Professional Diploma in Operational Oceanography and Ocean Services

What is this programme?

This professional diploma prepares you to work with the systems that observe and forecast the ocean continuously. It introduces the operational oceanography chain: real-time observation networks, models for currents, waves and sea level, data assimilation and validation. You also learn to design ocean services for ports, navigation, search and rescue, energy, fishing and emergency management, using products such as those of the Copernicus Marine Service.

What makes the programme different: a view of the full chain, from observation to forecast to the service delivered to the user; practice with operational forecasts and open products; a user focus, designing services for ports, navigation and emergencies; quality metrics and forecast verification; and your own capstone project, designing an ocean service for a specific user.

This is a programme with its own certificate issued by Navalis Institute; it does not replace any official qualification.

Programme highlights

• Understand the full chain, from observation to the service delivered to the user.
• Practise with operational forecasts and open products.
• Design services for ports, navigation and emergencies.
• Apply quality metrics and forecast verification.
• Develop your own case study: an ocean service for a specific user.

Study plan

Duration and format

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 operational oceanography.
• Know the observation systems.
• Interpret forecasts.
• Validate products.
• Use existing services.
• Design ocean services.

Career outcomes

• Ocean forecasting technician in public and private met-ocean services.
• Operational data analyst, managing and quality-controlling real-time data.
• Port support technician, providing ocean information for port operations.
• Marine emergency specialist, in search and rescue and spill response.
• Ocean services consultant, designing products for maritime businesses.
• Offshore operations technician, planning work according to sea conditions.

Entry requirements

• Profile: a degree in Marine Sciences, Physics, Environmental Sciences, Nautical Science, Engineering or a related field, or experience in the maritime or port sector.
• Language: sufficient command of the language of instruction to follow the classes. Basic technical English is recommended.
• Equipment: a computer with a stable 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. Admission is provisional until the committee validates your documentation.

How to enrol