Master's in Ocean Climate Science and Global Change Modeling
This master's prepares you to understand and model the role of the ocean in the climate system. You will study ocean physics and chemistry, the carbon cycle, warming and sea level rise, climate models and IPCC scenarios, and you will learn to turn that science into useful information for governments, ports, shipping companies and businesses.
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What is the Master's in Ocean Climate Science and Global Change Modeling?
This master's prepares you to understand and model the role of the ocean in the climate system. You will learn how the ocean shapes the planet's climate, work with climate models and emissions scenarios, use satellite, buoy and reanalysis data, and translate science into information for decision-making, opening the door to research centers, consultancies and public administrations.
What sets this master's apart: applied science, from how the ocean works to the climate services used by businesses and administrations; real modeling, working with data and outputs from open climate models; a complete perspective that brings physics, chemistry, biology and society together in one program; a professional focus on climate risk, adaptation and planning in the maritime sector; and a Final Project in which you carry out a climate impact study of a real coastal area or activity.
Program highlights
- Applied science: from how the ocean works to the climate services used by businesses and administrations.
- Real modeling: work with data and outputs from open climate models.
- Complete perspective: physics, chemistry, biology and society in one program.
- Professional focus: climate risk, adaptation and planning in the maritime sector.
- Long-term climate: the focus is the ocean and climate change, not weather forecasting.
- Final Project: a climate impact study of a real coastal area or activity.
Syllabus of the Master's in Ocean Climate Science and Global Change Modeling
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
The Ocean in the Climate System
- 1.1. Components of the climate system
- 1.2. Earth's energy balance
- 1.3. The ocean as a heat reservoir
- 1.4. Ocean-atmosphere interaction
- 1.5. Global ocean circulation
- 1.6. The ocean and the water cycle
- 1.7. Natural climate variability
- 1.8. El Niño and other modes of variability
- 1.9. Marine palaeoclimate records
- 1.10. Evidence of climate change in the ocean
Ocean Physics
- 2.1. Properties of seawater
- 2.2. Temperature, salinity and density
- 2.3. Wind-driven currents
- 2.4. Thermohaline circulation
- 2.5. Mixing and ocean layers
- 2.6. Waves and tides
- 2.7. Ocean eddies
- 2.8. Western boundary currents
- 2.9. Coastal upwelling
- 2.10. Physics of the polar regions
Marine Chemistry and the Carbon Cycle
- 3.1. The carbonate system
- 3.2. Ocean CO2 uptake
- 3.3. The biological carbon pump
- 3.4. The solubility pump
- 3.5. Ocean acidification
- 3.6. Deoxygenation
- 3.7. Nutrients and productivity
- 3.8. Coastal blue carbon
- 3.9. Sediments and long-term storage
- 3.10. Carbon cycle feedbacks
Ocean Observation
- 4.1. Altimetry and temperature satellites
- 4.2. Argo floats and profilers
- 4.3. Oceanographic moorings
- 4.4. Ships of opportunity
- 4.5. Gliders and autonomous vehicles
- 4.6. Tide gauge networks
- 4.7. International databases
- 4.8. Data quality control
- 4.9. Ocean reanalyses
- 4.10. Designing observation campaigns
Climate Modeling
- 5.1. Fundamentals of numerical models
- 5.2. Ocean models
- 5.3. Coupled ocean-atmosphere models
- 5.4. Resolution and parameterisations
- 5.5. CMIP projects
- 5.6. IPCC emissions scenarios
- 5.7. Downscaling models
- 5.8. Model evaluation
- 5.9. Uncertainty and model ensembles
- 5.10. Open modeling tools
Warming and Sea Level Rise
- 6.1. Ocean warming
- 6.2. Thermal expansion
- 6.3. Melting of glaciers and ice sheets
- 6.4. Sea level rise projections
- 6.5. Regional variations in sea level
- 6.6. Storm surges
- 6.7. Coastal extreme events
- 6.8. Coastal erosion and flooding
- 6.9. High-impact scenarios
- 6.10. Indicators for planning
Marine Ecosystems and Climate Change
- 7.1. Ecosystem responses to warming
- 7.2. Species range shifts
- 7.3. Marine heatwaves
- 7.4. Coral reefs and bleaching
- 7.5. Seagrass meadows and kelp forests
- 7.6. Impact on fisheries
- 7.7. Changes in plankton
- 7.8. Polar ecosystems
- 7.9. Tipping points
- 7.10. Ecosystem resilience and adaptation
Climate Data Analysis
- 8.1. Programming for climate science
- 8.2. Climate data formats
- 8.3. Time series and trends
- 8.4. Statistical analysis of extremes
- 8.5. Mapping and visualization
- 8.6. Comparing models and observations
- 8.7. Climate indicators
- 8.8. Machine learning applied to climate
- 8.9. Scientific reproducibility
- 8.10. Data analysis project
Climate Risk and Adaptation in the Maritime Sector
- 9.1. Climate risk: hazard, exposure and vulnerability
- 9.2. Risk to ports and infrastructure
- 9.3. Risk to navigation and routes
- 9.4. Risk to aquaculture and fisheries
- 9.5. Insurance and climate risk
- 9.6. Coastal adaptation plans
- 9.7. Nature-based solutions
- 9.8. Climate risk disclosure standards
- 9.9. Cost-benefit analysis of adaptation
- 9.10. Adaptation case studies worldwide
Climate Services, Policy and Communication
- 10.1. What climate services are
- 10.2. The Copernicus program and marine services
- 10.3. Designing products for users
- 10.4. International climate governance
- 10.5. The ocean in climate negotiations
- 10.6. The Ocean Decade
- 10.7. Communicating risk and uncertainty
- 10.8. Science communication
- 10.9. Ethics of climate information
- 10.10. Knowledge transfer
Final Project
- 11.1. Selecting the study area or activity
- 11.2. Reviewing the scientific knowledge
- 11.3. Obtaining observed data
- 11.4. Selecting models and scenarios
- 11.5. Analyzing current trends
- 11.6. Projecting future impacts
- 11.7. Risk assessment
- 11.8. Proposing adaptation measures
- 11.9. Writing the project report
- 11.10. Presentation to an assessment panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Ocean Climate Science and Global Change Modeling
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 Ocean Climate Science and Global Change Modeling
Career opportunities after the Master's in Ocean Climate Science and Global Change Modeling
Questions about the Master's in Ocean Climate Science and Global Change Modeling
It is not essential. The program includes an introduction to climate data analysis tools.
Yes. You use satellite, buoy and reanalysis data, as well as outputs from open climate models.
Yes. Climate risk is a priority for ports, shipping companies, insurers, banks and public administrations.
This program focuses on the ocean and long-term climate, not on weather forecasting.
You carry out a climate impact study of a real coastal area or maritime activity, using data and scenarios.
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.
More programs in Climate and oceanography
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 marine sciences, physics, environmental sciences or engineering who wish to specialize in ocean climate, public administration staff working on adaptation and planning, professionals at ports, shipping companies and insurers who need to assess climate risk, environmental consultants who prepare impact and adaptation studies, and researchers and teachers seeking to update their training in modeling. A degree in marine sciences, physics, mathematics, environmental sciences, geography, engineering or a related field, or proven professional experience in the environmental or maritime sectors, 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.