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Masters · 1500 h · 11 modules
Master's in Ocean Climate Science and Global Change Modelling
The Master's in Ocean Climate Science and Global Change Modelling Prepares you to understand and model the role of the ocean in the climate system. You will study ocean physics and chemistry, the carbon cycle, ocean warming and se
Duration1500 h
FormatOnline
Starts30 November
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Ocean Climate Science and Global Change Modelling?
The Master's in Ocean Climate Science and Global Change Modelling
Prepares you to understand and model the role of the ocean in the climate system. You will study ocean physics and chemistry, the carbon cycle, ocean warming and sea level rise, climate models and IPCC scenarios, and learn to turn that science into useful information for governments, ports, shipping companies and businesses.
Key advantages
- Applied science: From how the ocean works to the climate services used by companies and public bodies.
- Real modelling: Hands-on work with data and open climate model outputs.
- The full picture: Physics, chemistry, biology and society in one programme.
- Career focus: Climate risk, adaptation and planning in the maritime sector.
- Your own project: A climate impact study of a real coastal area or activity.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,500 hours
Modules
11
Programme highlights
- Understand the ocean: Grasp the role of the ocean in the planet’s climate.
- Model the future: Work with climate models and emissions scenarios.
- Analyse data: Use satellite, buoy and reanalysis data.
- Communicate risk: Turn science into information for decision-making.
- Boost your career: Open doors to research centres, consultancies and public bodies.
- Train to interpret and anticipate the ocean’s climate at a decisive moment for the planet.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
The Ocean in the Climate System
- Components of the climate system
- Earth’s energy balance
- The ocean as a heat store
- Ocean-atmosphere interaction
- Global ocean circulation
- The ocean and the water cycle
- Natural climate variability
- El Niño and other modes of variability
- Marine palaeoclimate records
- Evidence of climate change in the ocean
02
Ocean Physics
- Properties of seawater
- Temperature, salinity and density
- Wind-driven currents
- Thermohaline circulation
- Mixing and ocean layers
- Waves and tides
- Ocean eddies
- Western boundary currents
- Coastal upwelling
- Physics of the polar regions
03
Marine Chemistry and the Carbon Cycle
- The carbonate system
- Ocean CO2 uptake
- The biological carbon pump
- The solubility pump
- Ocean acidification
- Deoxygenation
- Nutrients and productivity
- Coastal blue carbon
- Sediments and long-term storage
- Carbon cycle feedbacks
04
Ocean Observation
- Altimetry and temperature satellites
- Argo floats and profilers
- Oceanographic moorings
- Ships of opportunity
- Gliders and autonomous vehicles
- Tide gauge networks
- International databases
- Data quality control
- Ocean reanalyses
- Designing observation campaigns
05
Climate Modelling
- Fundamentals of numerical models
- Ocean models
- Coupled ocean-atmosphere models
- Resolution and parameterisations
- CMIP projects
- IPCC emissions scenarios
- Downscaling models
- Model evaluation
- Uncertainty and model ensembles
- Open modelling tools
06
Ocean Warming and Sea Level Rise
- Ocean warming
- Thermal expansion
- Melting glaciers and ice sheets
- Sea level rise projections
- Regional sea level variations
- Storm surges
- Extreme coastal events
- Coastal erosion and flooding
- High-impact scenarios
- Indicators for planning
07
Marine Ecosystems and Climate Change
- Ecosystem responses to warming
- Species range shifts
- Marine heatwaves
- Coral reefs and bleaching
- Seagrass meadows and kelp forests
- Impacts on fisheries
- Changes in plankton
- Polar ecosystems
- Tipping points
- Ecosystem resilience and adaptation
08
Climate Data Analysis
- Programming for climate science
- Climate data formats
- Time series and trends
- Statistical analysis of extremes
- Mapping and visualisation
- Comparing models and observations
- Climate indicators
- Machine learning for climate
- Scientific reproducibility
- Data analysis project
09
Climate Risk and Adaptation in the Maritime Sector
- Climate risk: hazard, exposure and vulnerability
- Risk to ports and infrastructure
- Risk to shipping and routes
- Risk to aquaculture and fisheries
- Insurance and climate risk
- Coastal adaptation plans
- Nature-based solutions
- Climate risk disclosure standards
- Cost-benefit analysis of adaptation
- Adaptation case studies worldwide
10
Climate Services, Policy and Communication
- What climate services are
- Copernicus and marine services
- Designing products for users
- International climate governance
- The ocean in climate negotiations
- The UN Ocean Decade
- Communicating risk and uncertainty
- Science communication
- Ethics of climate information
- Knowledge transfer
11
Master's Final Project: Ocean Climate Impact Study
- Choosing the area or activity to study
- Review of the scientific evidence
- Obtaining observed data
- Selecting models and scenarios
- Analysing current trends
- Projecting future impacts
- Risk assessment
- Proposing adaptation measures
- Writing the dissertation
- Defence before a panel
Workload
Study Time and Workload
1500 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Graduates in marine science, physics, environmental science or engineering: who want to specialise in ocean climate Public administration and agency staff: working on adaptation and planning Port, shipping and insurance professionals: who need to assess climate risk Environmental consultants: producing impact and adaptation studies Researchers and lecturers: looking to update their modelli
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand ocean dynamics
- 02Analyse the marine carbon cycle
- 03Work with climate models
- 04Handle ocean data
- 05Assess impacts
- 06Design climate services
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Climate data scientist: Analysis and modelling at research centres and companies.
02Climate risk consultant: Studies for ports, shipping companies, insurers and banks.
03Coastal adaptation specialist: Adaptation plans in public administration.
04Climate services specialist: Designing climate information products.
05Sustainability analyst: Climate risk disclosure in companies.
06Science communicator: Communicating climate and ocean science.
Questions
Entry Requirements
It is not essential. The programme includes an introduction to climate data analysis tools.
Yes. You use satellite, buoy and reanalysis data, plus open climate model outputs.
Yes. Climate risk is a priority for ports, shipping companies, insurers, banks and public bodies.
This one focuses on the ocean and long-term climate, not on weather forecasting.
A climate impact study of a real coastal area or maritime activity, using data and scenarios.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 1500 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Master's in Ocean Climate Science and Global Change Modelling qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/professional profile: A degree in marine science, physics, mathematics, environmental science, geography, engineering or a related field; or proven professional experience in the environmental or maritime sector. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.