before the end of the preceding Fall semester. Summer graduates should apply no later than the beginning of the Spring semester. December graduates should apply for graduation no later than the beginning of the Summer session. Applications should be filed in the Division of Mathematics and Sciences. Fees are to be paid to the Cashier and receipts presented to the Divisional Office (Mathematics and Sciences) at the time the applications are filed.
Students will be considered candidates for graduation only if they have an overall and program graduate grade-point-average of 3.0 or higher at the beginning of the term in which they wish to graduate.
Students who submit a thesis in partial fulfillment of the master’s must prepare it in conformity with the regulations approved by the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator. Two approval pages bearing original signatures of the graduate committee must be included with two typewritten, clear, unbound copies of the thesis and presented to the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator at least two weeks prior to the end of summer school and three weeks prior to the end of the Fall and Spring semesters. These two copies are bound and become the property of the Blazer Library. If any additional bound copies are desired by the student or the department, they should be presented directly to a commercial bindery.
Theses must be on white paper of at least 50 percent rag or cotton fiber content and must be in a form acceptable to the Aquaculture Program. Instructions for the preparation should be obtained from the Division of Mathematics and Sciences before the thesis is typed.
Theses must be developed under the direction of a full member of the Graduate Faculty.
Time Limit for Degree Completion
All program requirements must be completed within six years of initial admission, unless otherwise approved by the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator.
The Master of Science in Aquaculture/Aquatic Sciences Degree Program requires a minimum of 36 semester credit hours.
The University expects all students to attend class regularly. Students are responsible for course work covered during all class periods, including the first class meeting. 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.
All candidates shall perform satisfactorily on a written and/or oral examination of the contents of their program of studies and/or the defense of their theses. Comprehensive examinations are scheduled after the application for the degree has been filed and evidence exists indicating that the student should complete all degree requirements. Comprehensive examinations are not to be given prior to admission to candidacy, or while the student’s overall graduate grade point average is below 3.0.
Committee chairs must file the Schedule of Oral/Comprehensive Examination in the Aquaculture Research Center with copies to the student and committee members at least two weeks prior to the comprehensive examination. Committee chairs shall certify the results of the completion of the comprehensive examination to the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator no later than ten days in advance of Commencement.
A review period of not less than 60 days nor more than one year is required of candidates who fail the comprehensive examination or thesis defense initially. Additional courses or thesis work may be required of a failing student. Committee changes are not normally approved between the first taking of the comprehensive examination or thesis defense and the retake. Comprehensive examinations may not be retaken more than once for the master’s degree.
Graduate Research Assistants provide assistance for the Aquaculture Research Program. Students holding these positions work 20 hours per week and receive stipends and waivers of tuition. Assistantships are awarded on the basis of need and high academic achievement.
A student will be governed by the catalogue in force during the school year in which he/she is officially admitted to the graduate program unless he/she interrupts resident status at this institution for more than one calendar year, in which case he/she comes under the requirements of the catalogue in force at the time of readmission. A student may elect to comply with the catalogue currently in force. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Aquaculture Graduate Coordinator.
BIO 501: Survey of Production Methods (3)
Prerequisite: BIO 251 or consent of instructor. An in-depth study of alternative production methods including cages, net-pens, ponds, raceways, and recirculating systems with application to suitable species. (Three hours of lecture per week)
BIO 502: Water Quality Management (4)
Prerequisite: BIO 260 or consent of instructor. An in-depth study of the understanding and manipulation of the biological, chemical, and physical aspects of water quality in aquaculture production. (Three hours of lecture, two hours of laboratory per week)
BIO 503: Fish Physiology (4)
Prerequisite: BIO 311 or consent of instructor. A graduate approach to the study of fish morphology and physiology with emphasis on comparative and adaptive aspects among Osteichthyes (true bony fish). (Three hours of lecture, two hours of laboratory per week)
BIO 504: Fish Nutrition (4)
Prerequisite: BIO 321 or consent of instructor. A graduate approach to the study of fish nutrition including nutrient requirements, nutrient chemistry, ration formulation, and practical feeding. (Three hours of lecture, two hours of laboratory per week).
BIO 505: Fish Diseases (4)
Prerequisite: BIO 406 or consent of instructor. An in-depth study of clinical diagnosis of fish diseases; necropsy of diseased fish; and formulation of corrective measures for disease control. (Three hours of lecture, two hours of laboratory per week).
BIO 506: Internship: Aquaculture (1-4)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Intensive experience involving practical on-site participation working at an aquaculture facility (University, state, or private) for graduate students.
BIO 600: Research Aquaculture (1-9)
Laboratory or field research on approved thesis topic in Aquaculture or related Aquatic Science.
BIO 601: Thesis (3)
Preparation of research based thesis on approved topic.
Fall Hours Spring Hours
BIO 501 Surv. of Prod. Method 3 BIO 502 Water Quality Manage. 4
BIO 503 Fish Physiology 4 BIO 504 Fish Nutrition 4
7 8
Fall Hours Spring Hours
BIO 505 Fish Diseases 4 BIO 506 Internship: Aquaculture1-4
BIO 506 Internship: Aquaculture 1-4 BIO 600 Research Aquaculture 1-9
5-8 2-13
Fall Hours
BIO 601 Thesis 3
3