Ocean Health Indicators Course
This course prepares you to select, calculate and interpret ocean health indicators that show whether a sea or a coastline is improving or deteriorating. You will get to know the essential ocean variables, the most widely used composite indices, the criteria for good environmental status and the SDG 14 indicators, and you will learn to turn scattered data into useful dashboards for managers, businesses and the public.
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 Ocean Health Indicators Course?
This short course prepares you to measure what really matters about the state of the ocean. You will learn what an indicator is and what makes a good one, how the pressure-state-response model, baselines and reference values work, which international frameworks are used (essential ocean variables, SDG 14 targets, good environmental status assessments, global ocean assessments and composite ocean health indices), which physical, chemical and biological indicators describe the marine environment, and how to calculate, aggregate and analyze them from open data before turning them into reports and dashboards.
What sets this course apart: it is anchored in the international reference frameworks, from essential ocean variables to SDG 14 and good environmental status assessments; it offers an integrated view that combines physical, chemical, biological and social indicators; it moves from data to decision with clear dashboards for managers; it relies on open international data repositories; and it ends with a practical case in which you design an indicator system for a marine area.
Program highlights
- Reference frameworks: essential variables, SDG 14 and good environmental status assessments.
- Integrated view: physical, chemical, biological and social indicators.
- From data to decision: clear dashboards for managers.
- Open data: use of international ocean data repositories.
- Methodological rigor: time series, trends, aggregation and uncertainty.
- Practical case: design of an indicator system for a marine area.
Syllabus of the Ocean Health Indicators Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Foundations of environmental indicators
- 1.1. What an indicator is and what it is for
- 1.2. The pressure, state and response model
- 1.3. Properties of a good indicator
- 1.4. Baselines and reference values
- 1.5. Common mistakes in the use of indicators
International assessment frameworks
- 2.1. Essential ocean variables
- 2.2. SDG 14 targets and indicators
- 2.3. Good environmental status assessments
- 2.4. Global ocean assessments
- 2.5. Composite ocean health indices
Physical, chemical and biological indicators
- 3.1. Temperature and sea level
- 3.2. pH, oxygen and nutrients
- 3.3. Pollutants and marine litter
- 3.4. Biodiversity and indicator species
- 3.5. State of habitats and populations
Data and calculation
- 4.1. Open ocean data repositories
- 4.2. Processing time series
- 4.3. Normalization and aggregation
- 4.4. Trend analysis
- 4.5. Uncertainty and information gaps
Communication and use in management
- 5.1. Dashboard design
- 5.2. Marine environment status reports
- 5.3. Indicators for businesses
- 5.4. Participation and citizen science
- 5.5. Practical case: indicator system for a marine area
Duration and format of the Ocean Health Indicators Course
It is 300 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 Ocean Health Indicators Course
Career opportunities after the Ocean Health Indicators Course
Questions about the Ocean Health Indicators Course
Basic notions are enough. The course explains the methods you need step by step.
Yes. You work with international repositories of open ocean data.
Yes. It includes indicators that are useful for ocean-related sustainability reporting.
No. Several indicators and indices are combined; the course explains their advantages and limitations.
You design an indicator system and a dashboard for a marine area.
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 enroll.
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 environmental administration officers who assess the state of the marine environment, NGO and foundation professionals who track the progress of their projects, corporate sustainability managers who report impacts on the ocean, graduates in marine or environmental sciences seeking an applied specialization and data analysts who want to work with ocean information; studies or professional experience in marine sciences, the environment, data analysis or environmental project management are 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.