The Aquacultural Engineering program is part of the objectives of the creation of ESPOL, which is higher education in science and research of natural phenomena and resources of the coastal region, including the territorial sea. It is of great importance as it arises as a response to the need for highly qualified professionals for the development and balance of aquaculture species cultivation, management, and restocking activities. To study the Aquacultural Engineering program, we seek curious, honest, reflective, analytical, tenacious, supportive, critically-minded students with abilities in abstraction, logic, and basic knowledge of experimental sciences and mathematics. They should be interested in research and be willing to work under pressure both autonomously and as part of interdisciplinary collaborative groups.

Mission
To train excellent Aquacultural Engineers, leaders, and entrepreneurs with strong moral and ethical values who contribute to the country's development, improving it socially, economically, environmentally, and politically. To conduct high-quality research, technology transfer, and extension services to serve society. 

Core Components of the Program
1) Aquaculture Production: Aquatic organisms; Fertilization, feeding and
nutrition; Genetics and species transfer; Integrated cropping systems;
Uses of land, water and irrigation; Production technologies and trends; biology
reproductive, seed production, incubators; Training and extension;
Water quality.
2)Health of Aquatic Organisms. Health management and diseases.
3)Sustainable Aquaculture. Economy and investments; Environmental aspects; Harvest,
processing and marketing; Information, statistics and GIS; Aspects
legal; Policies and planning; Research and methodology; Aspects
sociological and cultural.
4)Aquaculture Engineering. Facilities, equipment and engineering.

International Accreditation
The Aquaculture program is accredited with the EUR-ACE quality seal, by the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE).

* Undergraduate tuition/fees:
The Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador in its Article 356, among other principles, establishes that third-level public higher education will be tuition/fees free.  Zero cost education is linked to the academic responsibility of the students.

Number of students admitted per academic year
Number of graduates per academic year
Number of enrolled students per academic year
138 Total active students in the career

In the Aquaculture career we are looking for students with knowledge in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, who have analytical and teamwork skills; who have a sense of social responsibility, ethical and moral qualities, facility for problem solving; and interest in the culture of aquatic organisms.

Educational Objectives

Graduates of the Aquaculture career, after 3 to 5 years of graduation, will be able to:

1.Contribute to the development of aquaculture, through the management and optimization of production systems, taking existing technological references, innovating them and developing new technologies when necessary.
2.Integrate technical and scientific knowledge, with business and social management, to generate wealth and well-being, teamwork and efficiency in communication.
3.Develop an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible aquaculture, for the benefit of human beings.
4.Transfer knowledge and technology to the private, public and social and solidarity economy sectors to promote a change in the productive matrix and the improvement of the quality of life.

Student Outcomes

a.Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and aquaculture engineering.
b.Ability to design and conduct trials, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
c.Ability to design a system, component, or process related to aquaculture engineering, to meet the desired needs with realistic constraints, such as: political, economic, environmental, social, legal, ethical, health and safety, manufacturing, and sustainability.
d.Ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
e.Ability to identify, formulate and solve aquaculture engineering problems.
f.Ability to understand ethical and professional responsibility. 
1.Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish.
2.Ability to communicate in English.
g.The broad education necessary to understand the impact of aquaculture engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and social context.
h.Recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning.to. Ability to learn about contemporary issues.
i.Recognition of the need to undertake, and the skills to become an entrepreneur.
j.Ability to use modern techniques, skills and tools, necessary for the practice of aquaculture engineering.

After 4 years of study, you will be able to:

  • Design and direct aquaculture production systems, respecting economic, environmental, social, legal, ethical, health, safety and sustainability policies.
  • Design and conduct research in different areas of the career.
  • Identify, formulate and solve Aquaculture Engineering problems.
  • Act ethically and professionally within all areas of its competence.
  • Develop Aquaculture Engineering solutions within a global and sustainable context.
  • Use techniques, skills and tools necessary for aquaculture production.

Occupational Profile

The ESPOL Aquaculture Engineer will be able to design, produce and implement sustainable measures in the area of farming aquatic organisms, as well as perform the profession for the benefit of the country in a responsible manner, with ethical awareness and solidarity, contributing to the needs of local, national and international development. In this sense, the professionals of this engineering will be able to work in the following environments:

  • Management, supervision and administration of aquaculture production systems for fish, molluscs, crustaceans, algae and others.
  • Management, supervision and administration of crops in the open sea (mariculture).
  • Technical advice and aquaculture services.
  • Applied research.
  • Completion of curricular mesh.
  • Degree work (Integrative Subject)
  • Pre-professional internships (240 hours) and liaison (160 hours)
  • Delivery of personal documentation to STA (Academic Technical Secretary)

The Capstone Project is a culminating requirement for graduation. These projects provide students with the experience of applying acquired knowledge and skills to the needs of society, with a focus on sustainability.
The IDEAR Fair showcases all Capstone projects, offering students a valuable opportunity to showcase their work and hone soft skills such as communication and teamwork. It is also a space for students to network with potential clients and future employers.
Explore all of the Capstone projects completed by the Aquaculture Enginnering program.