Professional Diploma in Underwater Camera and Sensor Systems
This professional diploma introduces you to the technologies used to capture images and data beneath the surface. You will learn how light behaves in water, how underwater cameras, lighting and oceanographic, acoustic and positioning sensors work, how they are integrated on ROVs, AUVs, buoys and fixed stations, and how the images and data they record are processed and analyzed for inspection, research, aquaculture, archaeology and offshore work.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Professional Diploma in Underwater Camera and Sensor Systems?
This professional diploma prepares you to select, deploy, operate and maintain underwater camera and sensor systems and to turn what they record into useful information. You will study underwater optics, color absorption and lighting, camera configuration and mounting, environmental, acoustic, navigation and inspection sensors, calibration and drift, communications, power and pressure housings, image processing, photogrammetry and artificial intelligence, and the planning, safety and maintenance of field campaigns.
What sets this professional diploma apart: an integrated view that combines visual capture, environmental measurement, data transmission and safe operation; solid grounding in the physics of light in water and in sensor calibration; a system architecture approach covering platforms, communications, power and housings; data workflows from capture to dashboards, GIS and AI; applications in inspection, research, aquaculture, archaeology and port security; and a final project in which you design a complete underwater observation system.
Program highlights
- Integrated view: visual capture, environmental measurement and data transmission.
- Underwater optics: color absorption, lighting and image configuration.
- Sensors: oceanographic, acoustic, navigation and inspection sensors with calibration.
- System architecture: platforms, communications, power and pressure housings.
- Data workflows: image processing, photogrammetry, GIS and artificial intelligence.
- Final project: design of a complete underwater observation system.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Underwater Camera and Sensor Systems
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of underwater observation, imaging and ocean sensors
- 1.1. Fundamental concepts of underwater camera and sensor systems applied to inspection, research, environmental monitoring and maritime operations
- 1.2. Differences between underwater cameras, oceanographic sensors, acoustic systems, remote platforms and fixed observation networks
- 1.3. Characteristics of the underwater environment: pressure, salinity, temperature, low visibility, turbidity, corrosion and communication limits
- 1.4. Applications in underwater archaeology, marine biology, aquaculture, offshore, ports, security, underwater robotics and infrastructure inspection
- 1.5. Main components: pressure housings, optics, lighting, cables, connectors, batteries, data loggers and control units
- 1.6. Selection criteria by depth, autonomy, resolution, accuracy, robustness, maintenance and operational objective
- 1.7. An integrated view of underwater systems as a combination of visual capture, environmental measurement, data transmission and safe operation
- 1.8. Regulations and good practice in underwater observation campaigns
Underwater cameras, lighting, optics and image capture
- 2.1. Types of underwater cameras: compact, professional, ROV cameras, fixed cameras, 360-degree cameras, special thermal cameras and low-light systems
- 2.2. Principles of underwater optics: color absorption, scattering, refraction, visibility distance, focus and housing distortion
- 2.3. Underwater lighting with LED lamps, strobes, continuous light, color temperature, power, beam angle and shadow control
- 2.4. Image configuration: resolution, frame rate, exposure, white balance, sensitivity, compression and storage
- 2.5. Mounting cameras on divers, ROVs, AUVs, buoys, aquaculture cages, fixed structures and temporary installations
- 2.6. Common problems: fogging, leaks, suspended particles, reflections, loss of color, image noise and lack of stability
- 2.7. Visual capture procedures that ensure useful, traceable images suitable for technical or scientific analysis
- 2.8. Color correction and white balance in underwater imaging
Underwater sensors, environmental measurement and oceanographic data acquisition
- 3.1. Sensors for temperature, pressure, depth, salinity, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorophyll and water quality
- 3.2. Acoustic sensors, hydrophones, sonars, echo sounders, profilers, altimeters and underwater detection systems
- 3.3. Orientation, navigation and positioning sensors: IMU, digital compasses, DVL, USBL, LBL and surface-assisted GNSS
- 3.4. Sensors for technical inspection: detection of corrosion, thickness, leaks, vibration, deformation and structural condition
- 3.5. Calibration, compensation, accuracy, drift, sampling rate and data validation in real underwater conditions
- 3.6. Integration of multiple sensors on underwater platforms with time synchronization and coordinated data logging
- 3.7. Reliable measurement systems for interpreting the underwater environment with technical, environmental and operational criteria
- 3.8. Deployment of buoys, moorings and underwater measuring stations
Underwater platforms, communications, power and system architecture
- 4.1. Integration of cameras and sensors on ROVs, AUVs, USVs, oceanographic buoys, fixed stations, port structures and deployable systems
- 4.2. Underwater communications via umbilical, acoustics, fiber optics, surface radio, surface Wi-Fi and deferred data recovery
- 4.3. Power supply through batteries, external sources, umbilicals, surface panels, consumption management and operational autonomy
- 4.4. Housings, seals, connectors, penetrators, anti-corrosion materials, pressure compensation and design for watertightness
- 4.5. Control architecture with data loggers, microcontrollers, compact PLCs, onboard computers, supervision software and telemetry
- 4.6. Thermal management, mechanical protection, buoyancy, ballast, stability, ease of recovery and field maintenance
- 4.7. Robust underwater architectures that integrate sensors, cameras, communications and power according to the type of mission
- 4.8. Real-time data transmission from underwater platforms
Image processing, data analysis and artificial intelligence applications
- 5.1. Underwater data management: naming conventions, metadata, georeferencing, synchronization, storage, backups and traceability
- 5.2. Underwater image processing: color correction, turbidity reduction, stabilization, contrast enhancement and noise removal
- 5.3. Underwater photogrammetry, orthomosaics, 3D models, object measurement, visual inspection and scientific documentation
- 5.4. Analysis of oceanographic data through time series, trends, maps, profiles, thresholds, anomalies and cross-validation
- 5.5. Artificial intelligence for detecting species, structural defects, archaeological objects, pollution, nets, cracks and environmental change
- 5.6. Dashboards, GIS, cloud platforms, digital twins and technical reports for presenting results
- 5.7. Analysis workflows that turn underwater images and data into useful information for decisions, research or maintenance
- 5.8. Management and storage of large volumes of image data
Installation, operation, maintenance, safety and underwater risk management
- 6.1. Planning installation and deployment campaigns by depth, currents, visibility, weather, logistics, permits and technical objective
- 6.2. Installation procedures with divers, ROVs, support vessels, buoys, guide lines, mounts, anchors and recovery systems
- 6.3. Operational safety for personnel, equipment and the environment: pressure, entanglement, electricity, batteries, navigation, wildlife, maritime traffic and weather
- 6.4. Preventive maintenance of housings, lenses, seals, connectors, batteries, cables, lighting, sensors and recording systems
- 6.5. Fault diagnosis: loss of signal, leaks, low autonomy, erroneous data, corrosion, biofouling, loss of calibration and mechanical damage
- 6.6. Environmental management, impact reduction, equipment recovery, waste prevention and good practice in sensitive ecosystems
- 6.7. Operating procedures that ensure continuity, safety, data quality and protection of the underwater environment
- 6.8. Periodic calibration and control of sensor drift
Professional applications in inspection, research, aquaculture, ports and maritime security
- 7.1. Inspection of hulls, propellers, keels, quays, piles, outfalls, pipelines, subsea cables and offshore infrastructure
- 7.2. Environmental monitoring of reefs, seagrass meadows, sedimentary seabeds, water quality, biodiversity and protected areas
- 7.3. Applications in aquaculture: cage surveillance, fish behavior, water quality, nets, feeding and fault detection
- 7.4. Support for underwater archaeology through visual documentation, photogrammetry, location of remains and site monitoring
- 7.5. Maritime and port security: object detection, surveillance of restricted areas, post-incident inspection and underwater search
- 7.6. Integration with predictive maintenance, asset management, emergency operations and maritime information systems
- 7.7. Solutions adapted to different sectors through the right choice of sensors, platforms and analysis criteria
- 7.8. Monitoring of critical infrastructure and subsea cables
Final project: applied underwater camera and sensor systems
- 8.1. Definition of the case: infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, aquaculture, underwater archaeology, port security or oceanographic research
- 8.2. Diagnosis of the operating environment: depth, visibility, current, temperature, salinity, accessibility, risks and data requirements
- 8.3. System design with cameras, lighting, sensors, housing, connectivity, power, deployment platform and storage
- 8.4. Plan for installation, operation, calibration, maintenance, safety and recovery of the underwater system
- 8.5. Workflow for image processing, data analysis, visualization, reporting, quality control and traceability
- 8.6. Comprehensive technical report covering architecture, costs, risks, limitations, indicators and success criteria
- 8.7. Budget, schedule and maintenance plan for the proposed system
- 8.8. Presentation and defense of the final project with technical, operational and environmental validation of the system designed
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Underwater Camera and Sensor Systems
It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Professional Diploma in Underwater Camera and Sensor Systems
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Underwater Camera and Sensor Systems
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Underwater Camera and Sensor Systems
The study and application of underwater camera and sensor systems to capture images and data in aquatic environments, and the processing of that information.
Yes. Oceanographic, acoustic, navigation, positioning and inspection sensors are covered, including calibration, drift and multi-sensor integration.
Yes. A full module deals with color correction, photogrammetry, 3D models, data analysis and artificial intelligence applied to underwater imagery.
No. Systems mounted on divers, AUVs, buoys, aquaculture cages and fixed stations are also studied.
It is helpful but not essential. Basic electronics and familiarity with the marine environment are more important.
You design a complete underwater camera and sensor system for a real case, including its deployment plan, data workflow, budget and maintenance plan.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The professional diploma comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of about 100 hours each and ends with a final project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
More programs in Underwater imaging
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at engineers and technicians who want to specialize in underwater systems, marine scientists and researchers who use cameras and sensors to observe the underwater environment, offshore professionals involved in inspection, construction or maintenance of subsea infrastructure, and students of engineering, oceanography or marine biology. A degree in electronic engineering, mechatronics, robotics, oceanography or a related field, or demonstrable experience operating or maintaining underwater equipment, together with basic knowledge of electronics, is recommended.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.