Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Microalgae for Human Food and Animal Feed

This professional diploma prepares you to work with microalgae as a source of food for people and animals. You will study species of interest such as spirulina, chlorella and omega-3 producers, cultivation systems in open ponds and photobioreactors, harvesting and processing, their nutritional value and their use in feeds for aquaculture and livestock, as well as food safety requirements and the keys to bringing a product to market.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the program

What is the Professional Diploma in Microalgae for Human Food and Animal Feed?

This professional diploma prepares you to work with microalgae as a source of food for people and animals. You will get to know the species of interest, from spirulina and chlorella to omega-3 producers and Haematococcus; compare raceway ponds, tubular and panel photobioreactors and heterotrophic fermentation; apply harvesting, drying, cell disruption and extraction techniques; assess proteins, lipids, pigments and digestibility; formulate foods, supplements and feeds for hatcheries, aquaculture, livestock and pets; and apply hazard control, HACCP and the regulatory framework for algae-based ingredients.

What sets this diploma apart: the whole chain from cultivation to product, from strain to final ingredient; a dual application, with human food and animal nutrition in a single program; a scientific basis built on composition, digestibility and well-established nutritional evidence; food safety, with contaminants, quality and the regulatory framework for algae ingredients; and a practical case in which you design a production line for a microalgae ingredient.

Program typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • From cultivation to product: the whole chain, from strain to final ingredient.
  • Dual application: human food and animal nutrition in a single program.
  • Scientific basis: composition, digestibility and well-established nutritional evidence.
  • Food safety: contaminants, quality and the regulatory framework for algae ingredients.
  • Aquafeeds: alternatives to fishmeal and fish oil and pigmentation of salmonids and crustaceans.
  • Practical case: designing a production line for a microalgae ingredient.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Microalgae for Human Food and Animal Feed

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Microalgae biology and species

  • 1.1. What microalgae and cyanobacteria are
  • 1.2. Photosynthetic and metabolic processes
  • 1.3. Spirulina (Arthrospira)
  • 1.4. Chlorella
  • 1.5. Omega-3-producing microalgae
  • 1.6. Haematococcus and astaxanthin
  • 1.7. Strain banks and selection
  • 1.8. Biochemical composition
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Cultivation systems

  • 2.1. Open raceway ponds
  • 2.2. Tubular and flat-panel photobioreactors
  • 2.3. Heterotrophic cultivation in fermenters
  • 2.4. Culture media and nutrients
  • 2.5. Light, temperature and pH
  • 2.6. Contamination and culture control
  • 2.7. Use of CO2 and wastewater
  • 2.8. Scaling up from laboratory to plant
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Harvesting and processing

  • 3.1. Harvesting techniques
  • 3.2. Flocculation and centrifugation
  • 3.3. Filtration
  • 3.4. Spray drying and freeze-drying
  • 3.5. Cell disruption
  • 3.6. Extraction of lipids and pigments
  • 3.7. Stability and preservation
  • 3.8. Ingredient formats
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Nutritional value and health

  • 4.1. Proteins and amino acids
  • 4.2. Omega-3 fatty acids
  • 4.3. Pigments and antioxidants
  • 4.4. Vitamins and minerals
  • 4.5. Digestibility and bioavailability
  • 4.6. Evidence on health effects
  • 4.7. Nutrition and health claims
  • 4.8. Allergens and precautions
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Microalgae in human food

  • 5.1. Ingredients and supplements
  • 5.2. Bakery products and pasta
  • 5.3. Drinks and plant-based dairy alternatives
  • 5.4. Meat analogues and alternative proteins
  • 5.5. Color, flavor and sensory acceptance
  • 5.6. Product formulation
  • 5.7. Shelf life and packaging
  • 5.8. Consumer trends
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Microalgae in animal feed

  • 6.1. Microalgae in aquaculture hatcheries
  • 6.2. Replacing fishmeal and fish oil
  • 6.3. Pigmentation of salmonids and crustaceans
  • 6.4. Feeds for poultry and pigs
  • 6.5. Pet food
  • 6.6. Feeding trials
  • 6.7. Cost and scalability
  • 6.8. Feed regulations
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Quality, safety and regulation

  • 7.1. Microbiological hazards
  • 7.2. Heavy metals and contaminants
  • 7.3. Cyanotoxins
  • 7.4. HACCP systems
  • 7.5. The EU Novel Food Catalog
  • 7.6. Authorization of ingredients
  • 7.7. Labeling
  • 7.8. Organic certification
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Practical case: production line for a microalgae ingredient

  • 8.1. Selecting the species and the product
  • 8.2. Market study
  • 8.3. Designing the cultivation system
  • 8.4. Designing the processing
  • 8.5. Quality and safety plan
  • 8.6. Regulatory analysis
  • 8.7. Economic study
  • 8.8. Presenting the project
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Microalgae for Human Food and Animal Feed

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 Microalgae for Human Food and Animal Feed

01Understand microalgae biology.
02Design cultivation systems.
03Apply harvesting and processing.
04Assess nutritional value.
05Formulate foods and feeds.
06Ensure food safety.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Microalgae for Human Food and Animal Feed

01Microalgae production technicianmanaging cultures at plant scale.
02Food technologistdeveloping products with algae ingredients.
03Aquaculture nutrition specialistformulating feeds and hatchery diets.
04Food quality and safety technicianingredient control and regulatory compliance.
05R&D technicianinnovation projects in marine ingredients.
06Entrepreneurlaunching cultivation and processing projects.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Microalgae for Human Food and Animal Feed

Microalgae are single-celled organisms grown in suspension; macroalgae are visible seaweeds farmed at sea or in tanks.

No. Only some species are authorized or have a history of consumption; the program explains how a new ingredient is assessed and authorized.

Yes. You analyze cultivation systems, scale-up and the production costs of a plant.

Yes. A full module covers microalgae in hatcheries and in feeds for aquaculture and livestock.

You design a production line for a microalgae ingredient, from cultivation to economic analysis.

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 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 graduates in biology, marine sciences, food technology or biotechnology who wish to specialize in microalgae, food industry technicians who develop new ingredients and products, aquaculture and feed professionals looking for alternatives to fishmeal and fish oil, entrepreneurs who want to launch a microalgae cultivation project, and researchers and laboratory technicians who work with algae cultures. A degree in biology, marine sciences, food science and technology, biotechnology, chemistry, agricultural engineering or a related field, or professional experience in the food, aquaculture or feed industries, 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.
  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 $420 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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