Underwater Acoustics and Bioacoustics Course
This course prepares you to understand and measure sound in the ocean. You will study how sound travels through seawater, recording equipment such as hydrophones and autonomous recorders, spectrogram analysis and the passive acoustic monitoring of cetaceans, fish and invertebrates, as well as the impact of underwater noise from ships, construction works and marine energy and the measures used to measure and reduce it.
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 Underwater Acoustics and Bioacoustics Course?
This short course prepares you to listen to the ocean and understand what its soundscape is telling us. You will learn how the speed of sound, attenuation, absorption and sound channels shape propagation in seawater and how decibels and reference levels are used, how hydrophones and autonomous recorders are selected, calibrated and deployed on moorings, buoys, mobile platforms and gliders, how signals are digitised and analyzed with the Fourier transform, spectrograms and automatic detection, how cetaceans, fish and invertebrates produce and use sound, and how noise from shipping, pile driving and marine works affects wildlife and can be mitigated.
What sets this course apart: physics and biology brought together, from sound propagation to the acoustic behavior of species; open tools for analyzing recordings with free software; exercises with real recordings of cetaceans, fish and ships; an environmental focus on underwater noise and its management in marine projects; and a practical case in which you analyze a set of underwater recordings.
Program highlights
- Physics and biology together: from sound propagation to the acoustic behavior of species.
- Open tools: analysis of recordings with free software.
- Real recordings: exercises with sounds of cetaceans, fish and ships.
- Passive acoustic monitoring: from equipment deployment to species detection.
- Environmental focus: underwater noise and its management in marine projects.
- Practical case: the analysis of a set of underwater recordings.
Syllabus of the Underwater Acoustics and Bioacoustics Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of underwater acoustics
- 1.1. The nature of sound
- 1.2. Speed of sound in seawater
- 1.3. Attenuation and absorption
- 1.4. Acoustic channels and sound speed profile
- 1.5. Decibels and reference levels
Measurement and recording equipment
- 2.1. Hydrophones and their sensitivity
- 2.2. Autonomous recorders
- 2.3. Equipment calibration
- 2.4. Deployment on moorings and buoys
- 2.5. Mobile platforms and gliders
Acoustic signal analysis
- 3.1. Sampling and digitisation
- 3.2. The Fourier transform
- 3.3. Spectrograms
- 3.4. Automatic signal detection
- 3.5. Free analysis software
Marine bioacoustics
- 4.1. Cetacean sounds
- 4.2. Echolocation
- 4.3. Sounds of fish and invertebrates
- 4.4. Marine soundscapes
- 4.5. Passive acoustic monitoring
Underwater noise and environmental management
- 5.1. Noise from ships and maritime traffic
- 5.2. Pile driving and marine works
- 5.3. Effects of noise on wildlife
- 5.4. Mitigation measures
- 5.5. Practical case: analysis of a set of recordings
Duration and format of the Underwater Acoustics and Bioacoustics 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 Underwater Acoustics and Bioacoustics Course
Career opportunities after the Underwater Acoustics and Bioacoustics Course
Questions about the Underwater Acoustics and Bioacoustics Course
Basic notions are recommended; acoustic concepts are explained from the beginning.
Free tools for audio and spectrogram analysis, plus examples in Python.
Yes. You use recordings of cetaceans, fish and ships from open acoustic libraries.
No. The course does not replace any training or certification that the authorities may require in each country.
You analyze a set of underwater recordings to identify sound sources and characterize the noise.
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.
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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 graduates in biology, marine sciences or physics who want to specialize in marine acoustics, environmental consultancy technicians who assess noise from marine projects, marine wildlife observers who want to add acoustics to their work, engineers interested in acoustics applied to the marine environment and marine mammal researchers who need acoustic monitoring techniques; students or graduates in biology, marine sciences, physics, engineering or related fields, or professionals in the marine environmental sector, are welcome.
- 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.