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Masters · 1500 h · 11 modules
Master's in Numerical Ocean Modelling
The Master's in Numerical Ocean Modelling Prepares you to build, run and evaluate numerical ocean models, from the global scale down to harbours and estuaries. You will study geophysical fluid dynamics, discretisation methods, tur
Duration1500 h
FormatOnline
Starts30 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Numerical Ocean Modelling?
The Master's in Numerical Ocean Modelling
Prepares you to build, run and evaluate numerical ocean models, from the global scale down to harbours and estuaries. You will study geophysical fluid dynamics, discretisation methods, turbulence parameterisations, and circulation, wave, tide and sediment models, and learn to set up experiments on high-performance computing systems, validate the results against observations and communicate their uncertainty clearly to the scientific, engineering and public-sector users who rely on them.
Key advantages
- Solid physical grounding: Geophysical fluid dynamics and numerical methods explained from first principles.
- Industry-standard models: Practicals with widely used open-source ocean codes.
- From global to coastal: Circulation, waves, tides, sediments and water quality.
- Real computing: Running simulations in high-performance environments.
- Your own project: Setting up and validating a model for a real area.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,500 hours
Modules
11
Programme highlights
- Understand the physics: Master geophysical fluid dynamics.
- Solve it numerically: Apply the right numerical methods and meshes.
- Configure models: Set up regional and coastal experiments.
- Validate results: Compare models and observations rigorously.
- Boost your career: Open doors to ocean services, consultancies and research institutes.
- Train to simulate how the ocean behaves with the rigour that science and engineering demand.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
- Conservation equations
- Effects of the Earth’s rotation
- The Boussinesq approximation
- The hydrostatic approximation
- Geostrophic balance
- Potential vorticity
- Gravity and Rossby waves
- The Ekman layer
- Stratification and the deformation radius
- Instabilities and geophysical turbulence
02
Numerical Methods for the Ocean
- Finite differences
- Finite volumes
- Finite elements
- Structured and unstructured meshes
- Vertical coordinates
- Advection schemes
- Stability and the CFL condition
- Time-stepping schemes
- Conservation and numerical diffusion
- Code verification
03
Parameterisations and Sub-grid Processes
- The concept of sub-grid processes
- Vertical mixing and turbulence closures
- Boundary layer schemes
- Lateral mixing and viscosity
- Eddy parameterisation
- Bottom friction
- Air-sea fluxes
- Convection and deep water formation
- Internal tides and mixing
- Sensitivity to parameterisations
04
Ocean Circulation Models
- Families of ocean models
- Z-coordinate models
- Sigma-coordinate models
- Hybrid and isopycnal models
- Global circulation models
- Regional models
- One-way and two-way nesting
- Initialisation and spin-up
- Atmospheric forcing
- Circulation diagnostics
05
Coastal and Estuarine Modelling
- Coastal hydrodynamics
- Depth-averaged two-dimensional models
- Tidal propagation
- Storm surges
- Wetting and drying for flooding
- Estuarine circulation
- Saline intrusion
- River-sea interaction
- Harbour models
- Effluent dispersion
06
Wave Modelling
- Linear wave theory
- Wave spectra
- Third-generation spectral models
- Generation, dissipation and interactions
- Shallow-water propagation
- Refraction, diffraction and breaking
- Phase-resolving models
- Wave-current coupling
- Wave climate and extremes
- Validation with buoys and satellites
07
Sediments, Morphodynamics and Water Quality
- Non-cohesive sediment transport
- Cohesive sediments
- Longshore and cross-shore transport
- Morphological evolution of beaches
- Morphodynamic models
- Water quality models
- Tracers and residence time
- Lagrangian particle models
- Oil spill models
- Coupled biogeochemical models
08
High-Performance Computing
- Supercomputer architectures
- Linux and computing environments
- Compiling scientific codes
- Parallelisation with MPI and OpenMP
- Domain decomposition
- Job schedulers
- Scalability and performance
- GPU computing
- Cloud computing
- Managing large model outputs
09
Assimilation, Forecasting and Ensembles
- From model to operational forecast
- Data assimilation in ocean models
- Ensemble forecasting
- Perturbing initial conditions
- Seasonal and decadal prediction
- Ocean reanalyses
- Machine learning emulators
- Statistical post-processing of outputs
- Operational forecasting systems
- Copernicus marine services
10
Validation, Uncertainty and Reporting Results
- Data sources for validation
- Error and skill metrics
- Taylor diagrams
- Validating extremes
- Sensitivity analysis
- Structural and parametric uncertainty
- Reproducible experiments
- Documenting model configurations
- Technical reports for clients
- Communicating uncertainty
11
Master's Final Project: Configuring and Validating an Ocean Model
- Defining the problem and the area
- Choosing the model
- Preparing bathymetry and the mesh
- Forcing and boundary conditions
- Sensitivity experiments
- Running simulations
- Validation against observations
- Analysing results
- 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 physics, mathematics, marine science or engineering: who want to specialise in ocean modelling Civil, naval and coastal engineers: who need to simulate hydrodynamic processes Oceanographers and researchers: who want to master the models they use Environmental and port consultancy staff: producing marine dynamics studies Scientific computing professionals: who want to apply the
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
- 01Understand ocean dynamics
- 02Master numerical methods
- 03Configure ocean models
- 04Model coastal processes
- 05Use high-performance computing
- 06Validate and communicate results
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Ocean modeller: Developing and applying models at research centres.
02Coastal and port engineer: Hydrodynamic and wave studies for projects.
03Ocean forecasting specialist: Operational systems in marine services.
04Marine dynamics consultant: Dispersion, sediment and water quality studies.
05Scientific computing specialist: Code optimisation and HPC simulations.
06Marine science researcher: Projects on ocean processes and climate.
Questions
Entry Requirements
A background in calculus, differential equations and linear algebra at science or engineering degree level is recommended.
Open-source ocean, wave and coastal codes widely used in research and consultancy.
No. Practicals run in remote environments set up for the programme.
Yes. It covers applied coastal modelling, waves, sediments and harbour studies.
Configuring, running and validating a numerical model for a real marine or coastal area.
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 Numerical Ocean Modelling 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 physics, mathematics, marine science, civil, naval or mechanical engineering, or a related field; or proven professional experience in modelling or hydrodynamics. 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.