AQUAVET® I and II - Information for 2026

AQUAVET^® Background Information

Need for trained veterinary professionals
- contribute to the health/welfare of aquatic animals and their environment
- Began in the spring of 1977
Historically sponsored by
- University of Pennsylvania
- Cornell University

AQUAVET^® Course Information

Four opportunities
- AQUAVET^®I
  - Introduction to Aquatic Veterinary Medicine
  - 4 week course
- AQUAVET^® II
  - Comparative Pathology of Aquatic Animals
  - 2 week course
- AQUAVET^® Summer fellowship
  - Usual Location: Fish Diagnostics Lab at Cornell
  - Usual Topic: a selected fish viral disease
  - Duration: 8 weeks

Logistics – AQUAVET^® I & II

Roger Williams University - Bristol, RI
- Classrooms and labs
- Library
Tuition covers course work, housing and most meals
Housing – suites with kitchen and 2 bedrooms
- 4 students per suite
- roommate
- no pets
Meals – cafeteria meal plan
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- 5-10 stations

COURSES at RWU

AQUAVET^® I: An Introduction to Aquatic Veterinary Medicine

4 weeks: total immersion course

25 May to 21 June 2026

22-24 Students

Approx. 46 invited faculty

AQUAVET^® II: Comparative Pathology of Aquatic Animals

2 weeks: total immersion course

25 May to 7 June 2026

12-18 students

Approx. 15 invited faculty

AQUAVET^® I - Introduction to Aquatic Veterinary Medicine

Four weeks – begins May 25 and ends June 21
Classes routinely five and one half days a week (and most evenings)
- Water Quality
- Invertebrates to marine mammals
- Lectures and laboratory sessions
- Student seminars
- Field trips

Invertebrates to marine mammals

Aquatic invertebrates
- Fish
- Amphibians and Reptiles
- Sea Turtles
- Aquatic Birds
- Marine Mammals

Field trips
- Intertidal Invertebrate Collecting
- Mystic Aquarium
- New England Aquarium
- Atlantis Marine World
- Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation
- WHOI (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute)

Tuition for Students - $3,500
- Less $200 from anonymous donor = $3,200
- Includes
  - Tuition
  - Room and board (almost all meals) - 4 weeks
Required to attend class
- Foundation covering 2/3 of cost
- Credit Available – depending on school
- Evaluation based on
  - Participation in all aspects of the course
  - Especially student seminars

AQUAVET^® I Cost Comparisons

Tuition - $3,500 - $200 = $3,200
- Compare:
- AQUAVET^®I – 4 weeks
  - about $825/week - Includes
  - Tuition
  - Room and board
- MarVet – 1-2 weeks
  - About $1,500/week
  - Includes only some meals
- SeaVet – about $575 for 10 days
  - About $400/week
  - Includes only some meals
  - Doesn’t include housing

Classes
- routinely 5.5-6 days a week
- (and most evenings)
- Required to Attend Class
- 8 am to noon
- 1 pm to 5 pm
- 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm or later

AQUAVET^® I Student Seminars

Student seminars required
- 25-30 minute
- PowerPoint
- Topics
  - Invertebrates to marine mammals
  - Marine plants
  - Ecology
- prepare early

AQUAVET^® II - Comparative Pathology of Aquatic Animals

Prerequisites: AQUAVET^® I or equivalent
Two Weeks – May 25 to June 7, 2026
Classes 5.5-6 days a week and most evenings
Lectures, slide review, and occasional wet labs
- Primarily Fish and Invertebrates
- Comparative Anatomy
- Parasites
- Bacterial, Viral and Fungal Diseases
- Toxicology
- Histopathology

Student Tuition - $2,010
- Includes course instruction and room and board
- Required to Attend Classes
- Foundation covering 2/3 of cost
Course Credit possible
- Depends on school requirements
Evaluation
- Based on class participation

AQUAVET^® Summer Fellowship