Ocean Alive Summer Course

Ocean Alive Summer Course is a marine science and experiential learning program promoted by Ocean Alive NGO and Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal. It is specially aimed to those who dream of a future career with impact in solving conflicts regarding ocean sustainability.

The course will take place in Setúbal, Portugal, one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Setúbal city is located close to the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, classified as an important area for nature conservation, and Arrábida Natural Park, a hotspot of marine biodiversity and the first marine protected area which was implemented in Portugal.

Ocean Alive is a portuguese NGO dedicated to transform behaviours for ocean protection through education and engaging local communities. It is known by its award-winning project "Seagrass Guardians". Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal aims to be reference in higher education.

The scientific main topics of the course are:

*water quality and human impacts
*marine ecology: nursury habitats and key species
*monitoring techniques and ocean health
*climate change and blue carbon

Know more: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AmOcUR2Fy7V4wHY2BsKDscVpUHZn

Course leader

The team leaders of the scientific program is composed of academic experts of the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal in the fields of marine biotechnology and environmental monitoring and passionate marine biologists from Ocean Alive local NGO.

One of th

Target group

Do you dream of a future career with impact in solving conflicts regarding ocean sustainability?

This marine science course is proposed to students >18 years old.
It will improve your skills in a network of scientific experts, a NGO and the local community

Course aim

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this course the student will understand the influence of the ocean on us, on the planet, and
vice versa (principles of ocean literacy); identify challenges, conflicts and opportunities for this relationship;
know key measures on ocean sustainability through the example of nursery habitats (seagrass meadows
and rocky reefs) and marine protected areas; to know and apply scientific methodologies in the field and in
the laboratory, which generate knowledge for the evaluation of the state, monitoring and management of
marine ecosystems; recognize the natural capital of marine ecosystem services, in particular the
importance of blue carbon in mitigating climate change; to develop an integrated reflection balancing the
needs of a healthy ocean and society; innovative solution to the challenges to the conservation of coastal
marine areas; and community-led conservation initiatives.

Syllabus
1.-Environmental threats and water quality
Sedimentary dynamics. Water quality assessment parameters. Environmental issues and threats.
2.-Nursery habitats and marine protected areas
Importance of nursery habitats. Rocky reefs. Seagrass meadows. Marine protected areas and management
tools. Field trips in nursery habitats.
3.-Study and monitoring of coastal areas
Methodologies of environmental monitoring in marine habitats. Biodiversity. Citizen science.
Field sampling for biological samples and water samples.
4.-Natural Capital and Services of Marine Ecosystems
Marine ecosystem services. Climate change and the carbon cycle. The importance of "blue" carbon (marine
sequestration). Calculation of carbon sequestration in marine seagrass meadows: assessment of its natural
capital.
5.- Conservation led by the local community
Case study of the “Seagrass Guardians" project. Objectives, implementation and actions of the project.
Challenges and reflections of sustainability with the community.

Credits info

3 EC
This course enables participants to get 3 ECTS (credits) certificate, if the course is completed successfully.

The duration of the course is 10 days, a total 80 hours. Lectures, practical and laboratory work comprise 30h. Autonomous work comprise 50h aiming the completion of a final evaluation project. Students will experience a variety of environments such as field work, water sports, cultural and community activities.

Fee info

EUR 150: Registration fee. This fee is included in the total fee amount (1500€), but is not included for the students whose costs will be covered by a Santander scholarship.
EUR 1350: The course will be held with a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 20 participants.

The course fee of the 10 days Ocean Alive marine science summer course is 1500 euros. It includes: transfer from the airport (one bus ride on the 8th and on the 19 of July) meals and accommodation
transportation, lectures, activities and program materials.

The fee does not cover insurance (please see more detail in "requirements").

Scholarships

A total of 12 grants will be awarded through Santander Scholarships program:

3 grants partially funded covering 2/3 of the costs (1000 euros)
9 grants fully funded covering the total course costs (1500 euros)

Grants do not cover the registration fe