Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Deep-Sea Genetic Resources

This professional diploma prepares you to work with deep-sea genetic resources, a source of biological diversity that remains largely unexplored. You will study deep-sea ecosystems and their adaptations, responsible sampling, genomics and metagenomics, bioprospecting for enzymes and compounds, and the legal framework governing access and use, from the BBNJ Agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction to the Nagoya Protocol, with special attention to fair benefit-sharing and digital sequence information.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the program

What is the Professional Diploma in Deep-Sea Genetic Resources?

This professional diploma prepares you to work with deep-sea genetic resources, a source of biological diversity that is still largely unexplored. You will describe deep-sea biodiversity and its adaptations to pressure, cold and darkness, design sampling, preservation and chain-of-custody protocols, apply next-generation sequencing, metagenomics and bioinformatic analysis, identify uses in enzymes, drugs and industrial biotechnology, and apply UNCLOS, the BBNJ Agreement and the Nagoya Protocol to real projects.

What sets this diploma apart: science and law, with deep-sea biology combined with its international governance; applied genomics, from sampling to sequence and bioinformatic analysis; the ethics of bioprospecting, with benefit-sharing, traceability and open data; a topical subject, the new international regime for the high seas; and a practical case in which you design a bioprospecting project that complies with the applicable rules.

Program typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Science and law: deep-sea biology combined with its international governance.
  • Applied genomics: from sampling to sequence and bioinformatic analysis.
  • Ethics of bioprospecting: benefit-sharing, traceability and open data.
  • Topical subject: the new international regime for the high seas.
  • Data and collections: FAIR data, biobanks and material transfer agreements.
  • Practical case: designing a bioprospecting project that complies with the rules.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Deep-Sea Genetic Resources

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Deep-sea ecosystems

  • 1.1. Zonation of the deep ocean
  • 1.2. Abyssal plains
  • 1.3. Hydrothermal vents and cold seeps
  • 1.4. Seamounts
  • 1.5. Ocean trenches
  • 1.6. Adaptations to pressure and cold
  • 1.7. Extremophile microorganisms
  • 1.8. Connectivity and endemism
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Sampling and preservation of genetic material

  • 2.1. Sampling vessels and vehicles
  • 2.2. Pressurized samplers
  • 2.3. Collection protocols
  • 2.4. Chain of custody
  • 2.5. Preservation and cryopreservation
  • 2.6. Culturing deep-sea microorganisms
  • 2.7. Metadata and documentation
  • 2.8. Minimizing the impact of sampling
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Genomics and metagenomics

  • 3.1. Next-generation sequencing
  • 3.2. Genome assembly
  • 3.3. Environmental metagenomics
  • 3.4. Metagenome-assembled genomes
  • 3.5. Transcriptomics and proteomics
  • 3.6. Sequence databases
  • 3.7. Functional annotation
  • 3.8. Identifying gene clusters
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Bioprospecting and applications

  • 4.1. Extremophile enzymes
  • 4.2. Bioactive compounds
  • 4.3. Pharmaceutical applications
  • 4.4. Industrial and cosmetic applications
  • 4.5. Heterologous expression
  • 4.6. From discovery to product
  • 4.7. Patents and genetic resources
  • 4.8. Biotechnology market trends
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Law of the sea and the high seas

  • 5.1. UNCLOS and maritime zones
  • 5.2. The continental shelf and the Area
  • 5.3. Freedom of marine scientific research
  • 5.4. Consent of the coastal State
  • 5.5. The International Seabed Authority
  • 5.6. Marine protected areas on the high seas
  • 5.7. Environmental impact assessment on the high seas
  • 5.8. Regional bodies
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

The BBNJ Agreement and the Nagoya Protocol

  • 6.1. Origins of the BBNJ Agreement
  • 6.2. Marine genetic resources in the Agreement
  • 6.3. Notification and traceability
  • 6.4. Monetary and non-monetary benefit-sharing
  • 6.5. Digital sequence information
  • 6.6. Capacity building and technology transfer
  • 6.7. The Nagoya Protocol and national jurisdiction
  • 6.8. Interaction between regimes
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Ethics, data and management

  • 7.1. Equity and justice in bioprospecting
  • 7.2. Open science and FAIR data
  • 7.3. Management of collections and biobanks
  • 7.4. Material transfer agreements
  • 7.5. Regulatory compliance in projects
  • 7.6. Conservation versus exploitation
  • 7.7. Participation of developing countries
  • 7.8. Responsible communication
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Practical case: deep-sea bioprospecting project

  • 8.1. Defining the scientific objective
  • 8.2. Selecting the area and habitat
  • 8.3. Analysis of the applicable legal regime
  • 8.4. Sampling and preservation plan
  • 8.5. Genomic strategy
  • 8.6. Data management plan
  • 8.7. Benefit-sharing mechanism
  • 8.8. Presentation of the project
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Deep-Sea Genetic Resources

It is 800 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
15
months to finish
67 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 Professional Diploma in Deep-Sea Genetic Resources

01Understand deep-sea ecosystems.
02Plan genetic sampling.
03Apply genomic tools.
04Identify biotechnological applications.
05Interpret the legal framework.
06Manage benefits and data.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Deep-Sea Genetic Resources

01Marine biotechnology researcherdiscovery of genes and compounds.
02Marine bioinformaticiananalysis of genomes and metagenomes.
03Bioprospecting technicianmanaging campaigns and collections.
04Regulatory compliance adviseraccess and benefit-sharing.
05Ocean policy officergovernance of marine biodiversity.
06Biobank managercustody and traceability of genetic material.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Deep-Sea Genetic Resources

It is not essential. The program explains the fundamentals and the main tools.

Yes. The program analyses its regime for marine genetic resources, digital sequence information and benefit-sharing.

Yes. The program combines science and governance and is valuable for lawyers and policy officers.

That is not part of the program. You work with protocols, data and real published cases.

You design a deep-sea bioprospecting project that complies with the applicable legal framework, including sampling, genomics, data management and benefit-sharing.

The professional diploma is taught online and comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of about 100 hours each, ending with a practical case in which you apply what you have learned to a complete technical brief.

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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 biologists, biotechnologists and biochemists who want to specialize in deep-sea resources, genomics and microbiology researchers working with extremophiles, professionals at biotechnology companies, lawyers and ocean policy officers interested in high seas governance and managers of collections and biobanks. A degree in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, marine sciences, pharmacy, law or a related field, or professional experience in biotechnology, marine research or environmental policy, 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: enrollment is open all year round; 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 $444 deposit

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

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