Aquatic Resources

Welcome to the Aquatic Resources Program at StFX! 

“AQUA” is an exciting interdisciplinary program of undergraduate study that combines science and social science learning to promote a broader understanding of WATER – oceans and freshwater | climate change | local to global – related problems and challenges, and how water issues are at the nexus of the economy, society, politics, the environment, public health, and other sectors. Students are encouraged to explore a broad range of water-related topics for building knowledge through hands-on learning, developing research skills, and opening diverse career pathways and graduate school opportunities.

Water issues are often complex and shaped by many physical, ecological, social, economic and political influences. Factors contributing to water problems can include competing demands (i.e., coastal park vs. golf course development | traditional harvesting vs. riparian or coastal development | bottling water vs. community potable water sources), pollution (i.e., land-based run-off to rivers, lakes, coastlines and seas impacting aquatic species and human uses), climate change (i.e., extreme weather [floods/droughts] impacts potable water sources and food production and harvesting | warming oceans impact biodiversity), infrastructure issues (i.e., funding shortfalls for repairs and expansion, equitable access to safe water, increasing cost of water) and the fact that solutions often create new problems and involve many different stakeholders. Despite the challenges associated with water we cannot ignore it since the well-being of all life on our Blue Planet depends on it! 

That’s where AQUA students come in. You will become part of a water learning and research community with the objective of understanding the complexity of water issues and, rather than simply identifying possible solutions, to be able to effectively communicate water knowledge and research outcomes. Now, or at some time in the future, you may be a stakeholder, policy maker, scientist, conservationist, or businessperson, who will be responsible for sustainably managing water and related resources!

The AQUA Program offers students small class sizes, with each new cohort of students forming a tightly knit group that proceeds through the program and encourages peer learning. Our students gain extensive practical experience through work terms, field- and laboratory-based learning, and involvement with diverse research programs at StFX and in local to global communities. Our hands-on approach to learning means that our graduates are eminently employable in diverse areas including government, industry, not-for-profit, and academia.

If you are considering AQUA but not yet enrolled, come and meet us in J. Bruce Brown Hall (JBB), room 335 F (Lynn – @email, @email, Tel: 902-867-3905) or room 430 (Heather – @email, Tel: 902-867-2241). 

Professor Heather Penney
Coordinator