Master's in Digital Twin of the Ocean
This master's programme prepares you to design and operate digital twins of the ocean: virtual replicas that combine observations and numerical models. You will work with data assimilation, model coupling and visualisation, with use cases from shipping, the environment and energy.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this programme gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The programme is designed precisely for that.
What is the Master's in Digital Twin of the Ocean?
This master's degree trains you to design and operate digital twins of the ocean: virtual replicas that combine observations, numerical models and artificial intelligence to represent the state of the sea and explore future scenarios. You will learn to integrate near-real-time data, couple physical and biogeochemical models through data assimilation, build what-if scenarios and develop interfaces and visualisations for port, coastal, energy and conservation managers.
The programme stands out for its whole-system approach, bringing data, models, AI, visualisation and interoperability into one programme; for its study of reference initiatives, including the digital twins promoted under Copernicus, the EU and the UN Ocean Decade; for hands-on practice with open tools, such as freely available ocean models, data libraries and visualisation engines; for its decision-oriented focus, with scenarios applied to ports, coasts, energy and ecosystems; and for a project of your own, designing a digital twin of a marine area or infrastructure.
Programme highlights
- Integrate data: combine observations and models in near real time.
- Model the ocean: work with physical and biogeochemical models.
- Explore scenarios: design what-if simulations for management.
- Visualise in 3D: create interfaces and dashboards for users.
- Advance your career: access to research centres, technology companies and marine managers.
- Train to build the digital replica of the ocean that marine science and management need.
Syllabus of the Master's in Digital Twin of the Ocean
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of Digital Twins
- 1.1. Origin of the digital twin concept
- 1.2. Digital twins in industry and cities
- 1.3. From model to digital twin
- 1.4. Components of a digital twin
- 1.5. Levels of maturity and fidelity
- 1.6. Digital twins of the Earth system
- 1.7. Digital twins of the ocean
- 1.8. European and international initiatives
- 1.9. Use cases and users
- 1.10. Scientific and technical challenges
Ocean Observation for Digital Twins
- 2.1. Essential ocean variables
- 2.2. Buoy and mooring networks
- 2.3. Argo floats and profilers
- 2.4. Gliders and autonomous vehicles
- 2.5. Coastal high-frequency radar
- 2.6. Ocean observation satellites
- 2.7. Sensors on ships and infrastructure
- 2.8. Near-real-time data
- 2.9. Operational quality control
- 2.10. Design of observation networks
Physical Ocean Modelling
- 3.1. Equations of ocean motion
- 3.2. Regional and coastal circulation models
- 3.3. Structured and unstructured grids
- 3.4. Boundary conditions and forcing
- 3.5. Spectral wave models
- 3.6. Tide and sea level models
- 3.7. Sediment transport models
- 3.8. Model nesting
- 3.9. Model validation
- 3.10. High-performance computing
Biogeochemical and Ecological Modelling
- 4.1. Nutrient and oxygen cycles
- 4.2. Plankton models
- 4.3. Carbonate system models
- 4.4. Coastal water quality
- 4.5. Pollutant dispersion models
- 4.6. Particle drift models
- 4.7. Species habitat models
- 4.8. End-to-end ecosystem models
- 4.9. Physical-biological coupling
- 4.10. Uncertainty in ecological models
Data Assimilation
- 5.1. Fundamentals of data assimilation
- 5.2. Optimal interpolation
- 5.3. 3D-Var and 4D-Var variational methods
- 5.4. Ensemble Kalman filter
- 5.5. Observation and model errors
- 5.6. Assimilation of satellite data
- 5.7. Assimilation of in situ profiles
- 5.8. Ocean reanalyses
- 5.9. Design of observing system experiments
- 5.10. Assimilation with machine learning
Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Twin
- 6.1. The role of AI in a digital twin
- 6.2. Emulators of physical models
- 6.3. Surrogate models for rapid scenarios
- 6.4. Reconstruction of fields from sparse data
- 6.5. Short-term forecasting with neural networks
- 6.6. Anomaly detection
- 6.7. Hybrid physics-AI models
- 6.8. Uncertainty quantification
- 6.9. Validation of AI models
- 6.10. Current limits of ocean AI
Digital Infrastructure and Interoperability
- 7.1. Reference architectures
- 7.2. Cloud computing and HPC
- 7.3. Analytical data storage
- 7.4. APIs and web services
- 7.5. OGC standards
- 7.6. Oceanographic data protocols
- 7.7. Metadata management
- 7.8. FAIR principles
- 7.9. Platform security
- 7.10. Scalability and costs
What-if Scenarios and Decision Support
- 8.1. What a what-if scenario is
- 8.2. Climate scenarios
- 8.3. Human intervention scenarios
- 8.4. Simulation of spills and emergencies
- 8.5. Simulation of coastal works
- 8.6. Simulation of offshore wind farms
- 8.7. Fisheries management scenarios
- 8.8. Decision indicators
- 8.9. Multi-criteria analysis
- 8.10. Communicating uncertainty
3D Visualisation and User Interfaces
- 9.1. Principles of scientific visualisation
- 9.2. Web geospatial visualisation
- 9.3. 3D visualisation engines
- 9.4. Representation of three-dimensional fields
- 9.5. Time-series animations
- 9.6. Dashboards for managers
- 9.7. User-centred design
- 9.8. Virtual and augmented reality
- 9.9. Interface accessibility
- 9.10. User evaluation
Sector Applications and Governance
- 10.1. Port digital twins
- 10.2. Coastal management and risks
- 10.3. Marine renewable energy
- 10.4. Aquaculture and fisheries
- 10.5. Marine protected areas
- 10.6. Marine spatial planning
- 10.7. Maritime safety
- 10.8. Business models and sustainability
- 10.9. Data governance and ownership
- 10.10. Ethics and responsible use
Master's Final Project: Design of a Marine Digital Twin
- 11.1. Selection of the case and users
- 11.2. Functional requirements
- 11.3. Inventory of available data
- 11.4. Selection of models
- 11.5. Architecture design
- 11.6. Integration of data and models
- 11.7. Definition of scenarios
- 11.8. Interface prototype
- 11.9. Writing the report
- 11.10. Defence before a panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Digital Twin of the Ocean
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 instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. 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
Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Master's in Digital Twin of the Ocean
Career opportunities after the Master's in Digital Twin of the Ocean
Questions about the Master's in Digital Twin of the Ocean
A virtual representation that combines observations, models and AI to describe the state of the sea and simulate scenarios.
A basic knowledge of programming is recommended; the programme includes guided practical work with open-source tools.
Yes. Open ocean models, operational products and public observation data are used.
It is an emerging and rapidly developing field; the programme presents both its possibilities and its current limitations.
The design of a digital twin for a coastal area, a port or a marine infrastructure, with a working prototype.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme has a workload of 1500 hours. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, which is shown on this page and confirmed by the admissions team when you request information.
More programmes in Climate and oceanography
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- Academic or professional profile: a degree in marine sciences, physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering or a related field, or accredited professional experience in modelling, data or the marine sector.
- Language: sufficient command of the language of instruction to follow the classes and materials. A working knowledge of technical English is recommended, since much of the sector's regulation and documentation is written in English.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project defences.
- Admission process: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team. Enrolment is open all year round; admission is provisional until the committee validates your documentation.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose 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 enrol
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.