Undergraduate Opportunities

The Aquaculture and Aquarium Science (AQS) Major

The Aquaculture and Aquarium Science (AQS) major at Roger Williams University (RWU) operates through the Center for Economic and Environmental Development (CEED). As a major, AQS offers undergraduate students the unique opportunity to engage in hands-on, applied coursework and research covering many aspects of aquaculture, including systems design, culture of marine ornamental species, animal nutrition, and diagnoses and treatments of diseases in aquatic organisms.

Fellowships and Internships

CEED plays an important role in providing research opportunities for our undergraduate students. For more information about undergraduate research opportunities, click here.  In addition to conducting independent research with CEED faculty and staff for academic credit, our students have the opportunity to apply for the following fellowships and internship opportunities.

CEED Scholarship

Each year the MNS faculty at RWU award research grants to undergraduate students to carry out independent research. Working with a faculty mentor, students write a research proposal, including a budget, which is then evaluated by a committee on a competitive basis. Funds are normally awarded twice a year (Fall and Spring semesters) for use in the following semester (Spring awards can be accessed over the Summer as well). Students participating in funded research efforts also submit a progress report and a final report, detailing the results of their investigation. As a condition of receiving these grants, students present the results of their research, either as an internal or external presentation. Some of these research projects may also result in student publications.

Mark Gould Memorial Research Scholarship

This fund provides students with a stipend to conduct independent research in marine biology, biology, or chemistry during the summer and is awarded to some students each summer. Applicants must be full- time marine biology, biology, or chemistry majors in good academic standing. Students must have completed at least their freshman year. The fund was established in memory of Mark Gould, long-time Professor of Biology and Director of the Center for Economic and Environmental Development at Roger Williams University.

Internships

We encourage students to participate in internships that are relevant to their course of study. These opportunities provide valuable experience and can often lead to advanced study or careers. The university allows a great deal of flexibility for arranging internships for credit - these can be during the school year, or summer. Students can discuss these opportunities with the faculty advisors.

CEED has a cooperative agreement with the New England Aquarium (NEAq) in which students work in Boston, MA or at the NEAq holding facility in Quincy, MA. Internships at NEAq offer college students experience in areas ranging from veterinary services and animal husbandry to communications and program development. A similar internship opportunity is under development with the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, MA.