Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Oceanography Applied to Maritime Operations
This program provides you with the essential tools to optimize decision-making in the maritime environment. It deepens your understanding of key oceanographic processes, from current dynamics to wave and tide prediction, and…
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts14 December
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Oceanography Applied to Maritime Operations?
The Diploma in Oceanography Applied to Maritime Operations
This program provides you with the essential tools to optimize decision-making in the maritime environment. It deepens your understanding of key oceanographic processes, from current dynamics to wave and tide prediction, and teaches you to interpret and use oceanographic data for the safe and efficient planning and execution of operations. This program will enable you to mitigate risks, optimize routes, and understand the impact of oceanographic conditions on coastal infrastructure and activities.
Differential Advantages
- Practical Application: analysis of real-world cases and practical exercises with oceanographic data.
- Modeling Tools: introduction to the use of oceanographic models for prediction and simulation.
- Industry Experts: professors with extensive experience in operational oceanography and maritime management.
- Multidisciplinary Approach: integration of concepts from oceanography, meteorology, and maritime safety.
- Flexibility: online format with interactive resources and personalized support.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Start date
29-11-2026
Programme highlights
- Oceanographic Fundamentals: Master the physical, chemical, and biological processes of the ocean and their impact on operations.
- Marine Meteorology: Interpret and use meteorological information to optimize navigational safety and efficiency.
- Digital Nautical Charting: Acquire advanced skills in the use of electronic charts and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
- Marine Environmental Management: Learn about legislation and best practices for the protection of the marine environment.
- Safe Maritime Operations: Apply oceanographic knowledge to the safe planning and execution of operations in different marine environments.
- Boost your career and optimize your decisions with expert knowledge in Oceanography Applied to Operations Maritime.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Fundamentals of Applied Maritime Physical Oceanography and Dynamics
- Physical Properties of Seawater: Salinity, Temperature, Density, Pressure and Equation of Status ($teos-10$)
- Vertical thermal structure: layer of surface mixing, permanent and seasonal thermocline, and deep water
- Dynamics of water masses: temperature-salinity diagrams ($T-S$), analysis of mixing and characterisation of ocean basins
- Outcropping and sinking processes (upwelling / downwelling): transport of Ekman, continental winds and effects on visibility and local density
- Waves of wind and sea in the background in operations: wave spectra, combined sea parametres and hydrodynamic responses of fixed and floating structures
- General and contour ocean circulation: large currents of the western/eastern edge and its impact on the transit of ships
- Global Scale Climate Variability: El Niño-Southern Oscillation ($enos$), North Atlantic Oscillation ($NAO$) and repercussions on sea routes
- Streams and masses of water
02
Geological Oceanography, Bathymetry and Underwater Geotechnics
- Geomorphology of the ocean floor: continental shelf, slope, submarine canyons, abyssal plain and tectonic pits
- Characterization of marine sediments: granulometric classification, geotechnical properties and dynamics of coastal and background transport
- High-resolution bathymetric surveys: single-beam, multi-beam (MBES) and side-sweep (SSS) sonar for cartography of the seabed
- Applied Marine Geophysics: Sub-Fund Profilers (Sub-Bottom Profilers), High Resolution Magnetometry and Seismic for Obstacle Location
- Underwater geological risks (Geohazards): slopes of the slope, gas hydrates, active faults and pockmarks in the installation of infrastructures
- Structure-Fund interaction: Underwater scouring (SCOUR) on jack-up platform legs, wind turbines and submarine cables
- Hydrographic regulations and standards IHO: Special publication S-44 of the International Hydrographic Organisation for Maritime Surveys
- Mapping of funds and geological risks
03
Chemical oceanography, water quality and marine corrosion
- Chemical composition and biogeochemical cycles: macronutrients, micronutrients, carbon cycle and pH of seawater
- Dissolved oxygen and zones of anoxia: Minimum oxygen layer ($omz$), biological oxygen demand and its relationship with the deterioration of underwater materials
- Corrosion processes in marine environments: electrochemical corrosion, pitting, stress corrosion in metal alloys and cathodic protection (slaughter anodes/ICCP)
- Biological inlays (Biofouling): fixing of organisms in hulls and pipes, increase of hydrodynamic trawl and antifouling paints
- Acidification of the oceans: Chemistry of the carbonate system and its long-term effects on coastal infrastructure and composite materials
- Dispersion of pour and contaminant feathers: modelling of thermal feathers of refrigeration plants, desalination brine and wastewater
- Real-time environmental monitoring: use of multiparametric sensors (CTD, turbidimetres, fluorometres) mounted on rosettes, buoys and gliders
- Biofouling and its control
04
Underwater acoustics and sound propagation at sea
- Physics of sound propagation in salt water: speed of sound as a function of temperature, salinity and depth; Calculation of the Sound Speed Profile (PVS)
- Refraction and Acoustic Channels: Formation of the Sofar Canal, Shadow Zones, Surface Layers of Mixing and Convergence of Acoustic Rays
- Sonar Equation and Link Balance: Transmission Loss (TL), Background Noise, Source Level (SL) and Detection Margin for Navigation Equipment
- Submarine Acoustic Positioning Systems: Operational Differences Between Ultra-Short (USBL), Short (SBL) and Long (LBL) In Dynamic Positioning and ROVs
- Water radiated noise (URN) by ships and operations: propeller cavitation, auxiliary machinery, pile driving and its environmental mitigation
- Passive Bioacoustic Monitoring (PAM): Detection of marine mammals in offshore operations zones for compliance with mitigation protocols
- Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP): Processing of reflected acoustic signals for obtaining 3D profiles of currents in the water column
- Underwater noise and its impact
05
Oceanographic remote sensing and satellite data analysis
- Marine remote sensing bases: electromagnetic spectrum, atmospheric windows and satellite orbits (geostationary and heliosync)
- Satellite Altimetry: Sea Surface Level Measurement ($SSH$), Dynamic Topography, Mesoscale Ocean Meander and Swirl Analysis
- Infrared and microwave radiometry: Obtaining the temperature of the sea surface ($tsm$) for identification of thermal and current fronts
- Ocean Colour Sensors (Modis, Sentinel-3): Concentration of chlorophyll-A, dissolved organic matter and detection of harmful algal blooms (red tides)
- Synthetic Opening Radar (SAR): Detection of hydrocarbon stains (Oil Spills), wind monitoring on the sea surface and boat tracking (Satellite AIS)
- Satellite dispersometry: vector measurement of the wind on the surface of the sea (magnitude and direction) in areas of scarce weather coverage
- Free Oceanographic Data Platforms: Copernicus Marine Service Product Download and Processing ($CMEMS$), NOAA and NASA Applied to Nautical
- Satellite products for navigation
06
Oceanographic support for offshore operations, ports and maritime rescue
- Operational Weather Windows: Establishment of Meteorological and Oceanographic Thresholds for Critical Manoeuvres
- Oceanography Applied to Offshore Wind Power Installations: Site Assessment, Seawind Features, Extreme Waves and Foundation Currents
- Dynamic Positioning (DP) Vessel Operations: Impact of Complex Profile Currents, Wind/Wave/Wave Overlap and Alarm Management
- Laying and maintenance of submarine cables and pipelines: layout of optimal routes considering relief, bottom currents and fishing areas
- Oceanography for salvage and commercial diving operations: underwater visibility, stagnation current windows (slack water) and stress boards in sunken hulls
- Management of ports and dredging of navigation: dynamics of silting in access channels, wave stirring within darsenas and dumping of dredging material
- Hydrocarbon spill contingency plans: oil feather path modelling ($oil\ spill\ modelling$), weathering and sea containment
- Weather windows for offshore operations
07
Legal framework, environmental regulations and safety in maritime operations
- MARPOL Convention (IMO): Annexes for the prevention of pollution by hydrocarbons, harmful substances, dirty water, garbage and atmospheric emissions
- Ballast water management (BWM Convention): Invading aquatic organisms, D-1/D-2 standards, on-board treatment systems and open-sea exchange regulations
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) in the marine environment: methodologies for offshore projects, seismic prospecting and port works
- OSPAR Convention and Regional Regulations: Protection of the Marine Environment of the Northeast Atlantic and Cross-Border Containment Agreements
- Marine Spatial Planning (MSP): Zoning of Ocean Uses (Navigation Routes, Protected Areas, Fishing Zones, Wind Farms and Mining)
- Safety and Health in Oceanographic Operations: Security Protocols in the Deck of Scientific and Offshore Support Vessels ($HSE$)
- Quality Certifications and Standards: Application of ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards in the execution of oceanographic and hydrographic campaigns
- Environmental requirements in oceanographic campaigns
08
Capstone Project: Oceanographic dossier and operational plan for a maritime campaign / offshore
- Selection of the project scenario: definition of a real operation (installation of a wind field, submarine cable laying, high complexity offshore manoeuvre or spill response)
- Area Environmental Oceanographic Characterization: Compilation and Analysis of Historical Series of Currents, Waves, Bathymetry, Sedimentology and Sound Speed Profiles
- Analysis of satellite data and numerical models: Satellite data processing (SAR/TSM) and outputs of global oceanographic models for the area of operations
- Risk study and determination of operational windows: identification of extreme conditions (maximum waves, limit currents, thermal fronts) and calculation of downtime
- Environmental Mitigation Plan and Emergency Response: Design of the Water Quality Control Protocol, Bioacoustic Monitoring Plan and Contaminant Drift Model
- Preparation of the Oceanographic Operations Manual (Oceanographic Operating Manual): Drafting of the final technical report with instrumental specifications, on-board procedures and safety limits
- Presentation of the oceanographic dossier
- Final presentation: Defence of the operational project before a court of oceanographers, naval engineers, directors of offshore operations and marine environmental auditors
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
Environmental and civil engineers seeking to specialize in ocean modeling, coastal management, and environmental impact assessment for maritime projects.Marine biologists and oceanographers wishing to delve deeper into ecosystem dynamics, climate change, and oceanographic observation tools for applied research.Fishing and aquaculture industry professionals needing to optimize management strate
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
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Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Interpreting and applying oceanographic data in operational decision-making
- 02Optimizing the efficiency and safety of maritime operations through oceanographic analysis
- 03Predicting and mitigating risks associated with oceanographic phenomena in maritime operations
- 04Assess the environmental impact of maritime activities and propose mitigation measures
- 05Managing and optimizing the use of marine resources in the context of maritime operations
- 06Develop and implement oceanographic forecasting models to improve operational planning
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Operational Oceanographer in Marine Energy Companies: Planning and execution of oceanographic studies for the installation and maintenance of offshore infrastructure.
02Marine Environmental Consultant: Environmental impact assessment of maritime operations and development of mitigation strategies.
03Oceanographic Data Manager: Collection, processing, and analysis of oceanographic data for decision-making in maritime operations.
04Oceanographic Observation Systems Technician: Installation, maintenance, and operation of buoys, sensors, and other oceanographic measurement equipment.
05Oceanographic Modeling Specialist: Development and application of numerical models to predict currents, waves, and other oceanographic phenomena relevant to maritime operations.
06Coastal Risk Management Advisor: Risk assessment associated with extreme oceanographic phenomena such as tsunamis and Storm surges.
07Researcher at oceanographic institutions: Participation in research projects on the ocean and its impact on maritime operations.
08Maritime route analyst: Optimization of maritime routes considering oceanographic and meteorological conditions.
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Questions
Entry Requirements
Professionals involved in maritime operations, such as the merchant marine, the offshore industry, aquaculture, oceanographic research, and coastal management.
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.
Professionals involved in maritime operations, such as the merchant marine, the offshore industry, aquaculture, oceanographic research, and coastal management.
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
Academic/Professional Profile:Bachelor's/Undergraduate degree in Marine Sciences, Oceanography, Marine Biology, Environmental Engineering, or a related field; or demonstrable professional experience in maritime or coastal activities.Recommended Prior Knowledge:Basic knowledge of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology; Familiarity with computer tools for data analysis.Documentation:Updated curriculum vitae, copy of academic degree or certificate of professional experience, identity document, letter of interest explaining the motivation for taking the diploma course.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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