Supporting Fisheries Undergraduate Education with Realistic Laboratory Exercises and Research Experience

The financial support U.S. institutions of higher education receive from non-tuition sources for undergraduate programs has been declining, and therefore, many institutions have sought to streamline their programs to reduce expenses while simultaneously raising tuition. One aspect of undergraduate programs often targeted for reduction is the inclusion of various “hands-on” exercises that provide students with practical experience. This, trend, when combined with the traits of the typical “millennial generation” student, raises the possibility that current and future student cohorts will lack practical experience in core areas. We argue that despite the ongoing reductions of funding and support, it is both possible and beneficial to provide undergraduates with the hands-on experiences, experiential learning, and exposure to research and management topics that enrich their education and better prepare them for entry-level positions or graduate school. We describe a multi-tiered approach for doing so, and include examples from successful programs at two institutions