Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Marine Invasive Species Management

This professional diploma prepares you to prevent, detect and manage invasive alien species in the marine environment, one of the main threats to coastal biodiversity. You will study the pathways of introduction, such as ships' ballast water and biofouling, risk assessment, early detection with techniques such as environmental DNA and the realistic options for control and eradication, together with the international and European regulatory framework that governs their management.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the program

What is the Professional Diploma in Marine Invasive Species Management?

This professional diploma prepares you to prevent, detect and manage invasive alien species in the marine environment, one of the main threats to coastal biodiversity. You will analyze the invasion process and its ecological, economic and health impacts, the pathways of introduction from ballast water and hull biofouling to aquaculture, the aquarium trade and interoceanic canals, and the prevention tools available to ports, shipowners and fish farms. You will learn to assess and prioritize risk, design early-detection networks with traditional and molecular methods, and choose between containment, control and eradication when they are feasible.

What sets this diploma apart: prevention first, with pathways, risk analysis and biosecurity at the core; a strong focus on the maritime sector, covering ballast water, hulls, ports and aquaculture; early detection through surveillance, environmental DNA and citizen science; realistic management that is honest about what can and cannot be controlled at sea; and a practical case in which you draw up a management plan for a specific species or port.

Program typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Prevention first: pathways of introduction, risk analysis and biosecurity.
  • Maritime sector: ballast water, hulls, ports and aquaculture.
  • Early detection: surveillance, environmental DNA and citizen science.
  • Realistic management: what can and cannot be controlled at sea.
  • Regulatory framework: the BWM Convention, the EU regulation and national catalogs.
  • Practical case: a management plan for a specific species or port.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Marine Invasive Species Management

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Marine bioinvasions

  • 1.1. Alien and invasive species
  • 1.2. Stages of the invasion process
  • 1.3. Factors that favor invasions
  • 1.4. Impacts on biodiversity
  • 1.5. Economic impacts
  • 1.6. Health impacts
  • 1.7. Invasions and climate change
  • 1.8. Well-known marine examples
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Pathways of introduction

  • 2.1. Ballast water
  • 2.2. Hull biofouling
  • 2.3. Aquaculture and associated species
  • 2.4. The aquarium trade
  • 2.5. Interoceanic canals
  • 2.6. Platforms and floating structures
  • 2.7. Recreational craft
  • 2.8. Floating marine litter
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Prevention and biosecurity

  • 3.1. The IMO BWM Convention
  • 3.2. Ballast water treatment systems
  • 3.3. IMO biofouling guidelines
  • 3.4. Hull cleaning and its control
  • 3.5. Biosecurity in aquaculture
  • 3.6. Biosecurity in ports
  • 3.7. Biosecurity plans
  • 3.8. Communication with sea users
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Risk analysis and prioritization

  • 4.1. Fundamentals of risk analysis
  • 4.2. Lists of priority species
  • 4.3. Pathway analysis
  • 4.4. Habitat suitability models
  • 4.5. Horizon scanning
  • 4.6. Uncertainty in risk
  • 4.7. Prioritizing resources
  • 4.8. Impact assessment
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Early detection and surveillance

  • 5.1. Designing surveillance networks
  • 5.2. Sampling in ports
  • 5.3. Settlement plates
  • 5.4. Environmental DNA
  • 5.5. Taxonomic identification
  • 5.6. Citizen science
  • 5.7. Databases and alerts
  • 5.8. Rapid response
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Control, containment and eradication

  • 6.1. When eradication is possible
  • 6.2. Manual and mechanical removal
  • 6.3. Physical and chemical control methods
  • 6.4. Biological control and its risks
  • 6.5. Targeted fishing and use of the catch
  • 6.6. Containing populations
  • 6.7. Animal welfare and ethics
  • 6.8. Evaluating results
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Regulatory framework and governance

  • 7.1. Convention on Biological Diversity
  • 7.2. IMO regulations
  • 7.3. EU regulation on invasive alien species
  • 7.4. Marine Strategy Framework Directive
  • 7.5. National legislation and catalogs
  • 7.6. Responsibilities of ports and shipowners
  • 7.7. Regional cooperation
  • 7.8. Management plans
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Practical case: management plan for an invasive species

  • 8.1. Selecting the species or port
  • 8.2. Pathway analysis
  • 8.3. Risk assessment
  • 8.4. Designing surveillance
  • 8.5. Prevention measures
  • 8.6. Control options
  • 8.7. Indicators and monitoring
  • 8.8. Presentation of the plan
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Marine Invasive Species Management

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 Marine Invasive Species Management

01Understand marine bioinvasions.
02Identify pathways of introduction.
03Assess the risk.
04Design surveillance.
05Plan the response.
06Apply the regulations.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Marine Invasive Species Management

01Invasive species technicianmanagement and control in environmental administrations.
02Port environmental technicianbiosecurity and surveillance in ports.
03Ballast water specialistregulatory compliance for shipowners and shipyards.
04Environmental consultantrisk analysis and management plans.
05Molecular surveillance techniciandetection using environmental DNA.
06Aquaculture biosecurity technicianpreventing introductions in fish and shellfish farming.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Marine Invasive Species Management

Only in specific cases and when they are detected very early; that is why the program gives priority to prevention and early detection.

Yes. You study the IMO BWM Convention and how it is applied in practice on ships and in ports.

Yes. It is useful for shipowners, shipyards and ports that manage ballast water and biofouling.

No. Navalis Institute teaches the subject, but the program does not replace the official training or authorizations required to carry out inspections.

A management plan for an invasive species or a port, with risk analysis, surveillance design, prevention measures and control options.

Entirely online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

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 management plan for an invasive species or a port.

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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 and marine science graduates who wish to specialize in bioinvasions, technicians at ports and port authorities who manage environmental risks, shipowner and shipyard staff who apply ballast water and biofouling rules, technicians in environmental administrations who manage invasive alien species, and aquaculture professionals who need to control introduction risks. A degree in biology, marine sciences, environmental sciences, nautical studies or a related field, or professional experience in ports, maritime transport or environmental management, 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 $424 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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