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Masters · 1600 h · 11 modules
Master's in Physical Oceanography and Marine Modeling
Immerse yourself in the study of the physical processes that govern the oceans, from surface currents to the abyssal depths. Learn to use and develop state-of-the-art numerical models to understand and predict ocean behavior, its…
Duration1600 h
FormatOnline
Starts28 December
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Physical Oceanography and Marine Modeling?
The Master's in Physical Oceanography and Marine Modeling
Immerse yourself in the study of the physical processes that govern the oceans, from surface currents to the abyssal depths. Learn to use and develop state-of-the-art numerical models to understand and predict ocean behavior, its interaction with the atmosphere, and its impact on the global climate. This program provides you with the necessary tools to address crucial challenges such as climate change, the sustainable management of marine resources, and the prediction of extreme events.
Differential Advantages
- Comprehensive Training: Covers everything from fundamental theory to practical applications in oceanography.
- Advanced Modeling: Master ocean modeling techniques and their implementation on supercomputers.
- Oceanographic Data: Learn to analyze and interpret large observational and simulated datasets.
- Applied Research: Participate in cutting-edge research projects in collaboration with leading institutions.
- Career Opportunities: Open doors to careers in research, environmental management, marine energy, and consulting.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,600 hours
Modules
11
Start date
08-12-2026
Programme highlights
- In-depth Analysis: Master ocean physics, from currents to tides, and their impact on global climate.
- Advanced Modeling: Learn to create and use numerical models to predict the behavior of the ocean and its ecosystems.
- Oceanographic Data: Acquire skills in managing and analyzing large oceanographic datasets.
- Practical Applications: Develop innovative solutions for coastal management, climate change mitigation, and marine resource exploration.
- Cutting-Edge Research: Participate in state-of-the-art research projects and contribute to the advancement of oceanographic knowledge.
- Boost your career as an expert in the study and protection of our oceans.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Coastal dynamics and numerical modelling for the prediction of extreme ocean phenomena
- Physical fundamentals of coastal dynamics: Coriolis forces, Ekman effect and pressure gradients in coastal areas
- Coastal hydrodynamic processes: waves, tidal currents, coastal circulation and thermal stratification
- Atmosphere-oceanic interaction: Momentum transfer, heat exchange and mixing processes in coastal zones
- Numerical modelling applied to coastal dynamics: mathematical formulation, discretization and resolution techniques
- Implementation of hydrodynamic models: input parametres, initial and boundary conditions in open and semi-closed systems
- Wave and storm prediction models: integration of observational and satellite data for forecast improvement
- Numerical simulation of extreme ocean phenomena: surge surges, tsunamis and coastal flood events
- Validation and calibration of coastal models: statistical techniques, sensitivity analysis and uncertainty assessment
- Practical applications in risk management: design of early warning systems and mitigation plans in the face of extreme phenomena
- Case studies and analysis of recent events: methodology, results and lessons for continuous improvement of coastal modelling
02
Advanced Foundations of Oceanic Hydrodynamics and Applied Computational Simulation Techniques
- Fundamental Principles of Oceanic Hydrodynamics: Analysis of Coriolis Forces, Hydrostatic Pressure and Geostrophic Gradients in Marine Environments
- Basic and advanced movement equations: Derivation and application of Navier-Stokes equations in marine fluids and their simplification through geophysical approaches
- Vorticity and turbulence dynamics in ocean fluids: mechanisms of generation, transport and dissipation at Meso and sub-meso scales
- Mathematical models of ocean circulation: numerical techniques for solving three-dimensional and coupled hydrodynamic models
- Advanced computational simulation: Use of finite element methods and finite volumes in the spatial and temporal discretization of marine dynamics
- Analysis and validation of modeled data: integration of satellite observations, buoys and CTD profiles for the calibration and verification of oceanographic models
- Modelling of tidal currents and coastal circulation: implementation of atmospheric, tidal and thermohaline forcing to predict local and regional patterns
- Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction Studies: Coupled modelling and analysis of physical-chemical processes at the air-sea interface
- Use of supercomputing and scalability in marine modelling: code optimisation and parallelization for simulations at high spatio-temporal resolutions
- Practical Applications: Extreme Event Prediction, Contaminant Transport Modelling, and Support for Sustainable Marine Resources Management
03
Advanced numerical modelling in coastal dynamics and prediction of extreme ocean phenomena
- Mathematical and physical foundations of numerical modelling applied to coastal dynamics: Navier-Stokes equations, mass and moment conservation, energy balances
- Numerical hydrodynamic models for coastal environments: Configuration, parameterization and validation of models type AdCirc, ROMs and Delft3D
- Atmosphere-Ocean interaction processes: Dynamic couplings in marine surface and subsurface models
- Wave simulation and coastal currents: spectral modelling, data assimilation techniques, and spatio-temporal analysis for high geographic complexity
- Advanced prediction of extreme ocean phenomena: tropical cyclones, tsunamis and surges by integrated hydrodynamic and hydraulic models
- Implementation and evaluation of numerical schemes: finite differences, finite elements and finite volumes applied to coastal dynamics
- Incorporation of observational data and remote sensing in predictive models: management of buoy, coastal radar and satellite networks
- Probabilistic analysis and uncertainty scenarios for coastal risk management based on output of numerical models
- Computational optimisation and parallelization of models for processing in high temporal and spatial resolution
- Practical Applications: Tsunamis and Tidal Early Warning System Design, Erosion Modelling and Sedimentation in Beaches and Estuaries
04
Multi-Scale Operational Prediction: Hydrodynamic Models, Data Assimilation and HPC for Coastal Risk Management
- Fundamentals of Physical Oceanography Applied to Modelling: Thermohaline property, coastal dynamics, and temporal and spatial scales of ocean processes
- Principles and mathematical formulation of hydrodynamic models: Navier-Stokes equations, hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic approaches, turbulence parameterization and dissipation processes
- Implementation and configuration of multi-scale numerical models: Coupling of regional, coastal and high-resolution models for consistent and accurate simulations
- Advanced assimilation of oceanographic and atmospheric data: Variation techniques, Kalman filters, Optimisation and uncertainty assessment in real time
- Integration of on-site and satellite observations for dynamic improvement of model states: floating platforms, buoys, high-frequency radars and remote sensors
- Supercomputing applied to physical oceanography: HPC architectures, parallelization, scalability and algorithm optimisation for operational modelling
- Detailed study of extreme coastal events: waves, storms, weather tides and their prediction by physical and statistical models
- Development and analysis of operational prediction products for decision making in risk management: early warnings, impact simulations, and support for contingency plans
- Implementation of integrated modelling systems: docking frameworks, data interoperability and standards for multi-scale prediction
- Applied cases and international experiences in coastal management through operational modelling: environmental impact assessments, territorial planning and mitigation of marine risks
05
Advanced remote sensing and data processing techniques for analysis and monitoring of complex ocean systems
- Fundamentals of Remote Sensing Applied to Oceans: Physical Principles, Sensor Types and Satellite Platforms
- Advanced satellite image processing: radiometric, atmospheric and geometric correction for ocean data
- Spectral and multispectral analysis for characterisation of ocean parametres: chlorophyll, surface temperature and turbidity
- Application of SAR techniques (synthetic opening radar) for monitoring of currents, waves and marine surface structure
- Integration of remote sensing data with numerical ocean dynamic models: data assimilation and validation of results
- Time series development and analysis for the study of complex ocean phenomena and their spatial variability
- Use of machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence techniques for classification and segmentation of marine images
- Real-time monitoring of extreme ocean events using remote sensing systems and on-site sensors
- Interpretation and advanced visualisation of multidimensional data for decision making in marine management
- Current and future trends in ocean remote sensing: hyperspectral satellites, autonomous sensor networks and integrated modelling
06
Numerical modelling of extreme ocean phenomena, multi-scale prediction and remote sensing technologies for sustainable management of marine ecosystems
- Advanced Foundations of Ocean Dynamics: Navier-Stokes Equations Applied to Geophysical Fluids and Hydrodynamic Simplifications for Marine Environments
- Hydrodynamic numerical models: computational meshes, spatial and temporal discretization, finite methods and finite volumes, stability and convergence
- Simulation and analysis of extreme ocean phenomena: cyclonic surges, extratropical storms, tsunamis and extreme waves; Real case study and validation with observational data
- Multi-scale prediction in oceanography: integration of regional and global models, atmosphere-ocean coupling, dynamic and statistical downscaling for coastal and marine scenarios
- Advanced remote sensing technologies: altimetric satellites, radiometres, scatterometres, hyperspectral sensors and LiDAR systems for continuous monitoring of oceanographic variables
- Remote data processing: calibration, atmospheric correction, multispectral analysis and information fusion for accurate estimation of critical ocean parametres
- Sustainable management of marine ecosystems through modelling: integration of physical, chemical and biological variables to evaluate climate and anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity and fisheries
- Development of early warning systems based on numerical modelling and remote sensing, validation protocols and effective communication for coastal risk mitigation
- Specialised software and scientific platforms: Expert use of ROMs, HYCOM, Delft3D, Swan and geospatial visualisation tools for advanced modelling and analysis
- Applied Case Studies: Marine Planning, Coastal Territory Management, Adaptive Management Against Climate Change and Restoration of Vulnerable Habitats
07
Advanced numerical modelling and multi-scale prediction systems for sustainable ocean ecosystem management
- Mathematical foundations of numerical modelling in oceanography: partial differential equations, discrete methods and numerical stability
- Geophysical fluid dynamics applied to oceanography: scale analysis, Earth rotation, Coriolis effect and tidal forces
- Advanced Hydrodynamic Models: Navier-Stokes, Limit Layer Models and Turbulence Parameterization in Coastal and Oceanic Environments
- Implementation of sophisticated numerical schemes: finite differences, finite volumes and finite elements for current and wave simulation
- Integration of observational oceanographic data: Assimilation of satellite data, buoys and autonomous sensors to improve the accuracy of modelling
- Multiscale prediction systems: Coupling of regional models with global models for the dynamic characterisation of marine ecosystems
- Coupled biogeochemical modelling: Simulation of biological processes and their interaction with oceanographic physics in the vertical and horizontal structure
- Computational optimisation and parallelization techniques: high resolution simulations and reduction of calculation times using HPC (High Performance Computing)
- Practical Applications for Sustainable Management: Environmental Impact Assessment, Climate Risk Mitigation and Marine Protected Area Planning
- Development and validation of early warning operating systems: integration of numerical modelling with real-time monitoring systems for ecosystem protection
08
Multiscale Ocean Process Dynamics and Integrated Modelling for Environmental Management and Critical Event Prediction
- Fundamentals of Ocean Dynamics: Physical Properties of Water, Equations of Movement and Conservation of Mass and Energy in Marine Fluids
- Multiscale processes in physical oceanography: from microscopic turbulence to global thermohaline circulation
- Coastal-Oceanic interaction: coastal phenomena, emergences, outcrops and their impact on the marine ecosystem
- Integrated numeric modelling: Introduction to discretization techniques, numerical schemes and computational methods applied to ocean fluids
- Advanced hydrodynamic models: Implementation of 3D, coupled and mesoscale models for simulation of currents, tides and waves
- Data assimilation in Oceanography: In-Site and Satellite Observation Techniques to Improve Predictive Model Accuracy
- Critical event prediction and monitoring: modelling extreme phenomena such as cyclones, tsunamis, red tides and polluting spills
- Modelling-based environmental management tools: applications for coastal planning, impact mitigation and marine habitat conservation
- Statistical and machine learning methods applied to multi-scale analysis in physical oceanography
- Pilot cases and computational simulations: design, execution and validation of projects aimed at solving real problems in oceanography and marine management
09
Advanced numerical modelling and integrated oceanographic prediction systems for sustainable management of marine ecosystems
- Theoretical Foundations of Numerical Modelling in Oceanography: Navier-Stokes Equations, Hydrostatic and Non-Hydrostatic Approaches, and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Principles
- Advanced hydrodynamic models: Implementation and parameterization of models such as ROMs, MITGCM and FVCOM, focusing on their adaptation to coastal areas and open sea
- Physical processes in the water column: simulation of turbulent mixtures, thermal stratification, thermocline dynamics and circulation generated by winds and tides
- Atmosphere-ocean coupling: Techniques for integrating weather models with oceanographic models using information exchange and dynamic feedback techniques
- Modelling of extreme scenarios: waves, storms and surge events; Integration of prediction models for coastal risk assessment
- Introduction and advanced use of integrated oceanographic prediction (IOPS) systems: architecture, oceanographic databases, in-situ and remote data assimilation, and real-time operation
- Numerical methods and computational strategies for modelling optimisation: discretization, solution of partial differential equations, parallelization and use of HPC in oceanography
- Model validation and verification: Statistical analysis, comparison with experimental data, resampling techniques and performance metrics for marine physical modelling
- Applications in the sustainable management of marine ecosystems: current modelling for contaminant monitoring, nutrient dispersion and prediction of critical habitats for fauna
- PILOTS Integration of prediction systems in decision-making: coastal management plans, sustainable maritime ordering, and responses to pollution and extreme weather events
10
Scientific programming, high performance computing and oceanographic data management
- Python programming for oceanography
- NETCDF formats and CF standards
- high performance computing
- Model parallelization
- Scientific visualisation
- Version control and reproducibility
- Management of large volumes of data
- cloud computing
- Machine Learning in Oceanography
- Computational Project
11
Master’s Final Project in Physical Oceanography and Marine Modeling
- Advanced Theoretical Foundations in Physical Oceanography: Fluid Dynamics, Oceanic Thermodynamics and Moment Transfer
- Mathematical and numerical modelling applied to ocean phenomena: Navier-Stokes equations, coastal drift and turbulence modelling
- Satellite and on-site remote sensing data integration: Image processing, SAR sensors, altimetry and ocean fluorescence
- Development and calibration of 3D hydrodynamic models for simulation of tides, currents and extreme swell
- Implementation of numerical data assimilation algorithms to improve prediction accuracy in coastal and ocean systems
- Evaluation and modelling of extreme phenomena: tsunamis, intense storms, storm surge and outcrop events
- Advanced statistical analysis for probabilistic prediction and risk assessment in sensitive marine ecosystems
- Development of integrated GIS platforms for real-time visualisation and management of oceanographic data and forecasts
- Sustainable management applications: Design of adaptive plans for the conservation and management of marine protected areas against climate threats
- Case studies and simulations with a focus on public policies, maritime management and environmental impact mitigation
Workload
Study Time and Workload
1600 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 Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, or Engineering seeking advanced specialization in ocean dynamics and numerical modeling.Researchers and professionals in the maritime sector interested in understanding and predicting ocean behavior for coastal management, marine energy, or climate change.Environmental consultants and public administration technicians who need tools and knowl
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
- 01Develop oceanographic models to predict the behavior of ocean currents
- 02Assess the impact of climate change on ocean circulation and marine ecosystems
- 03Analyze and forecast extreme oceanographic events, such as storm surges or coastal upwellings
- 04Managing and optimizing marine resources through the modeling of physical processes
- 05Implement and validate oceanographic observation systems to improve model accuracy
- 06Design and implement coastal risk mitigation and adaptation strategies based on oceanographic models
Careers
Career Opportunities
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02Research Scientist in oceanographic research centers, developing models and data analysis.
03Operational Oceanographer in government agencies or private companies, monitoring the state of the ocean and predicting its evolution.
04Marine Environmental Consultant, evaluating the impact of human activities on the marine environment and proposing mitigation measures.
05Marine Modeler, creating and calibrating numerical models to simulate oceanographic processes.
06Marine Resource Manager, participating in the planning and sustainable management of marine protected areas.
07Oceanographic Data Analyst, processing and analyzing large volumes of data to obtain relevant information.
08Climate Change Specialist, investigating the impact of climate change on the oceans. and the coasts.
09Oceanographic Instrumentation Technician, installing, maintaining, and calibrating measuring equipment at sea.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Ocean dynamics and its numerical modeling.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
It focuses primarily on the physical processes of the ocean, including geophysical fluid dynamics, ocean circulation, waves and tides, and the numerical modeling of these processes. While there may be some elective courses related to marine biology or chemistry, the main focus is on physics.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna Institute + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
```htmlAcademic Profile:Bachelor's/Undergraduate degree in Physics, Mathematics, Marine Sciences, Engineering, or a related scientific field.Prior Knowledge:Knowledge of calculus, physics, programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB), and statistics will be valued.Documentation:Updated CV, academic transcript, copy of degree certificate, cover letter, letters of recommendation (optional).Language Proficiency:English level B2 or higher (demonstrable by certificate or interview).```
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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