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Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Coral Reef Restoration
The Diploma in Coral Reef Restoration Prepares you to understand and apply coral reef restoration techniques in one of the ecosystems most threatened by ocean warming. You will study coral biology, bleaching and its causes, coral
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts9 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Coral Reef Restoration?
The Diploma in Coral Reef Restoration
Prepares you to understand and apply coral reef restoration techniques in one of the ecosystems most threatened by ocean warming. You will study coral biology, bleaching and its causes, coral nurseries, microfragmentation and assisted reproduction, and learn to design projects with rigorous monitoring, bearing in mind that restoration complements, but does not replace, action to reduce global and local pressures.
Key advantages
- A realistic view: What coral restoration can and cannot achieve.
- Current techniques: Nurseries, microfragmentation, larvae and artificial substrates.
- Climate focus: Selecting heat-tolerant corals and restoring in a warming ocean.
- Project management: Logistics, biosecurity, local communities and funding.
- Case study: A restoration project for a specific reef.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Understand the reef: Learn coral biology and symbiosis.
- Analyse threats: Study bleaching and other pressures.
- Master the techniques: Compare nurseries, fragmentation and larvae.
- Measure results: Apply indicators of survival and cover.
- Shape your career: Work in conservation, sustainable tourism and NGOs.
- Train to contribute to reef recovery with rigour and realistic expectations.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Coral Biology and Ecology
- Anatomy of the coral polyp
- Symbiosis with zooxanthellae
- Calcification and growth
- Hard and soft corals
- Asexual reproduction
- Spawning and sexual reproduction
- Reef structure
- Associated biodiversity
02
Threats to Coral Reefs
- Bleaching and heat stress
- Ocean acidification
- Coral diseases
- Pollution and sedimentation
- Overfishing and loss of grazers
- Predators such as crown-of-thorns starfish
- Physical damage and tourism
- Assessing reef condition
03
Principles of Coral Restoration
- What restoration is and is not
- Reducing local pressures
- Ecological and social objectives
- Scale of interventions
- Species selection
- Genetic diversity
- International good practice guidelines
- Common mistakes
04
Coral Nurseries and Gardening
- Types of nursery: fixed and floating
- Sourcing donor fragments
- Nursery maintenance
- Controlling algae and fouling
- Biosecurity and disease
- Outplanting to the reef
- Attachment techniques
- Survival after outplanting
05
Microfragmentation and Sexual Reproduction
- Microfragmentation and colony fusion
- Land-based culture
- Collecting gametes during spawning
- Larval rearing
- Settlement on substrates
- Seeding recruits
- Genetic benefits of sexual reproduction
- Limits to scaling up
06
Substrates, Structures and New Technologies
- Rubble stabilisation
- Artificial structures and their risks
- Substrates that promote settlement
- Experimental acoustic enrichment
- Heat-tolerant corals
- Assisted evolution research
- Robotics and automation
- Assessing emerging technologies
07
Monitoring and Project Management
- Designing the monitoring
- Survival and growth
- Coral cover
- Fish and grazers
- Reef photogrammetry
- Local community involvement
- Budget and funding
- Adaptive management
08
Case Study: Restoration Project for a Coral Reef
- Choosing the reef
- Assessing its condition
- Reducing local pressures
- Selecting techniques
- Nursery plan
- Monitoring programme
- Budget and stakeholders
- Presenting the project
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 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
Biologists and marine science graduates: who want to specialise in coral reefs Diving and tourism professionals: who take part in conservation programmes Marine protected area staff: who manage reef sites International NGO staff: who coordinate coastal conservation projects Environmental consultants: working in tropical and subtropical regions
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 coral biology
- 02Analyse threats
- 03Know the restoration techniques
- 04Manage coral nurseries
- 05Design monitoring
- 06Plan a project
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Reef restoration officer: Designing and delivering coral restoration projects.
02Coral nursery coordinator: Running nurseries in conservation programmes.
03Marine protected area manager: Reef conservation in protected sites.
04Sustainable tourism specialist: Conservation programmes with dive operators.
05NGO project officer: Coastal conservation projects in tropical regions.
06Reef monitoring specialist: Assessing reef condition and recovery.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Not on its own. It is a complementary tool that only works if local pressures and global warming are also reduced.
No. The programme neither includes nor replaces the diving qualifications needed to work underwater.
Yes, such as assisted evolution and robotics, presented as emerging lines of work still under research.
Yes. The content applies to reefs in any tropical or subtropical region.
A complete restoration project for a specific reef, with techniques, monitoring and budget.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 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 Diploma in Coral Reef Restoration 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
Entry profile: A degree in biology, marine science, environmental science or a related field; or professional experience in marine conservation, scientific diving or nature tourism. 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
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