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Course · 300 h · 5 modules
Course in Ocean Circulation and Climate
The Course in Ocean Circulation and Climate Prepares you to understand how the ocean moves and why that movement is essential to the planet’s climate. You will study wind-driven currents, thermohaline circulation and the Atlantic
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts16 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Course in Ocean Circulation and Climate?
The Course in Ocean Circulation and Climate
Prepares you to understand how the ocean moves and why that movement is essential to the planet’s climate. You will study wind-driven currents, thermohaline circulation and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, modes of variability such as El Niño, and the ocean’s role in transporting heat and carbon around the globe, as well as what science does and does not yet know about how the circulation may change in the future.
Key advantages
- Clear concepts: Ocean physics explained rigorously, without excessive maths.
- Climate and ocean together: How circulation shapes regional and global climate.
- Up-to-date science: Grounded in the IPCC assessments.
- Real data: Exploring current and temperature products.
- Case study: Analysing the ocean’s influence on a region’s climate.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Programme highlights
- Understand currents: Grasp wind-driven circulation.
- Explore the deep ocean: Study thermohaline circulation.
- Analyse variability: Learn about El Niño and other climate modes.
- Weigh up the future: Interpret projections and their uncertainties.
- Boost your career: Strengthen your profile in marine science, climate and communication.
- Train to understand the great conveyor belt that regulates Earth’s climate.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Fundamentals of Ocean Dynamics
- Properties of seawater
- Density and stratification
- The effect of Earth’s rotation
- Geostrophic balance
- Ekman transport
02
Wind-Driven Circulation
- Subtropical and subpolar gyres
- Western boundary currents
- Coastal and equatorial upwelling
- Equatorial currents
- Mesoscale eddies
03
Thermohaline Circulation and the Deep Ocean
- Water mass formation
- North Atlantic Deep Water
- Antarctic Bottom Water
- The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
- Deep ocean renewal times
04
Climate Variability and the Ocean
- El Niño-Southern Oscillation
- The North Atlantic Oscillation
- Pacific decadal variability
- Climate teleconnections
- Seasonal forecasting
05
The Ocean in a Changing Climate
- Heat transport and storage
- The ocean as a carbon sink
- Observed changes in circulation
- Projections and scientific debate
- Case study: the ocean’s influence on a region’s climate
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, physics or geography: who want a stronger grounding in physical oceanography Environmental and climate specialists: who need to understand ocean dynamics Maritime sector professionals: interested in the link between ocean and climate Secondary school and university teachers: who teach Earth sciences Science communicators: who explain climate change
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
- 01Describe ocean circulation
- 02Explain its mechanisms
- 03Understand deep circulation
- 04Analyse climate variability
- 05Appreciate the ocean’s climate role
- 06Interpret projections
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Physical oceanography assistant: Supporting analysis of currents and water masses.
02Climate analyst: Interpreting climate variability.
03Science teacher: Up-to-date teaching on ocean and climate.
04Science communicator: Communicating ocean science.
Questions
Entry Requirements
No. Concepts are explained intuitively, with only the essential equations.
Yes. It explains what observations and models indicate, and why uncertainty remains.
Yes. You explore open products on currents, temperature and salinity.
Yes. It provides a solid, up-to-date basis for teaching oceanography and climate.
An analysis of how ocean circulation influences the climate of a chosen region.
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 Ocean Circulation and Climate 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, physics, geography, the environment, the maritime sector or teaching. 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.