Course on Great Explorers and Discoveries
Why this course?
Discover the world through the eyes of the Great Explorers and Discoveries.
This course invites you on a fascinating journey along the sea and land routes that transformed history. We will analyze the motivations, challenges, and legacies of iconic figures such as Magellan, Columbus, and Livingstone, exploring their maps, instruments, and original accounts. You will learn about the cultures encountered, trade exchanges, and the global impact of their expeditions, understanding how these voyages shaped the world we know today.
This course invites you on a fascinating journey along the sea and land routes that transformed history.
Differential Advantages
- Analysis of Primary Sources: ancient maps, travel diaries, and original letters.
- Historical and Cultural Context: understanding the societies and motivations of the time.
- Geopolitical and Economic Impact: how the discoveries influenced trade and international relations.
- Debates and Controversies: exploring the ethical aspects and negative consequences of exploration.
- Multimedia Material: videos, documentaries, and reenactments for an immersive experience.
- Modality: Online
- Level: Cursos
- Hours: 150 H
- Start date: 25-04-2026
Availability: 1 in stock
Who is it aimed at?
- History lovers who wish to delve into the motivations, challenges, and consequences of the great explorations.
- Students of geography, history, and anthropology who require a comprehensive and detailed overview of the discoveries that shaped the world.
- Travelers and adventurers seeking inspiration and knowledge about unexplored territories and their cultures.
- Teachers and educators interested in enriching their classes with fascinating stories and accurate facts about the Age of Discovery.
- Avid readers and the general public who wish to immerse themselves in epic tales of daring, survival, and encounters between civilizations.
Study Flexibility
Access the content at your own pace, with downloadable materials, discussion forums, and interactive exercises to consolidate your learning.
Objectives and competencies
Mapping unexplored territories and recording findings:
Interpreting geographic and meteorological data to predict conditions and optimize exploration routes, documenting anomalies and potential risks.
Understanding the motivations and consequences of explorations:
Identify the economic, social and cultural impact of explorations on the societies involved, both for the explorers and for the local populations.
Navigating using tools and instruments of the time:
“Use the dead reckoning and the situation observed with Marcq Saint-Hilaire to determine the ship’s position.”
Adapting to unfamiliar environments and overcoming challenges:
Manage uncertainty with contingency plans, prioritizing safety and effective communication.
Establish and maintain beneficial intercultural relationships:
“Adapt verbal and non-verbal communication to different cultural contexts, demonstrating empathy and respect for local customs.”
Leading and motivating crews on long-duration expeditions:
To foster autonomy and individual responsibility within the team, promoting open communication and constructive conflict resolution.
Curriculum - Modules
- Comprehensive Maritime Incident Management: protocols, roles, and chain of command for coordinated response
- Operational Planning and Execution: briefing, routes, weather windows, and go/no-go criteria
- Rapid Risk Assessment: criticality matrix, scene control, and decision-making under pressure
- Operational Communication: VHF/GMDSS, standardized reports, and inter-agency liaison
- Tactical Mobility and Safe Boarding: RHIB maneuvers, approach, mooring, and recovery
- Equipment and Technologies: PPE, signaling, satellite tracking, and field data logging
- Immediate Care of the Affected: primary assessment, hypothermia, trauma, and stabilization for evacuation
- Adverse Environmental Conditions: swell, Visibility, flows, and operational mitigation
Simulation and training: critical scenarios, use of VR/AR, and exercises with performance metrics
Documentation and continuous improvement: lessons learned, indicators (MTTA/MTTR), and SOP updates
- Introduction to Exploration: Definitions, Motivations, and Methods
- Ancient Cartography: Medieval and Renaissance Maps and Their Interpretation
- Navigational Instruments: Astrolabe, Sextant, Compass, and Their Evolution
- Land Routes: The Silk Road, Inca Roads, and Their Impact
- Sea Routes: Portuguese, Spanish, and English Explorations
- Conquest and Colonization: Cultural, Economic, and Social Impact
- Columbian Exchange: Flora, Fauna, and Diseases
- Architectural Legacies: Colonial Cities and Their Urban Planning
- Cultural Legacies: Languages, Religions, and Traditions
- Ethics in exploration: Responsibility and preservation of heritage.
‘
- Introduction to the History of Exploration: Definitions, Motivations, and Precursors.
- The Age of Discovery: Portugal and Spain, Atlantic Routes, and the New World.
- Early Cartography: Medieval Maps, Portolan Charts, and the Mercator Projection.
- Land Explorations: Silk Roads, Marco Polo, and Eurasian Trade.
- Exploration of the Pacific: Magellan, Cook, and European Expansion.
- Africa: Explorers and Colonization, Livingstone and Stanley.
- The Arctic and Antarctica: Search for the Northwest Passage, Amundsen and Scott.
- Navigational Instruments: Astrolabe, Sextant, and compass.
- Impact of exploration: Cultural, economic, and environmental exchange.
- Legacy of exploration: Modern maps, treaties, and conservation.
‘
- Introduction to Exploration: Definition, Motivation, and Ethics
- History of Land Exploration: From Antiquity to the Modern Era
- Great Explorers: Lives, Voyages, and Key Discoveries
- Ancient Navigation Instruments and Techniques: Astrolabe, Sextant, Compass
- Historical Cartography: Evolution of Maps and Their Impact on Exploration
- Logistics and Survival in Harsh Environments: Water, Food, Shelter
- Early Cultural Contacts: Impact of Exploration on Indigenous Societies
- Exploration and Colonialism: Political and Economic Consequences
- Legacy of Land Exploration: Science, Geography, and Culture
- Ethics of Contemporary Exploration: Conservation, Sustainability, and respect.
‘
- Introduction to the History of Exploration: Motivations and Context
- Exploration in Antiquity: Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans
- The Viking Age: Expansion and Discoveries in the North Atlantic
- Chinese Exploration: The Expeditions of Zheng He
- The Renaissance and the Age of Discovery: Portugal and Spain
- Christopher Columbus and the Discovery of America: Consequences and Debate
- The Circumnavigation of Magellan and Elcano: The World Revealed
- Exploration of the Pacific: James Cook and Other Navigators
- Exploration of the Interior of Africa: Livingstone, Stanley, and the Conquest
Polar Exploration: Amundsen, Scott, and the Challenge of the Arctic and Antarctic
‘
- System Architecture and Components: Structural design, materials, and subsystems (mechanical, electrical, electronic, and fluid) with selection and assembly criteria for marine environments
- Fundamentals and Principles of Operation: Physical and engineering foundations (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, control, and materials) that explain performance and operating limits
- Safety and Environmental (SHE): Risk analysis, PPE, LOTO, hazardous atmospheres, spill and waste management, and emergency response plans
- Applicable Regulations and Standards: IMO/ISO/IEC requirements and local regulations;
- Conformance criteria, certification, and best practices for operation and maintenance
- Inspection, testing, and diagnostics: Visual/dimensional inspection, functional testing, data analysis, and predictive techniques (vibration, thermography, fluid analysis) to identify root causes
- Preventive and predictive maintenance: Hourly/cycle/seasonal plans, lubrication, adjustments, calibrations, consumable replacement, post-service verification, and operational reliability
- Instrumentation, tools, and metrology: Measuring and testing equipment, diagnostic software, calibration and traceability; selection criteria, safe use, and storage
- Onboard integration and interfaces: Mechanical, electrical, fluid, and data compatibility; Sealing and watertightness, EMC/EMI, corrosion protection, and interoperability testing.
Quality, acceptance testing, and commissioning: process and materials control, FAT/SAT, bench and sea trials, go/no-go criteria, and evidence documentation.
Technical documentation and integrated practice: logs, checklists, reports, and a complete case study (safety → diagnosis → intervention → verification → report) applicable to any system.
Plan de estudio - Módulos
- Comprehensive Maritime Incident Management: protocols, roles, and chain of command for coordinated response
- Operational Planning and Execution: briefing, routes, weather windows, and go/no-go criteria
- Rapid Risk Assessment: criticality matrix, scene control, and decision-making under pressure
- Operational Communication: VHF/GMDSS, standardized reports, and inter-agency liaison
- Tactical Mobility and Safe Boarding: RHIB maneuvers, approach, mooring, and recovery
- Equipment and Technologies: PPE, signaling, satellite tracking, and field data logging
- Immediate Care of the Affected: primary assessment, hypothermia, trauma, and stabilization for evacuation
- Adverse Environmental Conditions: swell, Visibility, flows, and operational mitigation
Simulation and training: critical scenarios, use of VR/AR, and exercises with performance metrics
Documentation and continuous improvement: lessons learned, indicators (MTTA/MTTR), and SOP updates
- Introduction to Exploration: Definitions, Motivations, and Methods
- Ancient Cartography: Medieval and Renaissance Maps and Their Interpretation
- Navigational Instruments: Astrolabe, Sextant, Compass, and Their Evolution
- Land Routes: The Silk Road, Inca Roads, and Their Impact
- Sea Routes: Portuguese, Spanish, and English Explorations
- Conquest and Colonization: Cultural, Economic, and Social Impact
- Columbian Exchange: Flora, Fauna, and Diseases
- Architectural Legacies: Colonial Cities and Their Urban Planning
- Cultural Legacies: Languages, Religions, and Traditions
- Ethics in exploration: Responsibility and preservation of heritage.
‘
- Introduction to the History of Exploration: Definitions, Motivations, and Precursors.
- The Age of Discovery: Portugal and Spain, Atlantic Routes, and the New World.
- Early Cartography: Medieval Maps, Portolan Charts, and the Mercator Projection.
- Land Explorations: Silk Roads, Marco Polo, and Eurasian Trade.
- Exploration of the Pacific: Magellan, Cook, and European Expansion.
- Africa: Explorers and Colonization, Livingstone and Stanley.
- The Arctic and Antarctica: Search for the Northwest Passage, Amundsen and Scott.
- Navigational Instruments: Astrolabe, Sextant, and compass.
- Impact of exploration: Cultural, economic, and environmental exchange.
- Legacy of exploration: Modern maps, treaties, and conservation.
‘
- Introduction to Exploration: Definition, Motivation, and Ethics
- History of Land Exploration: From Antiquity to the Modern Era
- Great Explorers: Lives, Voyages, and Key Discoveries
- Ancient Navigation Instruments and Techniques: Astrolabe, Sextant, Compass
- Historical Cartography: Evolution of Maps and Their Impact on Exploration
- Logistics and Survival in Harsh Environments: Water, Food, Shelter
- Early Cultural Contacts: Impact of Exploration on Indigenous Societies
- Exploration and Colonialism: Political and Economic Consequences
- Legacy of Land Exploration: Science, Geography, and Culture
- Ethics of Contemporary Exploration: Conservation, Sustainability, and respect.
‘
- Introduction to the History of Exploration: Motivations and Context
- Exploration in Antiquity: Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans
- The Viking Age: Expansion and Discoveries in the North Atlantic
- Chinese Exploration: The Expeditions of Zheng He
- The Renaissance and the Age of Discovery: Portugal and Spain
- Christopher Columbus and the Discovery of America: Consequences and Debate
- The Circumnavigation of Magellan and Elcano: The World Revealed
- Exploration of the Pacific: James Cook and Other Navigators
- Exploration of the Interior of Africa: Livingstone, Stanley, and the Conquest
Polar Exploration: Amundsen, Scott, and the Challenge of the Arctic and Antarctic
‘
- System Architecture and Components: Structural design, materials, and subsystems (mechanical, electrical, electronic, and fluid) with selection and assembly criteria for marine environments
- Fundamentals and Principles of Operation: Physical and engineering foundations (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, control, and materials) that explain performance and operating limits
- Safety and Environmental (SHE): Risk analysis, PPE, LOTO, hazardous atmospheres, spill and waste management, and emergency response plans
- Applicable Regulations and Standards: IMO/ISO/IEC requirements and local regulations;
- Conformance criteria, certification, and best practices for operation and maintenance
- Inspection, testing, and diagnostics: Visual/dimensional inspection, functional testing, data analysis, and predictive techniques (vibration, thermography, fluid analysis) to identify root causes
- Preventive and predictive maintenance: Hourly/cycle/seasonal plans, lubrication, adjustments, calibrations, consumable replacement, post-service verification, and operational reliability
- Instrumentation, tools, and metrology: Measuring and testing equipment, diagnostic software, calibration and traceability; selection criteria, safe use, and storage
- Onboard integration and interfaces: Mechanical, electrical, fluid, and data compatibility; Sealing and watertightness, EMC/EMI, corrosion protection, and interoperability testing.
Quality, acceptance testing, and commissioning: process and materials control, FAT/SAT, bench and sea trials, go/no-go criteria, and evidence documentation.
Technical documentation and integrated practice: logs, checklists, reports, and a complete case study (safety → diagnosis → intervention → verification → report) applicable to any system.
- Introduction to Navigation: From Antiquity to the Modern Era
- Nautical Instruments: Astrolabe, Sextant, Compass, and Chronometer
- Ancient Cartography: Portolan Charts, Planispheres, and Projections
- Great Explorers: Voyages of Discovery and Trade Routes
- Cultures in Contact: Exchange of Knowledge, Goods, and Technologies
- The Impact of Navigation on Globalization
- Historical Maritime Routes: The Silk Road, The Spice Route
- Shipbuilding: Evolution of Ships and Their Characteristics
- Life on Board: Hierarchy, Work, Food, and Diseases
- Cultural Legacy of Navigation and cartography
‘
- Introduction to cartography: history, types of maps, projections
- Basic Navigation: bearings, distances, geographic coordinates
- Using the compass and sextant: fundamentals and practice
- Reading topographic maps: contour lines, symbols, terrain interpretation
- Orientation in nature: using the sun, stars, and other natural elements
- Planning expeditions: route selection, calculating supplies, risk management
- Survival in hostile environments: first aid, shelter, finding water and food
- Expedition equipment: selection, use, and maintenance of tools and materials
- Camping techniques: setup, safety, hygiene, and respect for the environment
- Ethics of exploration: respect for local cultures and conservation of natural heritage
‘
- Introduction to Maritime History: Key Concepts and Periodization
- The First Sea Routes: From the Mediterranean to India
- Nautical Science in Antiquity: Astronomy and Geography
- Ancient Naval Technology: Construction, Sails, and Navigation
- The Rise of Navigation in the Middle Ages: Vikings and Arabs
- Innovations in Navigation: Compass, Astrolabe, and Portolan Charts
- The Renaissance and the Age of Discovery: A New Worldview
- Portugal and Spain: Pioneers in Global Expansion
- The Impact of Columbus’s Voyages: A New Continent and New Routes
- Consequences of Expansion: Trade, Culture, and Conflict
‘
- Introduction to Exploration: Definitions, Motivations, and Types
- Ancient Cartography: Maps of the Known World and Symbolic Representations
- Navigation Instruments: Astrolabe, Sextant, Compass, and their Evolution
- The Great Maritime Civilizations: Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and their Trade Routes
- The Age of Discovery: Portuguese and Spanish Explorations (15th-16th Centuries)
- Christopher Columbus and the “New World”: Impact and Consequences of the Encounter
- Circumnavigation of the World: Magellan-Elcano and the Confirmation of the Earth’s Sphericity
- English and French Explorations: The Search for the Northwest Passage and Colonial Expansion
The Legacy of Exploration: Cultural, Scientific, and Economic Exchange
Ethical Debate: Colonialism, Slavery, and the Exploitation of Natural Resources‘
Career opportunities
- Specialized Tour Guide: Design and implementation of thematic routes focused on explorations and discoveries, with an emphasis on history, geography, and anthropology.
- Researcher/Historian: In-depth study of historical archives, analysis of original documentation, and contribution to the historiography of explorations.
- Cultural Heritage Manager: Conservation and dissemination of historical sites related to explorations, including museums, monuments, and heritage routes.
- Exploration Project Consultant: Historical and cultural advice for contemporary exploration projects, whether scientific, geographical, or cultural.
- Educator/Science Communicator: Creation of educational and outreach content about explorations and discoveries for diverse audiences (schools, media, general public).
- Documentary Filmmaker/Audiovisual Producer: Research, Scriptwriting and production of documentaries and other audiovisual formats about historical and contemporary explorations.
Historical Writer/Novelist: Creation of literary works (novels, essays, biographies) based on explorations and discoveries.
Exhibition Curator: Design and installation of thematic exhibitions in museums and cultural centers about explorations and discoveries.
“`
Admission requirements
Academic/professional profile:
Degree/Bachelor's degree in Nautical Science/Maritime Transport, Naval/Marine Engineering, or a related field; or proven professional experience in bridge/operations.
Language proficiency:
Recommended functional maritime English (SMCP) for simulations and technical materials.
5. Induction
Updated resume, copy of degree or seaman's book, ID card/passport, letter of motivation.
Technical requirements (for online):
Equipment with camera/microphone, stable connection, ≥ 24” monitor recommended for ECDIS/Radar-ARPA.
Admission process and dates
1. Online
application
(form + documents).
2. Academic review and interview
(profile/objectives/schedule compatibility).
3. Admission decision
(+ scholarship proposal if applicable).
4. Reservation of place
(deposit) and registration.
5. Induction
(access to campus, calendars, simulator guides).
Scholarships and grants
- Relive history: a fascinating journey through the lives of the most daring explorers.
- Discover unexplored routes: from the poles to the ocean depths, we’ll analyze the voyages that changed the world.
- Learn from their mistakes and successes: we’ll analyze strategies, challenges, and the consequences of their discoveries.
- Cultural and scientific impact: explore how these voyages shaped our understanding of the planet and societies.
- Inspiration for the future: find the motivation to take on your own challenges and explore new horizons.
Testimonials
I mastered the chronology of major geographical discoveries, from Viking expeditions to space missions, analyzing the impact of each on cartography, trade, and cultural diffusion. I developed the ability to connect these events to broader historical contexts, such as colonial expansion and the Scientific Revolution, understanding the ambition, innovation, and consequences—both positive and negative—that drove these explorations.
My training in Naval Culture and History provided me with a deep and holistic understanding of the sea as a stage for human development, transcending battles and explorations to encompass its influence on art, literature, commerce, and geopolitics. I acquired a valuable body of knowledge that allows me to critically analyze the present in light of the complex interactions between societies and the maritime environment throughout history.
My understanding of the Age of Exploration expanded enormously. Analyzing the motivations, methods, and consequences of figures like Columbus, Magellan, and Zheng He allowed me to develop a global perspective on cultural exchange, technological development, and the formation of the modern world. Researching trade routes, nautical innovations, and the impact on indigenous populations enriched my knowledge and sparked my curiosity to continue investigating.
I mastered the chronology and impact of the great explorers, from Zheng He to Columbus and Magellan, understanding the motivations, technologies, and consequences of their voyages, both for the cultures of origin and those they encountered. I accurately analyzed the cultural interactions, the exchange of knowledge, and the long-term consequences, including colonialism and globalization.
Frequently asked questions
Christopher Columbus
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.
Christopher Columbus, the discovery of America.
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 University + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
- Introduction to Exploration: Definitions, Motivations, and Types
- Ancient Cartography: Maps of the Known World and Symbolic Representations
- Navigation Instruments: Astrolabe, Sextant, Compass, and their Evolution
- The Great Maritime Civilizations: Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and their Trade Routes
- The Age of Discovery: Portuguese and Spanish Explorations (15th-16th Centuries)
- Christopher Columbus and the “New World”: Impact and Consequences of the Encounter
- Circumnavigation of the World: Magellan-Elcano and the Confirmation of the Earth’s Sphericity
- English and French Explorations: The Search for the Northwest Passage and Colonial Expansion
The Legacy of Exploration: Cultural, Scientific, and Economic Exchange
Ethical Debate: Colonialism, Slavery, and the Exploitation of Natural Resources‘
Request information
- Complete the Application Form
- Attach your CV/Qualifications (if you have them to hand).
- Indicate your preferred cohort (January/May/September) and whether you want the hybrid option with simulator sessions.
Teachers
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Naval engineer specializing in the selection, integration, and optimization of propulsion systems for yachts, high-speed craft, and service vessels.
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Materials engineer specializing in marine composites and corrosion protection systems for ships, yachts, and port structures.
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Naval electrical engineer with over fifteen years of experience in the design, integration, and operation of power and automation systems.
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Specialist in meteorological and operational decision-making for coastal and offshore navigation, integrating wind, wave, and current models.
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Naval engineer with a PhD in applied hydrodynamics and over a decade of experience designing high-performance hulls and marine structures.
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
MCA-certified captain with command of ocean-going vessels, specializing in advanced maneuvering, navigation management, and bridge safety.