Marine Affairs Program

Faculty of Science

Master of Fisheries Science

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Coming Soon!

The Master of Fisheries Science is an exciting new interdisciplinary program that ±«Óãtv's Faculty of Science is set to launch in September 2026 (pending MPHEC approval). The program was designed by ±«Óãtv's Departments of Biology and Mathematics and Statistics in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada Maritimes Region, and is being administered by the Marine Affairs Program.

This professional master's degree is designed for recent graduates or early-career professionals seeking advanced, applied training in fisheries science and management. Graduates will be prepared for careers in government agencies, Indigenous, local or international fisheries organizations, consulting, non-government organizations, industry, or further doctoral study. The program is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Canada’s East Coast, with field components across Atlantic Canada.

Program Highlights

This will be a 16-month, course-based master’s program designed to build the next generation of fisheries scientists and managers. The MFSc is designed to fill critical capacity gaps in fisheries science in Canada and around the world. Graduates will be equipped with not only technical skills and practical experience, but also a professional network of experts and the societal understanding needed to make a future impact in a career in fisheries.

The program is structured to develop skills and abilities in five key areas with an emphasis on real-world application:

  1. stock assessment
  2. statistics and data science
  3. fisheries biology
  4. society and management
  5. communications.

Courses will be delivered through a combination of classroom lectures, intensive field courses, applied projects, and engagement with fisheries professionals. Students will learn in a close-knit cohort with strong mentorship from faculty and practitioners.

Master of Fisheries Science Program Structure

Fall Term

 BIOL 5001 - Theoretical Population Dynamics (NEW!)
STAT 5130 - Bayesian Statistics
OCEA 5140 - Biological Oceanography
Weekly Seminar Series: Advanced topics in fisheries management
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Winter Term

 MFSC 5004 - Quantitative Methods in Fisheries Science (NEW!)
CSCI 6406 - Data Visualization
MARA 5589 - Politics of the Sea
Weekly Seminar Series: Advanced topics in fisheries management
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Summer TermÌý

 MFSC 5005 - Fisheries Management Skills Development in Cape Breton, June 15-23, 2027. (NEW!)
MFSC 5006 - Huntsman Field Course (+ Advanced Population Dynamic), July 5-9, 2027. (NEW!)
MFSC 5007 - Capstone Project (NEW!)
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Fall Term

 MFSC 5008 - Quantitative Methods in Fisheries Science II (NEW!)
MARA/ENVI 5021 - Fisheries Management
MARA 5007 - Capstone Project (NEW!)
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Students will gain hands-on experience through applied coursework, fieldwork, and engagement with professionals from government, industry, Indigenous organizations, and non-government organizations. The program is built on interdisciplinarity and will prepare graduates to work across ecological, social, and policy dimensions of fisheries systems.

We envision our graduates as having the following:

  • Knowledge:Ìýfisheries stock assessment and population models, statistical and computational methods, biological and ecological theory, fieldwork and data management practices, and governance, Indigenous rights, and socio-economic contexts shaping Canadian and global fisheries.
  • Skills:Ìýadvanced skills in coding, statistical modelling, and stock assessment, field survey design and implementation, species identification, and communication of complex scientific information to diverse audiences.
  • Abilities:Ìýstrong critical thinking, teamwork, resilience, evaluation of underlying assumptions, and solving complex research and management problems.

Stay Informed

Express your interest to receive program updates, application timelines, and information sessions by emailing mfsc@dal.ca.