Master in Marine Biology and Global Change

General Objectives of the Course

Based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and on the 2030 Agenda, within the context of the United Nations, the Master in Marine Biology and Global Change aims to offer specialized and multidisciplinary training at an advanced level in different areas of Marine Biology and sustainability, namely: Valorisation of Marine Natural Resources and Ecosystem Services, Genetic Resources, Aquaculture and Fisheries and Sustainable Food System and its interaction with other Biological and Ecological subjects. To foster a critical appreciation of the scientific literature in order to develop the confidence required for independent work, in or out of science. • To provide the students a variety of transferable skills that will be helpful in future choice of career as well as direct contact with professors and scientists that do science in this field. The objectives of this master's degree will be fulfilled as follows: in each curricular unit students will have to do different tasks (practical or theoretical) according to the programme set by the teacher. The way and quality in which those tasks are performed express the student’s knowledge and is subjected to evaluation.

Admission Requirements

1 - Eligible applicants:
a) Holders of a bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental Engineering, Agricultural and Forestry Sciences,
Anthropology, Geography, Tourism, Territory and Heritage, Social Sciences and Humanities, or related fields or legal equivalent;
b) Holders of a foreign higher academic degree awarded following a first cycle of studies organized according to the principles of the
Bologna Process by a State adhering to this Process;
c) Holders of a higher academic degree obtained abroad that is recognized as satisfying the objectives of the bachelor's degree by
the Scientific Council of FCTUC;
d) In duly justified cases, holders of a school, scientific or professional curriculum relevant to attending this cycle of studies and
which, as such, is recognized by the Scientific Council of FCTUC.
2 - The recognition referred to in points b) to d) of paragraph 1 only allows access to the study cycle leading to a master's degree.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

Technicians in Marine Biology, Resources, Sustainability and Global Change; National and international experts in the aquaculture sector; Environmental managers and environmental and social responsibility of private companies; Senior technicians in municipalities and state agencies (ICNF, APA, DGAV, NGOs); Senior technicians in agro-environmental companies (e.g. animal production); Technicians responsible for supporting business innovation.

Mode of Study

Daytime

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese and/or English

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

As assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from the teaching process, its aim is to establish the students' competencies and knowledge, their critical sense, ability to recognize and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Students may only register for exams for classes they are currently enrolled. The following are examples of assessment items: Oral or written exams, written or practical work, individual and group projects that may require an oral defense, as well as class participation. Assessment for each class may include one or more of the above mentioned items. Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20 and a grade of 10 is required to pass. Whenever the grade comprises more than one item, the final grade is calculated by taking into account the relative weight of each item according a formula published in the course outline.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

This master has the goal to offer specialized training, inter and multidisciplinary at an advanced level in distinct areas of sustainable management, marine environmental protection and in the area of Marine Biology Resources. The acquired scientific and technical training in this matter is fundamental to understand the challenges associated to Human development and global changes linked to the sustainable management of marine biological Resources. Afte the conclusion of this Master course, the students should have acquired:
1. Instrumental skills, e.g. competence in synthesis and analysis, ability in organization and planning, competency in oral and writing communication, capacity to express themselves in English, to use informatics within the scope of their activities, competency in managing information, to solve problems and to make decisions.
2. Personal and Inter-personal competencies, e.g. competency in group work, competency in working in interdisciplinary teams, competencies in working within an international context, competency in critical reasoning, competency in understanding specialists’ language.
3. Systemic competencies, e.g. competencies in autonomous learning, in searching, capability to adjust to new situations, creativity, leadership, initiative and enterprising spirit, care about rigor and quality, competency in applying the theoretical knowledge, competency in planning and managing, in auto-criticism and auto-evaluation.
The way and quality in which they are performed by the students express their degree of fulfilment and is subjected to evaluation. Each responsible for the Curricular Unit defines and provides the students the information of the FUC that contains the indications needed for a successful performance by the students through their study programme that also includes a Dissertation or an Internship with a strong practical or theoric-practical component evaluated in the defence of the dissertation or of the internship, by a Jury.

Course Coordinator(s)

Filipe Miguel Duarte Martinho
uc41692@uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

António Xavier de Barros e Cunha Pereira Coutinho
cafe@bot.uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The legal framework for the qualification is established by the Decree-Law nr. 74/2006, 24th March, in its current wording, and Port. nº 782/2009 de July 23

Graduation Requirements

According to the study plan, students must fulfil 120 ECTS in total: 1st year (two semesters) – 60 ECTS; 2nd year - 60 ECTS: 3 ECTS correspond to the curricular unit “Thesis Project in Marine Biology and Global Change” (1st semester) and 57 ECTS to the curricular unit “Dissertation in Marine Biology and Global Change” (annual), which must be publicly defended before a jury or 57 ECTS in the curricular unit “Internship in Marine Biology and Global Change” (annual), which must be publicly defended before a jury.

Access to Further Studies

3rd cycle of studies.

Study Programme

Marine Biology and Global Change

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Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: MC73

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 2 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 120.0

Category: Advanced specialization second cycle

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Applications

Call for Applications

• 2nd Cycle Course
• Readmission

• Application submission
• Web page with information for candidates

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Calendar

1st Semester

Start date: 07-09-2026
End date: 18-12-2026

2nd Semester

Start date: 10-02-2027
End date: 20-05-2027

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Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior

Nº Registo: ACEF/2526/2000097

2026-07-31 a 2032-07-30

Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior

Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 285/2021/AL01

2026-03-27

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Documents