Tides and Waves Course
This course gives you a thorough understanding of tides and waves, two of the natural phenomena with the greatest influence on navigation, ports and coastlines. You will learn how astronomical and meteorological tides are generated and predicted, how wind waves and swell form, propagate and transform as they approach the coast, how they are measured with tide gauges, buoys and radar, and how to apply all of this to routes, berthing, maneuvers, coastal structures and risk management.
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 Tides and Waves Course?
This short course covers the physics of tides and waves and its practical application at sea and on the coast. You will study gravitational and atmospheric forcing, types of tide and harmonic constituents, storm surge and its combination with the astronomical tide, wave generation by wind, fetch and duration, the difference between wind sea and swell, spectral description and significant wave height, refraction, diffraction, shoaling, reflection and breaking, wave loads on structures and vessels, extreme sea states and return periods, and the instruments and data processing used for monitoring and forecasting.
What sets this course apart: a constant link between physical principles and operational decisions, such as when to enter port, berth, maneuver or work on the coast; practical work with real tide and wave series, quality control and the combination of observations with forecast models; attention to extreme events and to the effects of sea level rise on coastal risk; case studies of navigation, port operations and coastal erosion; and a final project in which you analyze the tide and wave climate of a real area and propose operational windows or mitigation measures.
Program highlights
- Physics of tides: gravitational forcing, tidal types and harmonic constituents.
- Storm surge: the effect of wind and pressure and its combination with the astronomical tide.
- Waves: generation by wind, wind sea and swell, spectra and significant wave height.
- Transformation near the coast: refraction, diffraction, shoaling, reflection and breaking.
- Measurement: tide gauges, pressure sensors, wave buoys, ADCP and wave radar.
- Final project: tide and wave analysis of a real area with operational windows.
Syllabus of the Tides and Waves Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Physical fundamentals of marine dynamics: generation, propagation and behavior of tides and waves in coastal and ocean environments
- 1.1. Physical principles of the marine environment: gravity, density, pressure and astronomical and atmospheric forcing applied to surface dynamics
- 1.2. Fundamentals of tides: gravitational attraction, lunar and solar effects, periodicity and the global and regional ocean response
- 1.3. Fundamentals of waves: generation by wind, energy transfer, fetch, duration and growth of the wind sea
- 1.4. Differences between wind sea and swell: origin, spectral behavior and relevance for navigation and the coast
- 1.5. Essential descriptive variables: height, period, wavelength, celerity, phase and direction of propagation
Astronomical and meteorological tides: harmonic analysis, water levels and operational applications for navigation and the coast
- 2.1. Types of tide: semidiurnal, diurnal, mixed and regional features in different coastal domains
- 2.2. Harmonic tidal constituents: physical interpretation, harmonic analysis and prediction of water levels
- 2.3. Meteorological tides and storm surge: the effect of wind, atmospheric pressure and extreme events on sea level
- 2.4. Interaction between the astronomical tide and meteorological forcing: superposition, amplification and operational risks
- 2.5. Measuring and recording tides: tide gauges, pressure sensors, time series and data quality control
Waves: spectral characterization, transformation near the coast and effects on navigation, maritime works and the shoreline
- 3.1. Statistical and spectral description of waves: significant wave height, characteristic periods, energy and spectra
- 3.2. Wave propagation in deep and intermediate water: dispersion, wave groups and energy transport
- 3.3. Wave transformation towards the coast: refraction, diffraction, shoaling, reflection and breaking
- 3.4. Interaction of waves with structures and vessels: loads, induced motions, comfort and operational safety
- 3.5. Extreme waves and sea storms: severe events, return periods and design and operating criteria
Instruments, observation and measurement techniques for tides and waves for monitoring, forecasting and operational control
- 4.1. Sea level instruments: tide gauges, surface radar, submerged pressure sensors and coastal stations
- 4.2. Wave instruments: buoys, ADCP, wave radar, inertial sensors and multi-parameter platforms
- 4.3. Designing observation campaigns: siting, duration, representativeness and monitoring objectives
- 4.4. Processing and cleaning metocean data: filtering, validation, outlier detection and temporal consistency
- 4.5. Integrating observed data with forecast models: calibration, validation and improvement of operational forecasts
Final project: analysis, prediction and operational application of tides and waves in a real or simulated case
- 5.1. Defining the case study: maritime or coastal area, operational problem, technical objectives and variables of interest
- 5.2. Collecting and organizing baseline information: tide series, wave data, bathymetry and meteorological conditions
- 5.3. Analyzing the tidal regime and wave climate: dominant patterns, extremes, seasonality and associated risks
- 5.4. Drawing up an applied diagnosis: implications for navigation, port operations, the coast or maritime infrastructure
- 5.5. Developing a technical forecasting or management proposal: operational windows, mitigation measures or design criteria
Duration and format of the Tides and Waves 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 Tides and Waves Course
Career opportunities after the Tides and Waves Course
Questions about the Tides and Waves Course
Tides are caused by the gravitational attraction of the Moon and the Sun and change the sea level over hours, while waves are generated mainly by wind and move the sea surface over seconds. The course also covers storm surge, which links the two.
Yes. Module 2 explains harmonic constituents and how they are used to predict water levels, and how to correct those predictions for meteorological effects such as storm surge.
Yes. The principles apply directly to passage planning, entering and leaving port, anchoring and choosing safe weather windows, as well as to professional and coastal work.
No. Basic physics and mathematics are enough; the course focuses on understanding the processes and applying the data rather than on complex derivations.
Through practical exercises with real tide and wave data in each module and a final project in which you analyze a real or simulated area and propose operational windows or mitigation measures.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded, downloadable materials, discussion forums 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 project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at recreational and professional sailors, fishers, surfers and water-sports practitioners, students of oceanography, marine biology and environmental sciences, and coastal engineers and environmental consultants; basic knowledge of physics and mathematics, or experience of sea-related activities such as navigation, fishing or research, 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 spreadsheet application for working with tide and wave series.
- 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.