Bachelor of Science (Honours) Aquatic Science

Program Overview

Explore the depths. Safeguard the future. Power the blue economy.

Water is life — covering over 70% of our planet, sustaining vast ecosystems and fuelling industries and livelihoods across the globe. With UCSI University’s BSc (Hons) Aquatic Science, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to champion the sustainable use of aquatic resources in support of the world’s growing blue economy.

This future-focused programme empowers you to tackle global water challenges — from marine biodiversity loss and aquatic pollution to food security and climate resilience. You'll learn how to monitor fragile ecosystems, manage aquatic health and contribute to sustainable aquaculture and seafood systems. Whether you're working in conservation, research, policy or innovation, you’ll be part of a new wave of scientists shaping the future of our planet’s most vital resource.

The BSc (Hons) Aquatic Science at UCSI University is a multidisciplinary programme designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of aquatic environments, aquatic organism health and sustainable resource management. You’ll begin with a strong scientific foundation in analytical chemistry, microbiology, structural chemistry and biostatistics — essential tools for understanding complex aquatic systems.

As you progress, you’ll explore core topics such as aquatic biodiversity and taxonomy, water quality and environmental monitoring, aquatic toxicology, ecosystem-based management and sustainable aquaculture practices. These are complemented by studies in aquatic pollution, natural resource governance and the impacts of modernisation on fragile ecosystems.

Hands-on learning is at the heart of the programme. You’ll participate in lab-based experiments, fieldwork in rivers, lakes and coastal areas and cooperative placements in aquaculture farms, environmental agencies or seafood companies. A capstone research project will deepen your expertise in an area of your choice, such as bioindicators, ecosystem restoration or fish pathology.

Assessment methods are designed to nurture scientific, technical and applied competencies. These include written exams, lab reports, fieldwork documentation, oral presentations, problem-solving case studies and a final-year research project — giving you the confidence to work independently and collaboratively in diverse aquatic contexts.

Graduates of this programme are prepared for careers in aquatic environmental management, marine conservation, aquaculture and hatchery operations, water quality assessment, seafood safety regulation, R&D and policy advisory roles in governmental and non-governmental sectors. Many also pursue postgraduate study in environmental science or aquatic biotechnology or our MSc Biotechnology with Business Management.

Key Modules

1Effective Speaking

2Effective Writing

3Biology

4Chemistry 1

5Chemistry 2

6Microbiology

7Structural Biochemistry

8Analytical Chemistry

9Fundamentals of Management

10Extra-curricular Learning Experience 1

11Co-Operative Placement 1

12Selective Breeding in Aquaculture

13Religions in Malaysia/Business Law – Malaysian Perspective

14Aquatic Biodiversity and Taxonomy

15Current Topics in Aquatic Science

16Ecology and Sustainability

17Business Communication

18Aquaculture Operation and System

19Entrepreneurship for Applied Science

20Aquatic Pollution and Toxicology

21Statistics and its Applications

22Research Methodology, Safety and Ethics

23Extra-curricular Learning Experience 2

24Co-Operative Placement 2

25MPU (select one)

26Malaysian Ethnic Food

27Aquatic Health and Management

28Aquatic Science Research Project 1

29Conservation and Management of Aquatic Resources

30Molecular Cell Biology

31Recombinant Technology

32Aquatic Science Research Project 2

33Water and Wastewater Engineering

34Tools for Aquatic Resource Management

35Aquatic Diseases and Diagnostics

36Aquatic Science Research Project 3

37Co-Operative Placement 3

38Free elective (select 2)

39Strategic Management

40Seafood Industry

41Introduction to Internet Technologies

42Operation Management (Choose either Aquatic Health and Management or Seafood Processing and Safety)

43Seafood Processing and Safety

44Extra-curricular Learning Experience 3

45Halal and Food Legislation

46Food Chemistry

47Food Microbiology

48Food Processing and Packaging

49Food Safety and Quality Systems

50Product Development and Sensory Evaluation

51Introductory Accounting

52Internet in Practice

53Operation Management

54Appreciation of Ethics and Civilisations (Penghayatan Etika and Peradaban)

55Philosophy and Contemporary Issues (Falsafah dan Isu Semasa)

56Philosophy and Contemporary Issues

57Communication in Bahasa Melayu 3 (Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 3)

58Examples of research areas:

59Microplastics in Malaysian freshwater fish: Detection, accumulation and human health risk.

60Mapping mangrove health with GIS and carbon stocks in Klang Straits.

61Assessing climate resilience in coastal aquatic ecosystems using environmental DNA (eDNA).

Entry Requirements

UCSI Foundation in Science or equivalent in Malaysia

Minimum CGPA 2.00

National Matriculation

Minimum CGPA 2.80, inclusive of:

Chemistry / Mathematics / Physics (any one)

Minimum CGPA 2.00, inclusive of Grade Cs in:

Minimum Grade B in five (5) subjects, inclusive of:

Minimum Grade D in any two (2) of these subjects:

Australian High/Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12) - SAM/AUSMAT/ SACE/ TEE/ NTCE/WACE

Minimum ATAR 60% or minimum 60% average five (5) subjects inclusive of:

Canadian Grade 12 – CPU/CIMP

Minimum average of 60% in 6 subjects inclusive of:

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Minimum score of 26/42 from six (6) subjects, inclusive of:

Diploma/Advanced Diploma in related field

Minimum CGPA 2.00, inclusive of:

Other qualifications recognized by the Malaysian government

Admission: Case by case basis

Academic Requirements

English Language Requirements

For Local Students

SPM English language

English language 1119/O-Level English/IGCSE

UEC English Language

In the event that the English language requirements are not met, applicants will be required to take the Basic English and English Foundation for in-sessional academic enhancement concurrently with the programme.

For International Students

Cambridge Linguaskill

Cambridge English Qualifications and Tests

Minimum score of 160

Pearson Test of English

Certified Intensive English Programme (CIEP) by ELS

Minimum score of 106

International applicants who do not meet the respective academic programme’s English Language Requirement will need to improve their proficiency by enrolling into the English for Tertiary Education programme (R/KJP/00920-00929) which helps them prepare for attaining a required band score. Placement into the various levels of the English for Tertiary Education programme depends on the English Language qualification students have at the point of admission and/or the outcome of the English Placement Test. Exemptions from the University English Language requirements can be granted if the following corresponding requirements are fulfilled: i. Internal transfer applicants who have already fulfilled the University English Language requirements. ii. Applicants who have an academic qualification from a higher learning institution which uses the English Language as a medium of instruction. The applicants who have met the respective academic programme’s English Language Requirements may be advised by the Faculty to improve their proficiency by undertaking the additional English proficiency courses.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Aquatic Science

Program Overview

Key Modules

Entry Requirements

Career Prospects

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