Water Quality Monitoring Course
This course gives you the essential tools and knowledge to assess and manage water quality. You will learn to design sampling plans, take and preserve representative samples, use in-situ probes and sensors, understand the main laboratory methods and interpret analytical data to identify pollutants and their sources, so you can contribute to environmental protection and public health in ports, marinas, estuaries, rivers and reservoirs.
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.
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What is the Water Quality Monitoring Course?
This short course takes you through the complete water quality monitoring cycle, from defining what to measure to turning results into decisions. You will study the concepts of water quality, its uses and suitability criteria; the key physical-chemical, chemical and microbiological parameters, from temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and salinity to nutrients, metals, hydrocarbons and emerging contaminants; how to design a sampling plan with stations, frequency and chain of custody; sampling types, field equipment, sample preservation and decontamination procedures; in-situ instrumentation such as multiparameter probes, optical sensors, fixed stations and buoys with telemetry; and the laboratory methods and analytical quality control that make results reliable.
What sets this course apart: an end-to-end approach that links sampling, field instrumentation, laboratory analysis and data interpretation; a strong focus on data representativeness, traceability and quality control, including blanks, duplicates, standards and acceptance criteria; attention to complex water bodies such as estuaries, marinas, ports, rivers and reservoirs; coverage of continuous monitoring networks alongside field campaigns; and a final project in which you design a complete monitoring system for a real case, with standard operating procedures and an improvement plan.
Program highlights
- Key parameters: physical-chemical, chemical, microbiological and emerging contaminants.
- Sampling plans: stations, frequency, representativeness and chain of custody.
- Field work: sampling types, equipment, preservation and decontamination.
- In-situ instrumentation: multiparameter probes, optical sensors, buoys and telemetry.
- Laboratory and quality control: analytical methods, standards, blanks and duplicates.
- Final project: a complete monitoring system for a real water quality case.
Syllabus of the Water Quality Monitoring Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Foundations of water quality, critical parameters and design of operational monitoring programs
- 1.1. Water quality concepts: uses, suitability criteria, natural variability and human pressures
- 1.2. Essential physical-chemical parameters: temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and salinity
- 1.3. Critical chemical parameters: nutrients, metals, hydrocarbons, residual chlorine and emerging contaminants
- 1.4. Microbiological and sanitary parameters: indicators, risks, interpretation and operational control limits
- 1.5. Designing the sampling plan: objectives, stations, frequency, representativeness and chain of custody
Sampling techniques, sample preservation and ensuring data representativeness
- 2.1. Types of sampling: grab, composite, integrated, vertical profile and continuous sampling
- 2.2. Field sampling equipment: bottles, pumps, automatic samplers and contamination-free sampling techniques
- 2.3. Sample conservation and preservation: refrigeration, fixatives, maximum holding times and prevention of degradation
- 2.4. Cleaning and decontamination procedures: blanks, control of cross-contamination and sampling materials
- 2.5. Chain of custody and traceability: labeling, records, transport and control of sample integrity
In-situ instrumentation, sensors and measurement platforms for continuous monitoring and field campaigns
- 3.1. In-situ measurement of basic parameters: multiparameter probes, calibration and operational verification
- 3.2. Sensors for nutrients and specific compounds: principles, limitations and field maintenance
- 3.3. Turbidimeters, fluorometers and optical sensors: chlorophyll, CDOM, algae and control of interferences
- 3.4. Sampling and measurement in complex water bodies: estuaries, marinas, ports, rivers and reservoirs
- 3.5. Continuous monitoring networks: fixed stations, buoys, telemetry and energy management of instruments
Laboratory analysis, analytical methods and metrological quality control of results
- 4.1. Physical-chemical analysis methods: titration, spectrophotometry, gravimetry and basic instrumental techniques
- 4.2. Analysis of nutrients and organic matter: nitrates, phosphates, ammonium, COD/BOD and interpretation criteria
- 4.3. Metals and trace contaminants: sample preparation, digestion, readings and control of interferences
- 4.4. Hydrocarbons and specific contaminants: extraction, identification and verification of results
- 4.5. Analytical quality control: calibration, standards, blanks, duplicates and acceptance criteria
Implementing a monitoring system and final project applied to a real water quality control case
- 5.1. Definition of the case study: objectives, scope, operational context and main risks
- 5.2. Integrated design of the monitoring system: sampling plan, instrumentation, laboratory and quality control
- 5.3. Standard operating procedures: sampling, calibration, chain of custody and incident management
- 5.4. Integration of results and performance assessment: indicators, trends, alerts and diagnosis of status
- 5.5. Improvement and mitigation plan: technical proposals, prioritization of actions and follow-up
Duration and format of the Water Quality Monitoring 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 Water Quality Monitoring Course
Career opportunities after the Water Quality Monitoring Course
Questions about the Water Quality Monitoring Course
To assess the state of a water body and whether it is suitable for its intended uses, identifying pollutants and their sources so that protection and management measures can be taken.
Physical-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and salinity, together with nutrients, metals, hydrocarbons, microbiological indicators and emerging contaminants.
Yes. It includes measurement in complex water bodies such as estuaries, marinas and ports, as well as rivers and reservoirs.
Because it documents how each sample was collected, preserved, transported and handled, which is essential for the results to be reliable and defensible.
You design a complete monitoring system for a real case, including the sampling plan, instrumentation, laboratory analysis, quality control, operating procedures and an improvement plan.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
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 laboratory technicians and water analysts, environmental engineers and consultants, compliance managers in industry, water resource managers and public authority staff, and students of environmental and related disciplines; a degree in biology, chemistry, environmental engineering or a related field, a technical qualification in laboratory analysis, or experience in water analysis is helpful but not essential.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, a camera and microphone, an up-to-date browser and spreadsheet or statistical software for data analysis.
- 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.