Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Bio-inspired Concrete and Biocement Course

This course introduces you to how biomineralisation in marine organisms inspires new building materials. You will study microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation, biocement for consolidating sands and soils, bio-inspired concretes and materials that encourage biological colonisation on coastal structures. You will analyse their potential to reduce the carbon footprint and their current limitations in scale, control and durability.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
Programme diagnosis

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.

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You are starting from scratch in this subject. The programme is designed precisely for that.

About the programme

What is the Bio-inspired Concrete and Biocement Course?

This short course explores construction that learns from the sea. You will study biogenic carbonates, reefs as natural structures, beachrock and natural cementation, the carbon footprint of cement and bio-inspired principles, then the chemistry and controlling factors of microbially induced carbonate precipitation, ureolytic and non-ureolytic routes and the management of by-products. You will apply biocement to sand consolidation, foundation improvement and coastal erosion control with geotechnical testing, and examine bacterial and low-carbon concretes, surfaces that encourage colonisation, concrete for ecological structures and durability in the marine environment.

What sets this course apart: construction with biology, applying microorganisms and biomineralisation to building works; a coastal focus on sand consolidation, breakwaters and ecological structures; a climate perspective on alternatives that reduce the footprint of cement; a critical view of pilot results and scale-up challenges; and a practical case in which you assess a biocement solution for a coastal problem.

Programme typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Programme highlights

  • Building with biology: microorganisms and biomineralisation applied to construction.
  • Coastal focus: sand consolidation, breakwaters and ecological structures.
  • Climate perspective: alternatives to reduce the footprint of cement.
  • Critical view: pilot results and scale-up challenges.
  • Durability: performance of bio-inspired materials in the marine environment.
  • Practical case: assessing a biocement solution for a coastal problem.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Bio-inspired Concrete and Biocement Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Biomineralisation and construction

  • 1.1. Biogenic carbonates in the sea
  • 1.2. Reefs as natural structures
  • 1.3. Beachrock and natural cementation
  • 1.4. Carbon footprint of cement
  • 1.5. Bio-inspired principles
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation

  • 2.1. Ureolytic microorganisms
  • 2.2. Chemistry of precipitation
  • 2.3. Controlling factors
  • 2.4. By-products and their management
  • 2.5. Non-ureolytic alternatives
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Biocement in soils and sands

  • 3.1. Sand consolidation
  • 3.2. Foundation improvement
  • 3.3. Coastal erosion control
  • 3.4. Application methods
  • 3.5. Geotechnical testing
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Bio-inspired and ecological concretes

  • 4.1. Concretes with bacteria
  • 4.2. Low-carbon concretes
  • 4.3. Surfaces that encourage colonisation
  • 4.4. Concrete for ecological structures
  • 4.5. Durability in the marine environment
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Viability and application

  • 5.1. Scale-up and quality control
  • 5.2. Comparative costs
  • 5.3. Regulations and acceptance
  • 5.4. Pilot projects
  • 5.5. Practical case: biocement for a coastal problem
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Bio-inspired Concrete and Biocement Course

It is 300 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
6
months to finish
25 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 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 Bio-inspired Concrete and Biocement Course

01Describe carbonate formation in marine organisms.
02Explain microbially induced carbonate precipitation.
03Analyse sand consolidation and slope stabilisation.
04Describe bio-inspired and low-carbon concretes.
05Assess durability in the marine environment.
06Weigh up costs, scale, regulations and carbon footprint.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Bio-inspired Concrete and Biocement Course

01Sustainable construction technicianlow-impact materials in construction firms.
02Geotechnical techniciansoil improvement with biocement.
03Coastal technicianlower-impact protection solutions.
04R&D technicianconstruction biomaterials projects.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Bio-inspired Concrete and Biocement Course

Not in general. It is useful in specific applications, such as sand consolidation, and its scale-up is still under development.

Mainly bacteria able to induce calcium carbonate precipitation; the course explains their types and the conditions they need.

Its by-products and environmental effects need to be assessed; the course covers how to manage them.

No. The course explains the concepts you need.

You assess the use of biocement for a specific coastal problem.

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

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied practical case. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enrol.

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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
  • Profile: aimed at civil and materials engineers interested in sustainable construction, geotechnical specialists working on soil improvement, biologists and microbiologists interested in construction applications, coastal and port technicians looking for lower-impact solutions, and architects interested in bio-inspired materials; a background in civil or materials engineering, geology, biology or marine sciences, or experience in construction, 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
    Enrolment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $176 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.

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