Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Course · 300 h · 5 modules
Course in Marine Heatwaves and Their Effects
The Course in Marine Heatwaves and Their Effects Prepares you to identify, analyse and communicate marine heatwaves, periods of unusually high sea temperature that have become more frequent in recent decades. You will learn to det
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts30 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
Prior Knowledge Assessment
These are the skills this programme builds. Tick the ones you already have and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is really for you.
Your profile
Tick what you already know to see your result.
Programme overview
What is the Course in Marine Heatwaves and Their Effects?
The Course in Marine Heatwaves and Their Effects
Prepares you to identify, analyse and communicate marine heatwaves, periods of unusually high sea temperature that have become more frequent in recent decades. You will learn to detect them using satellite and buoy data, understand their physical drivers and assess their effects on ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture, so that you can support early warning systems and practical response measures in the areas where you work.
Key advantages
- An emerging topic: A key phenomenon for today’s marine management.
- A reproducible method: Event detection using internationally accepted criteria.
- Open data: Working with sea surface temperature records.
- Focus on impacts: From corals to aquaculture.
- Case study: Analysis of a real event using public data.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Programme highlights
- Detect events: Apply threshold-based detection methods.
- Understand the drivers: Link events to ocean-atmosphere dynamics.
- Assess impacts: Analyse effects on species and activities.
- Communicate risk: Prepare clear bulletins and alerts.
- Boost your career: Apply what you learn in research, management and aquaculture.
- Train to anticipate one of the climate extremes that is changing the ocean the most.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
What Marine Heatwaves Are
- Definition and detection criteria
- Climatologies and thresholds
- Intensity categories
- Surface and subsurface heatwaves
- Observed trends and projections
02
Drivers and Dynamics
- Air-sea heat fluxes
- Persistent high-pressure systems
- Advection by currents
- The influence of El Niño and other modes
- The role of long-term warming
03
Detection and Monitoring with Data
- Satellite sea surface temperature
- Buoys, moorings and profilers
- Open detection tools
- Calculating event metrics
- Monitoring and forecasting services
04
Ecological Impacts
- Coral bleaching
- Die-offs in seagrass and kelp forests
- Species range shifts
- Harmful algal blooms
- Effects on seabirds and marine mammals
05
Socio-economic Impacts and Response
- Effects on fisheries
- Effects on aquaculture
- Early warning systems
- Management and adaptation measures
- Case study: analysing a real event
Workload
Study Time and Workload
300 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, biology or environmental science: who want to specialise in ocean extremes Aquaculture and fisheries staff: who need to anticipate heat events Marine protected area managers: who monitor sensitive ecosystems Environmental agency staff: who design marine monitoring programmes Science communicators and environmental journalists: who report on the ocean
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
- 01Define marine heatwaves
- 02Detect events with data
- 03Explain their drivers
- 04Assess ecological impacts
- 05Assess socio-economic impacts
- 06Propose responses
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Oceanographic monitoring officer: Tracking temperature and extreme events.
02Aquaculture adviser: Response plans for heat events.
03Protected area officer: Monitoring sensitive ecosystems.
04Science communicator: Communicating ocean extremes.
Questions
Entry Requirements
It is not essential. Simple, optional tools for data analysis are demonstrated.
Yes. You work with publicly available sea temperature records.
Yes. It covers the effects on farmed stocks and possible responses.
Experimental short- and medium-range forecasts exist; the course explains their usefulness and limits.
Analysing a real event: detection, metrics, drivers and impacts.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 300 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 Course in Marine Heatwaves and Their Effects 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: University studies or professional experience in marine science, the environment, fisheries, aquaculture or science communication. 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.