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Professional Diploma in Applied Marine Microbiology

This professional diploma prepares you to work with marine microorganisms and harness their potential across different industrial sectors. You will learn culturing, analytical and molecular methods, with applications in biotechnology, aquaculture and biofouling.

100% online800 hours8 modulesTaught in EnglishEnrol any time

What is this programme?

This professional diploma prepares you to work with marine microorganisms and harness their potential across different sectors. It covers the diversity and ecology of marine bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses and microalgae, and teaches isolation, culturing and identification techniques alongside current molecular tools. Applications span aquaculture, seafood safety, biotechnology and environmental management, with a practical approach focused on solving real problems.

What sets the programme apart: a practical approach, working with protocols and cases applied to real problems in the sector; current techniques, combining classical culturing with molecular tools; several sectors, covering aquaculture, food, health, biotechnology and the environment; biosafety, including good laboratory practice and quality control; and a case study consisting of a microbiological investigation applied to a specific situation.

Programme highlights

  • Study of the marine microbiome.
  • Isolation, culturing and identification of microorganisms.
  • Use of PCR and sequencing.
  • Application of microbiology to aquaculture and quality control.
  • Career paths in laboratories, aquaculture companies and research centres.

Study plan

01Marine Microbial Diversity and Ecology100 h
Marine bacteria and archaea. Marine viruses. Marine fungi. Protists and microalgae. The microbial loop. Biogeochemical cycles. Marine biofilms. Symbiotic microorganisms.
02Isolation and Culturing Techniques100 h
Sample collection and preservation. Marine culture media. Plating and isolation. Culturing anaerobes. Culturing microalgae. Microbial counts. Strain preservation. Hard-to-culture microorganisms.
03Identification and Molecular Techniques100 h
Microscopy and staining. Biochemical tests. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. DNA extraction. PCR and quantitative PCR. 16S gene sequencing. Metabarcoding. Interpretation of results.
04Aquaculture Microbiology100 h
Microbiota of fish and molluscs. Bacterial pathogens. Viral diseases. Disease diagnosis. Responsible use of antibiotics. Probiotics in aquaculture. Vaccines in aquaculture. Microbiological water quality.
05Seafood Safety100 h
Microbiota of fishery products. Vibrio and other pathogens. Norovirus in molluscs. Histamine and spoilage. Control of bivalve molluscs. HACCP systems. Microbiological criteria. Shelf life.
06Marine Environmental Microbiology100 h
Faecal contamination indicators. Bathing water quality. Biodegradation of pollutants. Biocorrosion and biofouling. Harmful algal blooms. Sediment microbiology. Antimicrobial resistance in the environment. Environmental monitoring.
07Biotechnological Applications and Biosafety100 h
Microbial enzymes. Antimicrobial compounds. Biosurfactants. Microorganisms for bioprocesses. Laboratory biosafety. Biological waste management. Quality control. ISO 17025 laboratory standards.
08Case Study: Applied Microbiological Investigation100 h
Problem definition. Sampling design. Selection of techniques. Data analysis. Interpretation of results. Proposal of measures. Report writing. Case presentation.

Duration and format

800hours in total
8modules of 100 hours
100%online, at your own pace
Openenrolment all year round

At 10 hours a week you would finish in about 80 weeks; at 20 hours a week, in about 40.

What you will learn

  • Understand marine microbial diversity.
  • Apply culturing techniques.
  • Identify microorganisms.
  • Control pathogens.
  • Apply microbiology in practice.
  • Work safely.

Career outcomes

  • Microbiology laboratory technician.
  • Health manager in aquaculture.
  • Quality technician in the fishing and seafood industry.
  • Environmental monitoring technician.
  • Biotechnology R&D technician.
  • Research assistant.

Entry requirements

  • A degree or higher vocational qualification in a related field (biology, marine sciences, biotechnology, veterinary science, food science or laboratory work), or professional laboratory experience.
  • A sufficient command of the language of instruction; basic technical English is recommended.
  • A computer, a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera.
  • Admission process: online application, profile review and a short interview.

How to enrol

Enrol online

Complete your enrolment on this page, or apply through admissions if you prefer to talk to us first.

Receive your access

We send you the details to enter the virtual campus and start the programme.

Study at your pace

Work through the modules when it suits you and complete the programme from anywhere in the world.

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