Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (FAS)

Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Fishweb Site Map How to Find Us. Map and Driving Directions

General Information

Welcome to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (FAS) at the University of Florida. Established in 1984, FAS is one of the newest and active institutes for aquatic research in the southeastern United States.

Conducted under the administration of UF/IFAS, The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, our primary research areas of aquaculture; aquatic animal health, conservation and management of aquatic environments; and sustainable fisheries provide a wide range of educational and research opportunities including:

Research team samples fish and aquatic plants on Florida'a Wekiva River

algal physiology and ecology lake and reservoir management

aquaculture limnology

aquatic animal health marine and estuarine ecology

aquatic plant science and management microbiology

behavioral ecology molluscan biology

benthic macro-invertebrate ecology paleolimnology

crustacean biology phycology

endocrinolgy population genetics

fish and shellfish genetics reef biology and ecology

fish and shellfish reproduction river ecology

fish biology and ecology water chemistry

fish health management water quality

While never forgetting that we are the Land Grant University for Florida - serving as a bridge between research and the applied sciences this department enjoys a reputation for academic excellence. The diversity and high caliber of FAS faculty, staff, and students plays a major role in both our academic success, as well as our ability to apply pure research to real world experiences. Our ability to excel in both arenas sets us apart from other strictly academic institutions.

This department's ability to offer a rich diversity of research opportunities is also due to our ideal geographical location. Conveniently situated between Florida's Atlantic and Gulf coasts, our core departmental facility is within easy striking distance of a myriad of aquatic environments from subtropical reef and estuarine environments of the Florida Keys to pristine fresh water springs, rivers, and lakes in the temperate area of the state (central, north central and northwest Florida).

If you are a prospective student: Before you decide where to pursue your academic goals in the aquatic sciences, we encourage you to spend time with this website (http://fishweb.ifas.ufl.edu). These materials will acquaint you with the broad range of research, education, and outreach that FAS provides, as well as the people that make it happen.

Our department's academic program offers three degree programs:

(Click on the red balls for more information about our Department)

Undergraduate Study

Master of Science (MS)

Non-thesis Master of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (MFAS)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Examining the seine haul in
Field Biology of Fishes

Want to know more about our department?

Background And History		A description of the department's beginnings, its development and direction.
FAS Programs Special Programs Facilities		Detailed information about the programs offered by the department, including educational resources, equipment and facilities information. Go to "Special Programs" for information about Florida LAKEWATCH (statewide lake monitoring program) and Fishing for Success (youth fishing).
Faculty Chair		Listing of faculty members with links to biographies of each faculty member and his/her work Dr. Karl E. Havens (khavens@ifas.ufl.edu)
Staff		Listing of department staff (other than faculty), including affiliated agency staff (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) and staff at the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory.
Courses		Listing and description of courses taught by the faculty of FAS
Publications		Information about department publications, including journal articles, reports, books. Click here for list and links to extension publications.
Directories (Contact Information)		Phone numbers and e-mail addresses for faculty, staff and graduate student in the department.
Extension/Outreach		List of extension faculty who can answer your questions about fisheries, aquaculture, fish health, pond management.
About Gainesville		Information about the community of Gainesville, Florida
Graduate Students		A listing of current graduate students and their major professors with links to information about their research and interests.