A Brief History of Aquatic Science Faculty

Marine and freshwater research in our country goes back until 1930s. Mustafa Kemal ATATURK instructed to identify species in our marine environment, develop scientific fishing techniques and purchase of necessary equipment to operate scientific vessel in his article number 10746 on 2 March 1931. Hereby, first academic research has started.

Scientific studies continued over time and Istanbul University Hydrobiology Institute was founded with efforts of Ord. Prof. Dr. KOSSWIG in 1951. Important research was conducted in the Institute on both freshwater and marine aquatic sciences from foundation to closing of the Institute in 1982. After closing of the Institute, library, some laboratory equipment, significant number of biological material and other fisheries collection of the Institute were transferred to Faculty of Aquatic Sciences (formerly Fisheries Junior College) which was founded in 1982. Most of the academic personnel and technicians of the Hydrobiology institute joined to the Faculty of Aquatic Sciences.

Our faculty was founded in 1982 with the law which was published in Official Journal  (number: 7760) as Fisheries Junior College and started education in 1983. lt turned into Fisheries Faculty under the law which was published in Official Journal (number: 21281, date: 1.7.1992). Afterwards, the name of the faculty turned into "Faculty of Aquatic Sciences" and name of the programme turned into "Aquatic Sciences and Engineering" in accordance with the faculty education and studies with decree of Council of Ministers (Official Journal number: 30113).

Faculty of Aquatic Sciences aroused from 40 years of academic accumulation and gains of Hydrobiology Institute. According to foundation aims of our faculty, it graduates Aquatic Sciences Engineers and equip them with determination of aquatic flora and fauna species diversity, monitoring of biological and other water quality parameters in drinking water reservoirs, lakes, wetlands and marines, sustainable management and modelling of aquatic resources, developing ‘new products’ of processed sea foods using biotechnological tools, production of several fish and invertebrate species with environmentally friendly applications and let them reach to consumers, health, quality, hygiene of aquatic organisms, diagnostics of diseases and treatment of aquatic organisms.

Our faculty graduated first students in 1988 according to this aim. Today, along with “Aquatic Sciences and Engineering” undergraduate program, our faculty contains six master’s and six doctoral programs. Our faculty is located in Istanbul University Beyazıt Campus. Currently, 350 students enrolled in undergraduate program, 64 students enrolled in master’s program, and 47 students enrolled in doctoral program. Of our graduate students, 13 are foreigners. Total number of academic personnel working in our faculty is 64 (15 professor, 13 associate professor, 13 assistant professor, 18 research and teaching assistants, 4 specialist, and 1 foreign academician). Total number of administrative staff in our faculty is 74 (31 in faculty, 28 in Sapanca Research Unit, 8 in Gökçeada Research Unit, 8 in R/V Yunus-S research vessel).

Our laboratories, which are equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, can compete with distinguished institutes. Our faculty conducts a great number of national and international research projects funded by different agencies thanks to our qualified scientists and laboratory infrastructure. This research is published in national and international journals. 

Faculty of Aquatic Sciences is proud to take its place in respectable academic institues in the world.

​Aims

To organize current education program according to up-to-date national and international needs.

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Objectives

Development of education programs according to public and private sector needs; to convey quality of education to international level; keep communication with alumni after graduation; Developing cooperation with industry.

Main Values and Principles in Education

• Scientificity, ethical approach, quality, promoting interdisciplinary learning
• To share produced knowledge with the society, to mind social sensitivity and beneficialness
• Respect to the environment, organisms and people, Life-long learning

Aims and Objectives of Education

• Aims: To organize current education program according to up-to-date national and international needs.
• Objectives: Development of education programs according to public and private sector needs; to convey quality of education to international level; keep communication with alumni after graduation; Developing cooperation with industry.