Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules
Professional Diploma in Physical, Chemical and Biological Oceanography
This professional diploma gives you a deep immersion in the processes that govern the oceans and the dynamics of marine currents. You will work with current dynamics, ocean chemistry, nutrient cycles and marine ecosystems, with measurement methods and data analysis throughout.
Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the programme
What is the Professional Diploma in Physical, Chemical and Biological Oceanography?
This professional diploma offers a deep immersion in the processes that govern the oceans. It covers the dynamics of marine currents, the chemical composition of seawater and the diversity of ocean life, and links them together so that you understand the ocean as an integrated system. Its purpose is to equip you with the tools to analyse and interpret oceanographic data, model marine processes and assess the impact of human activities on ecosystems. It also presents current sampling, analysis and remote sensing techniques applied to oceanography.
What sets this diploma apart: a multidisciplinary approach that integrates marine physics, chemistry and biology for a global view; advanced tools, using software and models to analyse and simulate oceanographic processes; case studies on real problems such as climate change, pollution and overfishing; and practical applications, developing the skills to manage marine resources sustainably and conserve ecosystems.
Programme typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December
Programme highlights
- Solid foundations: explore the physics, chemistry and biology of the ocean and how they interconnect.
- Integrated analysis: learn to analyse oceanographic data to interpret processes and anticipate changes in the marine environment.
- Cutting-edge tools: use software and modelling techniques to simulate ocean dynamics.
- Practical applications: see how oceanography is applied in coastal management, sustainable fisheries and climate change mitigation.
- Professional development: broaden your options in research, environmental consultancy and government bodies.
- Career boost: the programme aims to advance your professional path and contribute to ocean conservation.
Syllabus
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Physical, Chemical and Biological Oceanography
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Module 1
Fundamentals of Oceanography, Ocean Structure and Integrated Foundations of the Marine System
- 1.1. The concept of oceanography and the relationship between its physical, chemical and biological branches in the integrated study of the ocean
- 1.2. Origin, evolution and global distribution of the oceans as an essential component of the Earth system
- 1.3. General structure of the ocean: basins, continental margins, ridges, trenches and ocean shelves
- 1.4. General properties of seawater and its role in marine dynamics, chemistry and life
- 1.5. Spatial and temporal scales of ocean processes, from local phenomena to planetary circulation
- 1.6. Interaction between ocean, atmosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere and biosphere in the functioning of the climate system
- 1.7. Methods, approaches and applications of modern oceanography in research, management and environmental monitoring
- 1.8. History of oceanography
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 2
Physical Oceanography: Water Properties, Water Masses, Circulation and Marine Dynamics
- 2.1. Temperature, salinity, density and pressure as fundamental physical variables of the ocean
- 2.2. Stratification of the water column, thermocline, halocline and pycnocline in different marine environments
- 2.3. Formation, identification and evolution of water masses in the open ocean and regional seas
- 2.4. Surface and deep ocean circulation and its role in transporting heat, salt and nutrients
- 2.5. Ocean currents, gyres, upwelling and downwelling as key dynamic processes
- 2.6. Tides, waves and coastal dynamics in the redistribution of energy and matter in the marine environment
- 2.7. Physical variability of the ocean and its relationship with climate phenomena, extremes and global environmental change
- 2.8. Thermocline and stratification
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 3
Chemical Oceanography: Seawater Composition, Biogeochemical Cycles and Exchange Processes
- 3.1. Chemical composition of seawater and distribution of major, minor and trace elements in the ocean
- 3.2. Dissolved gases, ocean-atmosphere exchange and the behaviour of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen in the marine environment
- 3.3. The carbonate system, alkalinity and chemical regulation of pH in ocean and coastal environments
- 3.4. Marine nutrients and their role in biological productivity and the trophic structure of the ocean
- 3.5. Biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, silicon and sulphur in marine systems
- 3.6. Chemical processes associated with mixing, precipitation, adsorption, oxidation-reduction and transformation of compounds
- 3.7. Ocean acidification, chemical pollution and anthropogenic alterations of marine chemistry
- 3.8. The ocean carbon system
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 4
Biological Oceanography: Marine Organisms, Productivity and Ecological Functioning of the Ocean
- 4.1. Fundamentals of biological oceanography and the relationship between the physical environment, marine chemistry and ocean life
- 4.2. Marine biodiversity from microorganisms to large vertebrates in pelagic and benthic ecosystems
- 4.3. Phytoplankton, zooplankton, nekton and benthos as functional components of marine communities
- 4.4. Primary and secondary production and their role in energy transfer within the ocean ecosystem
- 4.5. Marine food webs, ecological efficiency and biological regulation mechanisms in different environments
- 4.6. Spatial and temporal distribution of marine organisms in relation to light, nutrients, temperature and circulation
- 4.7. Biological response to natural and anthropogenic disturbances in coastal, oceanic and polar ecosystems
- 4.8. Phytoplankton and primary production
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 5
Physical-Chemical-Biological Interactions and Functioning of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
- 5.1. Coupling between physical, chemical and biological processes in the structure and functioning of the ocean
- 5.2. Ocean fronts, upwelling and mixing zones as areas of high productivity and ecological complexity
- 5.3. Coastal, estuarine, reef and oceanic ecosystems from an integrated marine-system perspective
- 5.4. Cycles of matter and energy at the water-sediment-atmosphere interface and their influence on marine life
- 5.5. Seasonal variability and extreme events as modulators of ecological and biogeochemical dynamics
- 5.6. Ecological connectivity between marine habitats and processes of dispersal, migration and recruitment
- 5.7. Ecosystem functioning and environmental services provided by the ocean at local and global scales
- 5.8. Upwelling and productive zones
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 6
Observation, Sampling and Analysis Methods in Physical, Chemical and Biological Oceanography
- 6.1. Principles of oceanographic cruise design and selection of observation scales according to scientific objectives
- 6.2. Instrumentation for physical ocean measurement: CTD, current meters, ADCP, buoys and remote sensors
- 6.3. Chemical sampling techniques for analysing nutrients, gases, inorganic carbon and marine contaminants
- 6.4. Biological sampling methods for plankton, benthos, microbial communities and marine fauna
- 6.5. Processing, quality control and interpretation of multidisciplinary oceanographic data
- 6.6. Application of remote sensing, numerical modelling and time series in integrated ocean studies
- 6.7. Ethics, safety and good practice in oceanographic fieldwork and laboratory work
- 6.8. Oceanographic cruises and research vessels
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 7
Climate Change, Anthropogenic Impacts and Marine Environmental Management from Integrated Oceanography
- 7.1. The ocean's role in regulating climate and absorbing heat and carbon on a planetary scale
- 7.2. Effects of global warming on circulation, stratification, sea level and regional ocean processes
- 7.3. Acidification, deoxygenation and changes in marine productivity associated with global environmental change
- 7.4. Marine pollution by nutrients, metals, hydrocarbons, plastics and other anthropogenic pressures
- 7.5. Impacts on biodiversity, fisheries, coastal ecosystems and the biogeochemical functioning of the ocean
- 7.6. Monitoring, environmental assessment and use of oceanographic indicators for marine and coastal management
- 7.7. Conservation, adaptation and sustainability approaches based on multidisciplinary oceanographic knowledge
- 7.8. Acidification and warming
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 8
Capstone Project in Physical, Chemical and Biological Oceanographic Analysis Applied to a Marine System
- 8.1. Definition of the case study: ocean region, coastal ecosystem or marine environmental problem to be investigated
- 8.2. Physical characterisation of the selected system using hydrographic variables, circulation and local or regional dynamics
- 8.3. Chemical assessment of the marine environment based on nutrients, dissolved gases, carbon and environmental quality
- 8.4. Biological analysis of communities, productivity and ecological structure of the system studied
- 8.5. Integration of physical, chemical and biological results to interpret the functioning of the marine ecosystem
- 8.6. Identification of environmental pressures, risks or relevant changes in the selected study area
- 8.7. Presentation of the capstone project
- 8.8. Presentation and defence of the final project with technical conclusions, an integrated approach and a proposal for applied oceanographic analysis
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your pacePlan your pace
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Physical, Chemical and Biological Oceanography
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 instalment plan.
Faculty
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
Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Physical, Chemical and Biological Oceanography
01Assess how human activities affect marine ecosystems.
02Develop predictive models of oceanographic processes that support the sustainable management of marine resources.
03Analyse in an integrated way the interactions between the physical, chemical and biological factors of the ocean.
04Design and implement monitoring strategies for the early detection of environmental change.
05Propose innovative solutions to mitigate marine pollution.
06Lead multidisciplinary oceanographic research projects that deepen our understanding of the ocean.
Careers
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Physical, Chemical and Biological Oceanography
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Physical, Chemical and Biological Oceanography
Physical, chemical and biological oceanography.
Yes. The programme includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with port, ocean, fog, heavy-weather and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator stays/internships through partnership agreements.
Physical, chemical and biological oceanography.
Functional SMCP is recommended. We provide support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a related qualification or experience in maritime/port operations. The admission interview will confirm your suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Partnerships and the Alumni Network.
Simulator exercises (rubrics), passage plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and an applied master's thesis.
Related programmes
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Online admission
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
Entry requirements
- Academic profile: a degree in Marine Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Engineering or a related field.
- Prior knowledge: basic notions of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology are recommended.
- Documentation: up-to-date CV, copy of your degree or academic transcript, national ID or passport, and a motivation letter explaining your interest in oceanography.
- Desirable skills: analytical and synthesis ability, teamwork and an interest in scientific research.
- Admission is provisional until the committee validates your documentation; if the requirements are not met, the full amount is refunded.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom €480 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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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.