Master's in Advanced Marine Biomaterials
This master's prepares you to develop, characterize and apply advanced materials obtained from marine resources. You will study marine biopolymers such as chitosan, collagen, alginates and carrageenans, bioceramics derived from shells, fish bones and corals, their extraction, processing and characterization methods, and their applications in biomedicine, packaging and cosmetics, always applying criteria of safety, traceability and the sustainable use of by-products.
Prior knowledge check
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What is the Master's in Advanced Marine Biomaterials?
This master's prepares you to develop, characterize and apply advanced materials obtained from marine resources. You will learn to identify marine resources suitable for obtaining materials, master the extraction and purification of biopolymers and biominerals, apply physicochemical and mechanical characterization techniques, and design materials for biomedicine, packaging and cosmetics, opening the door to biomaterials companies, technology centers and industry.
What sets this master's apart: the complete value chain, from the marine raw material to the applied material; a solid scientific foundation that integrates chemistry, biology and materials science; the circular economy, with the valorisation of fishing and aquaculture by-products; a regulatory perspective on the safety and quality requirements of each application sector; and a Final Project in which you develop a biomaterial for a specific application.
Program highlights
- Complete value chain: from the marine raw material to the applied material.
- Solid scientific foundation: chemistry, biology and materials science combined.
- Circular economy: valorisation of fishing and aquaculture by-products.
- Regulatory perspective: safety and quality requirements for each application sector.
- Wide range of uses: biomedicine, packaging, cosmetics, textiles and construction.
- Final Project: the development of a biomaterial for a specific application.
Syllabus of the Master's in Advanced Marine Biomaterials
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Marine Resources for Biomaterials
- 1.1. Overview of marine biomaterials
- 1.2. Fishing and aquaculture by-products
- 1.3. Crustaceans as a source of chitin
- 1.4. Fish skins, bones and scales
- 1.5. Macroalgae and their polysaccharides
- 1.6. Microalgae and cyanobacteria
- 1.7. Sponges, corals and other invertebrates
- 1.8. Mollusc shells
- 1.9. Availability and seasonality of raw materials
- 1.10. Sustainability of supply
Chemistry of Marine Biopolymers
- 2.1. Structure of polysaccharides
- 2.2. Chitin and chitosan
- 2.3. Alginates
- 2.4. Carrageenans and agar
- 2.5. Fucoidans and ulvans
- 2.6. Marine collagen and gelatine
- 2.7. Adhesive and structural proteins
- 2.8. Degree of deacetylation and molecular weight
- 2.9. Chemical modification of biopolymers
- 2.10. Structure-function relationship
Extraction and Purification Processes
- 3.1. Pre-treatment of raw materials
- 3.2. Demineralisation and deproteinisation
- 3.3. Conventional chemical extraction
- 3.4. Enzymatic extraction
- 3.5. Ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extraction
- 3.6. Supercritical fluids
- 3.7. Purification and fractionation
- 3.8. Drying and stabilization
- 3.9. Process quality control
- 3.10. Economic and environmental balance
Marine Bioceramics and Biominerals
- 4.1. Calcium carbonate from shells
- 4.2. Hydroxyapatite from fish bones
- 4.3. Coral skeletons
- 4.4. Biogenic silica from diatoms and sponges
- 4.5. Calcination and conversion processes
- 4.6. Porous bioceramics
- 4.7. Polymer-ceramic composites
- 4.8. Applications in bone regeneration
- 4.9. Industrial and construction applications
- 4.10. Limitations and challenges
Characterization of Biomaterials
- 5.1. Infrared spectroscopy
- 5.2. X-ray diffraction
- 5.3. Thermal analysis
- 5.4. Electron microscopy
- 5.5. Rheology
- 5.6. Mechanical testing
- 5.7. Porosity and specific surface area
- 5.8. In vitro degradation
- 5.9. Cytotoxicity testing
- 5.10. Integrated interpretation of results
Material Processing and Design
- 6.1. Hydrogels
- 6.2. Films and membranes
- 6.3. Fibers and electrospinning
- 6.4. Foams and sponges
- 6.5. Micro- and nanoparticles
- 6.6. Porous scaffolds
- 6.7. 3D printing of biomaterials
- 6.8. Functional coatings
- 6.9. Blends and composites
- 6.10. Application-driven design
Marine Biomaterials in Biomedicine
- 7.1. Biocompatibility and biological response
- 7.2. Dressings and wound healing
- 7.3. Tissue engineering
- 7.4. Bone and cartilage regeneration
- 7.5. Controlled drug release
- 7.6. Medical devices and their classification
- 7.7. Sterilization of biomaterials
- 7.8. Preclinical testing
- 7.9. ISO 10993 standards
- 7.10. Regulatory framework for medical devices
Packaging, Cosmetics and Other Applications
- 8.1. Biodegradable packaging
- 8.2. Edible films and coatings
- 8.3. Food preservation
- 8.4. Marine cosmetic ingredients
- 8.5. Functional textiles
- 8.6. Water treatment and adsorbents
- 8.7. Agriculture and biostimulants
- 8.8. Biomaterials for construction
- 8.9. Food contact requirements
- 8.10. Market analysis by sector
Safety, Quality and Regulation
- 9.1. Traceability of raw materials
- 9.2. Allergens and contaminants
- 9.3. Good manufacturing practice
- 9.4. ISO 9001 quality management systems
- 9.5. Cosmetics regulations
- 9.6. Regulations on food contact materials
- 9.7. Medical device regulations
- 9.8. Access to genetic resources
- 9.9. Technical documentation
- 9.10. Audits and certifications
Industrial Scale-Up and Circular Economy
- 10.1. From the laboratory to the pilot plant
- 10.2. Industrial process design
- 10.3. Production costs
- 10.4. Marine biorefineries
- 10.5. Industrial symbiosis with the fishing sector
- 10.6. Life cycle assessment
- 10.7. Business models
- 10.8. Industrial property and patents
- 10.9. Project financing
- 10.10. Company case studies from the sector
Final Project
- 11.1. Defining the application
- 11.2. Selecting the raw material
- 11.3. Reviewing the state of the art
- 11.4. Designing the production process
- 11.5. Formulating the material
- 11.6. Characterization plan
- 11.7. Safety and regulatory assessment
- 11.8. Viability analysis
- 11.9. Writing the project report
- 11.10. Presentation to an assessment panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Advanced Marine Biomaterials
It is 1,500 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 Master's in Advanced Marine Biomaterials
Career opportunities after the Master's in Advanced Marine Biomaterials
Questions about the Master's in Advanced Marine Biomaterials
No. Practical content is worked through experimental data, real cases and simulations; if you do have access to a laboratory, you can apply it in your project.
No. It explains the regulatory framework, but it does not replace the authorizations or official training required to manufacture medical devices.
Chitosan, collagen, alginates, carrageenans and bioceramics such as hydroxyapatite and calcium carbonate.
Yes. Packaging, cosmetics, textiles, agriculture, water treatment and construction are all application sectors.
You design a marine biomaterial for a specific application, including the production process, characterization and viability.
The master's is taught entirely online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, recorded live sessions and tutorials. It comprises 1500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each, and you progress at your own pace within the schedule you are given on enrollment.
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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 graduates in chemistry, biotechnology, pharmacy or materials engineering who want to specialize in biomaterials, biologists and marine science graduates interested in the valorisation of marine resources, fishing and aquaculture industry staff looking to add value to their by-products, R&D professionals in packaging, cosmetics or health who need bio-based materials, and researchers who want to steer their work towards industrial application. A degree in chemistry, biotechnology, biology, pharmacy, marine sciences, chemical or materials engineering or a related field, or proven professional experience in R&D, 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.
- 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.