Master's in Deep Scientific Diving
This master's prepares you to lead complex underwater research. You will learn to plan and carry out safe, efficient deep dives using technical equipment, mixed gases and closed-circuit rebreathers, and you will master biological and geological sampling, the study of mesophotic and deep ecosystems, underwater photogrammetry and the interpretation of scientific results to support ocean conservation.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program 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 program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Master's in Deep Scientific Diving?
This master's prepares you to design and lead scientific diving projects at depth. You will learn the physics and physiology of deep diving, from oxygen toxicity, nitrogen narcosis and HPNS to decompression sickness and hyperbaric first aid, how decompression models, gradient factors and trimix blends are planned, how technical configurations and closed-circuit rebreathers are set up and managed, and how mesophotic sampling, 3D photogrammetry, underwater archaeology, navigation in confined environments and scientific diving safety standards come together in a real research expedition.
What sets this master's apart: a rigorous grounding in hyperbaric physiology and diving medicine; in-depth coverage of advanced decompression theory and gas planning; full treatment of technical equipment and CCR rebreathers for research; applied methods for biological sampling and monitoring in mesophotic zones; specialist content on 3D photogrammetry, mapping and deep underwater archaeology; and an integrative project in which you plan a complete scientific diving expedition.
Program highlights
- Diving medicine: hyperbaric physiology, decompression sickness and recompression.
- Decompression planning: Bühlmann, gradient factors, VPM and trimix blends.
- Technical equipment: twinsets, sidemount, dry suits and oxygen service.
- CCR rebreathers: loop management, failure diagnosis and bailout planning.
- Scientific methods: mesophotic sampling, eDNA, photogrammetry and archaeology.
- Integrative project: planning a complete scientific diving expedition.
Syllabus of the Master's in Deep Scientific Diving
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Deep diving physics, hyperbaric physiology and diving medicine
- 1.1. Physical laws applied to deep diving and gas behavior under pressure
- 1.2. Respiratory physiology in high-density gas environments
- 1.3. Oxygen toxicity at high partial pressures: Paul Bert and Lorrain Smith effects
- 1.4. Nitrogen narcosis and equivalent narcotic depth
- 1.5. High-pressure nervous syndrome: helium and compression rates
- 1.6. Decompression sickness: bubble formation, clinical classification and tissue damage
- 1.7. Barotrauma of the lungs, ears and sinuses
- 1.8. Hyperbaric thermoregulation, deep hypothermia and heating systems
- 1.9. Hyperbaric first aid: 100% oxygen, life support and CPR in remote areas
- 1.10. Recompression chamber operations, treatment tables, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and MEDEVAC
Advanced decompression theory, algorithms and gas planning
- 2.1. Deterministic decompression models: Haldane and Bühlmann ZHL-16
- 2.2. Gradient factors and conservatism settings
- 2.3. Bubble models: VPM and RGBM
- 2.4. Ternary blends: normoxic and hypoxic trimix
- 2.5. Isobaric counter-diffusion and gas switches
- 2.6. Decompression planning software, gas consumption and contingency plans
- 2.7. Accelerated decompression with oxygen-rich mixes and pure oxygen at 6 meters
- 2.8. Patent foramen ovale and long decompression diving
- 2.9. Partial pressure blending, booster transfer and gas purity analysis
- 2.10. Protocols for omitted decompression stops
Technical equipment, advanced configuration and life support
- 3.1. DIR configuration philosophy: standardization, streamlining and trim
- 3.2. Back-mounted twinsets: isolator manifolds, valves and maintenance
- 3.3. Scientific sidemount configuration
- 3.4. High-flow regulators and freeze prevention
- 3.5. Buoyancy control wings and redundancy
- 3.6. Dry suits: trilaminate and neoprene, insulation and P-valves
- 3.7. Delayed surface marker buoys and spools
- 3.8. Technical lighting: canister lights and light signals
- 3.9. Cutting tools and emergency equipment
- 3.10. Maintenance, cleaning and certification of components for oxygen service
Closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) technology for research
- 4.1. Fundamentals of closed-circuit rebreathers: gas autonomy and constant PPO2
- 4.2. Breathing loop components: counterlungs, mouthpiece, HUD and CO2 scrubber
- 4.3. CO2 absorption chemistry: soda lime, breakthrough and channeling
- 4.4. Electronics and PPO2 monitoring: galvanic sensors, calibration and eCCR and mCCR redundancy
- 4.5. Diluent management with nitrox and trimix
- 4.6. Pre-dive checks: positive and negative pressure tests and pre-breathe
- 4.7. Diagnosing loop failures: hypoxia, hyperoxia and hypercapnia
- 4.8. Bailout and stage cylinder planning
- 4.9. Adapting scientific instruments to the rebreather
- 4.10. Loop maintenance, sensor storage and battery care
Biological sampling and monitoring methods in mesophotic zones
- 5.1. Ecology of mesophotic coral ecosystems
- 5.2. Underwater experimental design: randomisation, replication and bottom time optimization
- 5.3. Visual fish censuses: belt transects and fixed points
- 5.4. Quantitative benthic assessment: quadrats, line intercept transects and photo-transects
- 5.5. Biological sample collection: suction samplers, scraping and in situ fixation
- 5.6. Deploying physico-chemical sensors: CTD loggers, PAR sensors and thermistors
- 5.7. Coral health monitoring and deep tissue sampling
- 5.8. Soft-sediment sampling with core samplers
- 5.9. Sampling for genetic studies and environmental DNA
- 5.10. Environmental regulation, sampling ethics and minimizing impact on fragile habitats
3D underwater photogrammetry, mapping and georeferencing
- 6.1. Physics of light underwater: refraction, color absorption and backscatter
- 6.2. Deep imaging equipment: cameras, pressure housings and lighting
- 6.3. Principles of underwater photogrammetry: overlap, survey patterns and focal length
- 6.4. Image processing: point clouds, 3D meshes and texturing
- 6.5. Ground control points, leveling and physical scales
- 6.6. Digital elevation models and high-resolution orthomosaics
- 6.7. Integrating photogrammetric data into GIS and QGIS
- 6.8. Orientation and mapping in low visibility
- 6.9. Acoustic positioning with USBL and surface GPS
- 6.10. 3D reconstruction of walls, caves, canyons and wrecks
Deep underwater archaeology and heritage conservation
- 7.1. The 2001 UNESCO Convention on underwater cultural heritage
- 7.2. Archaeological survey: side scan sonar, magnetometry and visual verification
- 7.3. Fine excavation methods: dredges and airlifts
- 7.4. In situ archaeological recording: underwater stratigraphy, slate drawing and context sheets
- 7.5. Recovering sensitive artifacts: lifting cradles and temporary consolidation
- 7.6. Preventive conservation and the degradation of organic and metal materials
- 7.7. Preservation in deep anoxic sites and the action of wood-boring organisms
- 7.8. Documenting historic wrecks: naval architecture, cargoes and debris fields
- 7.9. Ethics: preventing looting and building virtual 3D museums
- 7.10. Planning archaeological projects: permits, interdisciplinary coordination and reports
Underwater navigation, orientation and diving in confined environments
- 8.1. Natural and compass navigation: currents, seabed relief and ripple marks
- 8.2. Introduction to scientific diving in caves, under ice and in artificial structures
- 8.3. Guideline management: main line, directional markers, cookies and jumps
- 8.4. Advanced propulsion techniques: frog kick, modified frog, helicopter turn and back kick
- 8.5. Technical underwater communication: light signals, slates and full-face masks with audio
- 8.6. Procedures for loss of visibility and light failure
- 8.7. Diver propulsion vehicles: range, towing and planning
- 8.8. Diving from research vessels: entries, recovery and rough seas
- 8.9. Suspended decompression stations, shot lines and counterweight systems
- 8.10. Working on vertical walls, in drift currents and in high turbidity
International standards, operational safety and risk management
- 9.1. International scientific diving standards: AAUS, ESDP, CMAS and OSHA
- 9.2. The role of the diving safety officer: duties, supervision and field audits
- 9.3. Writing the dive operations plan and risk assessment
- 9.4. Legal framework and civil liability in scientific diving expeditions
- 9.5. Human factors and decision-making: the Swiss cheese model and safety culture
- 9.6. Quality audits based on IMCA criteria adapted to science
- 9.7. International transport of gases, batteries and equipment under IATA rules
- 9.8. Biosecurity and preventing cross-contamination by invasive species
- 9.9. Medical cover and hyperbaric accident insurance for researchers abroad
- 9.10. Designing and testing the medical evacuation and emergency response plan
Integrative project: planning and executing a scientific expedition
- 10.1. Research objectives and justification of the expedition
- 10.2. Selecting the platform and logistics: vessels, compressors and field workshops
- 10.3. Choosing the diving configuration, open circuit or CCR, and gas logistics
- 10.4. Integrated risk analysis and site emergency manual
- 10.5. Integrating the sampling design with instruments and photogrammetry
- 10.6. Decompression profiles, main plans and gas-loss contingency plans
- 10.7. Operational simulation in a controlled environment
- 10.8. Processing the data: 3D models, statistical analysis and GIS mapping
- 10.9. Writing the final technical and scientific report
- 10.10. Presentation and defense before a technical assessment panel
Final Project
- 11.1. Choosing the topic and defining the research problem
- 11.2. Objectives, hypotheses and scope
- 11.3. Review of the state of the art and specialist literature
- 11.4. Analysis of the applicable regulatory and technical framework
- 11.5. Methodology and work plan
- 11.6. Data collection, processing and validation
- 11.7. Technical development and analysis of results
- 11.8. Discussion, conclusions and future lines of work
- 11.9. Writing the final report to academic standards
- 11.10. Presentation and defense before the assessment panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Deep Scientific Diving
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 Deep Scientific Diving
Career opportunities after the Master's in Deep Scientific Diving
Questions about the Master's in Deep Scientific Diving
Deep scientific diving: the use of technical diving methods to collect scientific data in mesophotic and deep environments.
No. Navalis Institute teaches the subject; diving certifications such as trimix or CCR ratings are issued by recognized training agencies after their own practical courses.
Yes. A full module covers closed-circuit rebreathers, from loop components and PPO2 monitoring to failure diagnosis and bailout planning.
Yes. You study hyperbaric physiology, decompression sickness, barotrauma, hyperbaric first aid and recompression chamber operations.
Yes. One module deals with deep underwater archaeology, from survey and excavation to recording, conservation and the 2001 UNESCO Convention.
It is strongly recommended, as the program builds on existing diving skills; the admission interview reviews your background.
In the integrative project you plan a complete scientific diving expedition; the Final Project is an individual piece of applied research presented and defended at the end.
The master's comprises 1,500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each and ends with the Final Project. It is taught online through a virtual campus available 24/7, with recorded live sessions and tutorials.
More programs in Safety and survival
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at marine biologists and oceanographers who want to extend their research to greater depths, underwater archaeologists, marine conservation professionals monitoring deep ecosystems, technicians and engineers working with underwater equipment, and experienced divers. A degree in marine biology, marine sciences, underwater archaeology, oceanography, marine geology or a related field, or a professional diving background with scientific experience, is recommended. Prior diving certification and a logged diving history are advisable to make the most of the practical content.
- 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, decompression planning and photogrammetry software (free versions are sufficient) and a camera for live sessions.
- 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.