Marine Exploration Reporting Course
This course teaches you to tell the story of ocean science and exploration with journalistic rigor and strong visual narrative. You will learn to find the angle of a story, research and verify it, plan production around a maritime operation, work on board as a reporter, record audio, photographs and video in demanding conditions, read marine science and oceanographic data correctly, avoid misinformation, and edit and distribute a complete exploration report across digital channels.
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 Marine Exploration Reporting Course?
This short course prepares you to produce reports, articles and multimedia pieces about marine exploration, marine life, conservation and scientific discovery. You will study the landscape of ocean exploration and its newsworthy opportunities, the editorial angle and story design, production planning with permits and access to vessels and equipment, life and work on board, systematic observation and interviewing at sea, audio and visual recording in motion, the visual language of exploration, documentary photography, report video, an introduction to underwater imaging, sound as a narrative thread, interpretation and visualization of ocean data, and final editing, post-production and multichannel publishing.
What sets this course apart: a journalistic approach built on verification, with primary sources, expert review and protection against sensationalism and cherry-picking; practical field techniques adapted to the realities of a ship, from engine noise to salt spray; an honest introduction to underwater imaging and its real limitations; ocean literacy that helps you read methods, uncertainty and causality correctly; and a final project in which you produce, edit and package a complete marine exploration report.
Program highlights
- Editorial angle: narrative premise, audience, public value and story arc of discovery.
- Fieldwork at sea: working on board, systematic observation and verifiable testimony.
- Visual production: documentary photography, report video and an introduction to underwater imaging.
- Sound as narrative: recording in wind, vibration and engine noise.
- Ocean data and evidence: interpretation, honest visualization and fighting misinformation.
- Final project: a complete marine exploration report edited and distributed across channels.
Syllabus of the Marine Exploration Reporting Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Marine exploration journalism, narrative approach and editorial preparation of missions at sea
- 1.1. The landscape of marine exploration: science, industry, conservation and newsworthy opportunities assessed for relevance
- 1.2. Defining the journalistic angle: narrative premise, audience, public value and editorial differentiation
- 1.3. Prior research and verification: primary sources, technical literature, open data and robust cross-checking
- 1.4. Designing the story: structure, scenes, characters, narrative tension and the arc of discovery
- 1.5. Production planning: schedule, permits, access to vessels and equipment and coordination with the maritime operation
Field techniques in the marine environment: observation, interviewing and recording in operational conditions
- 2.1. Working on board: roles, hierarchy, routines, hazardous areas and adapting to the vessel's protocols
- 2.2. Systematic observation: note-taking, recording facts, controlling bias and building narrative evidence
- 2.3. Interviews at sea: script preparation, active listening, technical questions and obtaining verifiable testimony
- 2.4. Recording audio in adverse conditions: wind, vibration, engine noise and practical capture solutions
- 2.5. Visual recording in motion: framing, stability, light, water and salt spray and equipment safety
Audiovisual production of marine reports: photography, video, sound and underwater visual narrative
- 3.1. The visual language of exploration: shots, pace, continuity and building atmosphere at sea
- 3.2. Marine documentary photography: storytelling in series, technical details, crew portraits and operational scenes
- 3.3. Report video: planning by sequences, technical B-roll, interviews and narrative continuity
- 3.4. Introduction to underwater imaging: housings, buoyancy, lighting, turbidity and the real limits of capture
- 3.5. Sound as a narrative thread: ambience, effects, voice, music where appropriate and audio consistency
Data, science and evidence in marine reporting: interpretation, visualization and ocean literacy
- 4.1. Reading marine science as a journalist: methods, uncertainty, correlation versus causation and study limitations
- 4.2. Interpreting oceanographic data: time series, maps, profiles and measurement context
- 4.3. Validating technical claims: triangulating sources, expert review and error control
- 4.4. Information visualization: charts, maps, infographics and data storytelling without distortion
- 4.5. Risks of misinformation: common myths, sensationalism, cherry-picking and a responsible response
Editing, multichannel distribution and final project: a complete marine exploration report
- 5.1. Narrative editing: final structure, scene selection, pace, authorial voice and coherence of the story
- 5.2. Audiovisual post-production: editing, color, audio clean-up, subtitles and final quality control
- 5.3. Digital publishing: editorial SEO, headlines, descriptions, chapters and packaging for discovery
- 5.4. Distribution on social media and community: clips, carousels, explanatory threads, moderation and feedback management
- 5.5. Monetization and partnerships where applicable: sponsorship, media kit, responsible branded content and impact metrics
Duration and format of the Marine Exploration Reporting Course
It is 300 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 Marine Exploration Reporting Course
Career opportunities after the Marine Exploration Reporting Course
Questions about the Marine Exploration Reporting Course
To report the discoveries and findings of marine expeditions accurately, sharing knowledge about the ocean and raising awareness of its importance.
No. The course introduces underwater imaging and its limitations, but most of the work focuses on reporting on board, on land and with data; diving skills are an advantage, not a requirement.
It is not essential. You can complete the exercises with accessible equipment and basic editing software; having your own camera simply gives you more options.
A full module is devoted to reading marine science, interpreting oceanographic data, validating claims with experts and avoiding sensationalism and cherry-picking.
You produce a complete marine exploration report, from angle and research to editing, post-production and a distribution plan for digital channels.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded, discussion forums and personalized tutorials to support your reporting project.
The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at journalists and science communicators, marine biologists and oceanographers who want to reach wider audiences, underwater photographers and videographers, communication managers at marine institutions, and students of journalism and marine science; a background in marine science or audiovisual communication, or proven experience in audiovisual production, science journalism or marine exploration, 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 basic video and audio editing software; your own photo or video equipment is desirable but not essential.
- 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.