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Course · 300 h · 5 modules
Course in Underwater Acoustics and Bioacoustics
The Course in Underwater Acoustics and Bioacoustics Prepares you to understand and measure sound in the ocean. You will study how sound travels through seawater, recording equipment such as hydrophones and autonomous recorders, sp
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts23 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Course in Underwater Acoustics and Bioacoustics?
The Course in Underwater Acoustics and Bioacoustics
Prepares you to understand and measure sound in the ocean. You will study how sound travels through seawater, recording equipment such as hydrophones and autonomous recorders, spectrogram analysis and the passive acoustic monitoring of cetaceans, fish and invertebrates. You will also explore the impact of underwater noise from shipping, construction and marine energy, and the methods used to measure and reduce it in real marine projects.
Key advantages
- Physics meets biology: From sound propagation to the acoustic behaviour of species.
- Open tools: Analysing recordings with free software.
- Real recordings: Exercises with sounds from cetaceans, fish and ships.
- Environmental focus: Underwater noise and how it is managed in marine projects.
- Case study: Analysing a set of underwater recordings.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Programme highlights
- Understand sound: Grasp how sound propagates at sea.
- Record properly: Get to know hydrophones and autonomous recorders.
- Analyse signals: Interpret spectrograms and detect species.
- Assess noise: Measure man-made underwater noise.
- Boost your career: Open doors to environmental consultancies and research projects.
- Train to listen to the ocean and understand what its soundscape is telling us.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Fundamentals of Underwater Acoustics
- The nature of sound
- The speed of sound in seawater
- Attenuation and absorption
- Sound channels and speed profiles
- Decibels and reference levels
02
Measurement and Recording Equipment
- Hydrophones and their sensitivity
- Autonomous recorders
- Equipment calibration
- Deployment on moorings and buoys
- Mobile platforms and gliders
03
Acoustic Signal Analysis
- Sampling and digitisation
- The Fourier transform
- Spectrograms
- Automated signal detection
- Free analysis software
04
Marine Bioacoustics
- Cetacean sounds
- Echolocation
- Fish and invertebrate sounds
- Marine soundscapes
- Passive acoustic monitoring
05
Underwater Noise and Environmental Management
- Ship and shipping traffic noise
- Pile driving and marine construction
- Effects of noise on wildlife
- Mitigation measures
- Case study: analysing a set of recordings
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
Biology, marine science or physics graduates: who want to specialise in marine acoustics Environmental consultancy staff: who assess noise from marine projects Marine mammal observers: who want to add acoustics to their skills Engineers: interested in acoustics applied to the marine environment Marine mammal researchers: who need acoustic monitoring techniques
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 underwater acoustics
- 02Know the equipment
- 03Analyse acoustic signals
- 04Identify sound sources
- 05Assess underwater noise
- 06Design an acoustic study
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Marine acoustics technician: Recording surveys and acoustic analysis.
02Underwater noise consultant: Noise assessment for marine projects.
03Cetacean monitoring technician: Acoustic monitoring of marine wildlife.
04Bioacoustics research assistant: Support on scientific projects.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Basic knowledge helps; acoustic concepts are explained from the start.
Free audio and spectrogram analysis tools, plus examples in Python.
Yes. You use recordings of cetaceans, fish and ships from open acoustic libraries.
No. The course does not replace any training or accreditation that authorities may require in each country.
Analysing a set of underwater recordings to identify sources and characterise noise.
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 Underwater Acoustics and Bioacoustics 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: Students or graduates in biology, marine science, physics, engineering or related fields, or professionals in the marine environmental 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
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.