Introduction

The bachelor's degree in Marine Sciences at the University of Barcelona trains professionals in the field using a transdisciplinary approach, offering broad-based, rigorous training in biology, geology and other basic sciences, as well as in aspects of law, economics and sea management.
 
The bachelor's degree in Marine Sciences uses advanced tools and extensive practical training to give students the expertise to access and adapt to a highly changing workplace, in a geographical setting with a large concentration of research centres, companies and administrations with activities related to the sea. It prepares professionals to conduct research in the various fields of the marine sciences, to advise government agencies and companies on matters falling within their purview (marine resources, environmental issues, impacts, etc.), and to train other scientists and specialists.

The degree content is broadly applicable to a range of sectors, in particular the food industry (wild and farmed products); energy (exploration and exploitation in the renewable and non-renewable sectors); coastal and marine management, planning and conservation; operational oceanography; scientific research and teaching.

Basic information

TypeBachelor's degrees
Faculty or schoolFaculty of Earth Sciences
Branch of knowledge
  • Sciences
Mode of delivery

face-to-face

Credits240
Number of places available

60

Length of course4 academic years
Language(s) of instructionCatalan 82.2%, Spanish 15%, English 2.8%
Admission grade

10.228 (July 2024, start of process, via official entrance examinations/vocational training)

 

Approximate price per credit18,46 €
Compulsory placementsNo
CoordinatorMARIA NIEVES OTERO PEREZ
E-mail capest-cienciesmar@ub.edu
Course detailsIndicators

Objectives and competences

Objectives

The bachelor's degree in Marine Sciences of the University of Barcelona aims to train professionals in the field of marine sciences and their fields of application. By means of a multidisciplinary approach and the use of advanced tools in the field of marine sciences, paying attention to practical aspects, it is intended to train graduates capable of carrying out the following activities:

  • To study, characterize, model and manage the marine and coastal environment, in its natural state or affected by human activities.
  • To advise on matters in which they are competent, such as marine resources, environmental issues and impact, among others, at the request of public administrations or companies.
  • To conduct research in the different thematic fields of marine sciences.
  • To train, in turn, other scientists and technicians.

 

In this sense, graduates in Marine Sciences must be able to understand, evaluate and integrate the contributions of specialists from different thematic fields, and to manage and coordinate work teams that can respond to a wide range of questions in the the field of marine sciences. In short, they must have solid and broad knowledge that facilitates their access to companies, the administration, research centres, educational centres and other institutions and organizations with activities related to the coasts and the sea, as well as the resources and uses that they have, and tools that allow them to adapt to a highly changing work environment.

Competences

Basic and General Competences

  • Ability to understand and apply knowledge in the professional field.
  • Ability to gather and interpret data to provide thoughtful judgements.
  • Ability to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to a diverse audience.
  • Ability to learn.
  • Responsibility, creativity, initiative and adaptation.
  • Capacity for criticism and self-criticism.
  • Ability to work in teams.
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
  • Ability to use information technologies.
  • Professional, social and environmental ethical commitment.


Competences specific to the degree

  • Ability to apply best practices to the work at the sea, in the countryside and in the laboratory, using instrumental techniques and methods of observation specific to the ocean.
  • Ability to plan applied work, and evaluate, process, visualize and interpret data from the field of marine sciences.
  • Ability to recognize the diversity and evolution of the geological environments, to map and classify the marine subsoil and background, and identify the risks of marine origin.
  • Ability to recognize, take stock and evaluate biodiversity, identify and describe habitats and ecosystems, detect threats, and propose management and conservation measures.
  • Ability to identify masses of water, define their properties and characterize their dynamics, their variability at different time scales and their relation to global change.
  • Ability to diagnose human impact and problems associated with the sustainable use and exploitation of living and non-living marine resources, and propose measures for mitigation and correction.
  • Ability to develop, validate and apply indicators of the environmental state of the marine environment to monitoring and surveillance programs.
  • Ability to apply basic principles of economics and the right to the management of the marine environment and its resources.

Access and admission

Applicant profile and access requirements

Recommended applicant profile

The bachelor's degree in Marine Sciences offers a cross disciplinary approach through the scientific disciplines that come together and intend to intertwine the student's knowledge with the needs of society. Therefore, in addition to the skills of any university student (initiative, curiosity, ability to work in a team, etc.), it is advisable to have a base (at the high school level) of physics, chemistry, mathematics, geology and biology; basic notions of English; knowledge of basic computer tools; interest in acquiring solid scientific training, in knowing the relationships between science and society, and in knowing interdisciplinary and comprehensive visions; vocation to interact with various social agents and for marine sciences, and social, environmental and ethical sensitivity. It is recommended to read about related topics, contact the marine environment, attend dissemination activities, make courses on skills that can be useful (computer science, English, etc.), pay attention to the scientific subjects in high school, contact marine scientists and develop reading and writing skills.

Access requirements and conditions

Admission for students with studies completed outside Spain.

Applicants holding higher educational qualifications from a university outside Spain should consult the page Admission with foreign qualifications to find out about specific admission requirements.
 

Pre-enrolment

Students that have studied abroad and who wish to study at the University of Barcelona may be admitted to EHEA bachelor's degree courses. Procedures for gaining admission will depend on the qualifications held by each applicant.

For further information about admission, consult the page Admission with foreign qualifications.
 

Enrolment

As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online via the Món UB portal. To find out the date and time you have been assigned, check the specific information for your course. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned.

Academic information


Schedules

Welcome

Support and guidance

Pre-enrolment information and events

 

Course curriculum

Subjects and course plans

Distribution of credits

Type ECTS
Basic training 60
Compulsory 150
Optional 18
Compulsory placements 0
Compulsory final project 12
TOTAL 240

List of subjects

Subject Language Type Credits
Biology I 1st semester Basic training 6
Chemistry I 1st semester Basic training 6
Geology I 1st semester Basic training 6
Introduction to Marine Sciences 1st semester Compulsory 6
Mathematics I 1st semester Basic training 6
Biology II 2nd semester Basic training 6
Chemistry II 2nd semester Basic training 6
Geology II 2nd semester Basic training 6
Mathematics II 2nd semester Basic training 6
Physics I 2nd semester Basic training 6

Pathways and specializations

Marine Sciences
Check the planning of the different pathways of the degree

Previous years

Placements

Placements are supervised by tutors and subject to assessment.They are therefore included in the academic record.  There is also an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 500 hours, which can be extended to 900 hours. For both curricular and non-curricular placements, an educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.
 

Institutional information

Career opportunities

What can you work on ?

Graduates in Marine Sciences have a solid and encompassing knowledge that facilitates their access to companies, public administration, research centres, and educational centres and other institutions and organizations with activities related to the coasts and the sea.


Graduates in this degree can access a range of sectors, in particular the food industry (wild and farmed products); energy (exploration and exploitation in the renewable and non-renewable sectors); coastal and marine management (assessment and consulting), planning and conservation (environmental quality); operational oceanography; scientific research and teaching.

Data from the university system in Catalonia

Contact us

Faculty of Earth Sciences

Martí i Franqués, s/n - 08028 Barcelona

Secretary: 934 021 336
secretaria.ciencies.terra@ub.edu
 

Questions mailbox