Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Ocean Trench Biodiversity Course

This course introduces you to the biodiversity of ocean trenches, the deepest places on Earth. You will study the geology of the hadal zone, how organisms adapt to extreme pressure, cold and scarce food, the technologies used to explore these depths and the threats, such as pollution, that already reach them.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
Program diagnosis

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About the program

What is the Ocean Trench Biodiversity Course?

This short course introduces you to the biodiversity of ocean trenches, the deepest places on the planet and one of its least explored ecosystems. You will learn about the geology of the hadal zone, the adaptations of its organisms to extreme pressure, cold and scarce food, the exploration technologies used to study it, such as baited landers and full-depth vehicles, and the threats that already reach these depths, such as pollution, together with the challenges for research and conservation.

What sets this course apart: a focus on an extreme ecosystem, life in the deepest places on Earth; a science still in development, with many open questions; a clear look at the exploration technology used to study what almost no one has seen; concise, applicable content; and a practical case in which you design a survey campaign in a trench.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Extreme ecosystem: life in the deepest places on Earth.
  • Science in development: a field with many open questions.
  • Exploration technology: landers, crewed and robotic vehicles and pressurized samplers.
  • Adaptations: how proteins, membranes and metabolism cope with extreme pressure.
  • Threats and governance: pollutants, microplastics and climate change in the deep sea.
  • Practical case: design of a biodiversity survey campaign in a trench.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Ocean Trench Biodiversity Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Geology of trenches

  • 1.1. Subduction and trench formation
  • 1.2. The hadal zone
  • 1.3. The main ocean trenches
  • 1.4. Sedimentation and transport of organic matter
  • 1.5. Earthquakes and landslides
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Hadal fauna

  • 2.1. Amphipods and other crustaceans
  • 2.2. Fish of the great depths
  • 2.3. Sea cucumbers and other invertebrates
  • 2.4. Microbial communities
  • 2.5. Endemism and isolation between trenches
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Adaptations to depth

  • 3.1. Effects of pressure on biology
  • 3.2. Piezolytes and protein stability
  • 3.3. Membranes and metabolism
  • 3.4. Feeding strategies
  • 3.5. Reproduction and life cycles
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Exploration technologies

  • 4.1. Baited landers
  • 4.2. Crewed deep-diving vehicles
  • 4.3. Autonomous and remotely operated vehicles
  • 4.4. Pressurized samplers
  • 4.5. Cameras and imaging in darkness
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Threats and conservation

  • 5.1. Persistent pollutants and microplastics
  • 5.2. Climate change and food supply
  • 5.3. Governance of the deep sea
  • 5.4. Protected areas and knowledge gaps
  • 5.5. Practical case: designing a survey campaign in a trench
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Ocean Trench Biodiversity Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)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 FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Ocean Trench Biodiversity Course

01Explain the geology of trenches.
02Describe the hadal fauna.
03Explain adaptations to pressure.
04Understand exploration technologies.
05Assess human threats.
06Propose conservation measures.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Ocean Trench Biodiversity Course

01Deep-sea research techniciansupport for survey campaigns and sample analysis.
02Marine conservation technicianprotection of deep-sea ecosystems.
03Underwater image analystidentification of fauna in video and photographs.
04Science communicatoroutreach on the deep ocean.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Ocean Trench Biodiversity Course

Because reaching them is technically difficult and expensive; many trenches have never been sampled systematically.

Yes. Pollutants and microplastics have been detected in hadal organisms, and this remains an active area of research.

No. The basic concepts of geology and marine biology are explained as the course progresses.

Yes, with images from published scientific expeditions.

You design a campaign to study the biodiversity of an ocean trench, choosing the sampling technology and survey strategy.

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 practical case. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at students and graduates in biology, marine sciences, environmental sciences or related fields, researchers interested in extreme ecosystems, marine conservation technicians, underwater vehicle engineers and educators looking for rigorous content on the deep ocean.
  • 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.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $168 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

Any questions?

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.

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