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Masters · 1500 h · 11 modules
Master's in Ocean Geoengineering and Marine CO2 Removal
The Master's in Ocean Geoengineering and Marine CO2 Removal Prepares you to assess rigorously the marine CO2 removal techniques now being researched as a complement to cutting emissions. You will study ocean carbon chemistry, ocea
Duration1500 h
FormatOnline
Starts23 November
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Ocean Geoengineering and Marine CO2 Removal?
The Master's in Ocean Geoengineering and Marine CO2 Removal
Prepares you to assess rigorously the marine CO2 removal techniques now being researched as a complement to cutting emissions. You will study ocean carbon chemistry, ocean alkalinity enhancement, blue carbon, biomass sinking and electrochemical capture, together with their environmental risks, measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems and the international governance framework, so that you can analyse projects with scientific judgement and without unfounded promises.
Key advantages
- Scientific rigour: Each technique is examined through its chemistry, potential and uncertainties.
- A critical eye: Environmental risks, side effects and the limits of current knowledge.
- MRV at the core: How to measure and verify removed carbon credibly.
- Governance and ethics: The international framework, social licence and public engagement.
- Your own project: A technical, environmental and regulatory assessment of a marine CO2 project.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,500 hours
Modules
11
Programme highlights
- Master the chemistry: Understand the carbonate system and ocean CO2 uptake.
- Compare techniques: Assess biotic and abiotic approaches using consistent criteria.
- Measure and verify: Design MRV plans based on observations and models.
- Anticipate risks: Analyse ecological impacts and unintended effects.
- Boost your career: Open doors to research centres, start-ups and climate consultancies.
- Train to separate sound science from hype in a field that is still developing.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
The Ocean and the Global Carbon Cycle
- The global carbon budget
- The ocean as a carbon sink
- Air-sea CO2 exchange
- The solubility pump
- The biological carbon pump
- Dissolved and particulate organic carbon
- Storage in sediments
- Timescales of permanence
- How the sink responds to climate change
- Why CO2 removal is being studied
02
Carbonate System Chemistry
- Carbonate equilibria
- pH, alkalinity and inorganic carbon
- Seawater buffering capacity
- Calcium carbonate saturation
- Ocean acidification
- Measuring carbonate parameters
- Calculations with open tools
- Natural variability of the system
- Chemistry in coastal waters
- Common interpretation errors
03
The Marine CO2 Removal Landscape
- Mitigation versus removal
- Classifying marine approaches
- Technology readiness levels
- Theoretical versus realistic potential
- Durability of storage
- Scalability and constraints
- Key international assessments
- Role in IPCC scenarios
- The risk of mitigation deterrence
- Current research agenda
04
Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement
- Chemical basis of alkalinity enhancement
- Alkaline minerals and materials
- Enhanced coastal weathering
- Addition at treatment plants
- Secondary carbonate precipitation
- Effects on marine organisms
- Dispersion and mixing in the ocean
- Quantifying additional CO2 uptake
- Laboratory and field experiments
- Scale-up challenges
05
Biological Approaches and Blue Carbon
- Blue carbon in mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass
- Restoring coastal ecosystems
- Large-scale seaweed cultivation
- Sinking biomass to the deep sea
- Nutrient fertilisation
- Artificial upwelling
- Uncertainties of biotic approaches
- Nutrient robbing and remote effects
- Biodiversity co-benefits
- Lessons from past experiments
06
Electrochemical and Engineered Approaches
- Direct CO2 capture from seawater
- Electrochemical acid and alkali processes
- Integration with desalination plants
- Integration with power plants
- Renewable energy requirements
- Products and by-products
- Geological storage of captured CO2
- Life cycle assessment
- Costs and learning curves
- Status of pilot projects
07
Environmental Risks and Impacts
- Environmental impact assessment framework
- Effects on plankton
- Effects on calcifying organisms
- Trace metals and impurities
- Changes in turbidity and light
- Deoxygenation and deep-water effects
- Interaction with fisheries and aquaculture
- Cumulative effects
- Ecological monitoring
- The precautionary principle
08
Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV)
- Principles of an MRV system
- Baselines and additionality
- Direct measurement at sea
- The role of ocean models
- Uncertainty and safety margins
- Permanence and reversal
- Leakage and indirect effects
- Independent verification
- Transparency and open data
- Designing an MRV plan
09
Governance, Law and Markets
- The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
- The London Convention and Protocol
- The Convention on Biological Diversity
- National regulation of activities at sea
- Permits for field experiments
- Voluntary carbon markets
- Certification methodologies and standards
- Integrity of carbon credits
- Accounting in national inventories
- Liability and redress
10
Ethics, Society and Communication
- Ethics of intervening in the ocean
- Climate justice and the distribution of risk
- Engaging coastal communities
- Social licence to operate
- Public perceptions of geoengineering
- Communicating uncertainty
- Avoiding greenwashing
- Responsible research
- Research governance
- Dialogue between science, business and society
11
Master's Final Project: Assessment of a Marine CO2 Project
- Choosing the technique and site
- Review of the state of knowledge
- Oceanographic characterisation of the site
- Estimating removal potential
- Life cycle assessment
- Environmental risk assessment
- Designing the MRV plan
- Regulatory and social analysis
- 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, chemistry, physics or engineering: who want to specialise in carbon removal Professionals at climate companies and in carbon markets: who assess projects and methodologies Public administration and agency staff: who must regulate or permit experiments at sea Environmental consultants: who analyse the impacts of new marine technologies Researchers: who want to b
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 the ocean carbon cycle
- 02Analyse removal techniques
- 03Assess environmental risks
- 04Design MRV systems
- 05Know the governance framework
- 06Judge project feasibility
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Carbon removal analyst: Technical assessment of projects and methodologies.
02MRV specialist: Designing measurement and verification systems.
03Carbon markets consultant: Assessing the integrity of projects and credits.
04Marine environmental assessment specialist: Impact studies for new marine technologies.
05Climate policy adviser: Supporting governments and public agencies.
06Ocean carbon researcher: Projects at universities and research centres.
Questions
Entry Requirements
No. Most are at the research or pilot stage. The programme analyses them with their uncertainties, not as proven solutions.
No. They are studied as a possible complement, never as an alternative to reducing emissions.
It is not essential. The programme covers the basics of marine carbon chemistry.
Yes. You use open oceanographic data, published results and freely available calculation tools.
A technical, environmental, regulatory and social assessment of a marine CO2 removal project.
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 Geoengineering and Marine CO2 Removal 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, chemistry, physics, environmental science, engineering or a related field; or proven professional experience in the climate, 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
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