OceanTeacher Global Academy

The course serves as an introduction to R programming language and software environment (RStudio) for data exploration, cleaning, organizing, analysis and visualization. Relevant oceanographic (physical, chemical and biological) datasets will be used in the training, making it easy to relate, understand and apply the course concept. The course is designed for Early Career Ocean Professionals, hence, no prior experience is required. 

Ocean colour analysis is a proven tool for determining the health of ocean using oceanic biological activity through optical means. Phytoplankton pigment, chlorophyll, are indicators of equilibrium of CO₂ concentration between atmosphere and ocean. The oceanic colour changes due to chlorophyll a provides the level of primary productivity whereas the colour change due to CDOM can be attributed to the level of pollution and higher particulate matter. The ability of optical sensors to map the spatial and temporal patterns of ocean colour over regional and global scales has provided important insights into the fundamental bio-optical properties and bio-physical processes occurring in the aquatic media. Chlorophyll, SST and PAR can be operationally scaled up to estimate primary production and estimate the fish stocks. This training focuses on the basics of marine optics, ocean colour remote sensing, and its applications such as mapping primary productivity, phytoplankton classes and algal blooms.

Este curso tem como objectivo abordar ferramentas utilizadas para visualizar e analisar dados marinhos obtidos através de sensoriamento remoto, com aplicações para as mais variadas áreas das ciências marinhas e ambientais.

O curso decorrerá presencialmente em Maputo, Moçambique, entre 21 a 25 de agosto de 2023, sendo o conteúdo do treinamento abordando:

(1) passo-a-passo para baixar dados de plataformas digitais

(2) ferramentas de visualização dados (mapas e planilhas)

(3) elaboração de gráficos

(4) desenvolvimento de um produto baseado nos conteúdos do curso. 

Os gráficos e mapas obtidos poderão ser usados para análises científicas do estado do mar e para análises de gestão de recursos costeiros. Essas etapas serão realizadas com base em dados livres disponíveis online, dados de satélite de acesso livre e dados localmente colhidos-que os cursantes tenham em mãos; e no uso dos programas QGIS e do programa PANOPLY para elaboração de mapas e gráficos. O curso é gratuíto e está aberto para participantes nacionais e internacionais (até o limite de vagas), de todas as áreas das ciências marinhas e ambientais, com possibilidade de apoio para viagens.

The training course aims to exchange expertise on data management and publication and strengthen bilateral cooperation between KMFRI and VLIZ. The research data cycle will be addressed from start to end, followed by a hands-on session on how to make your data FAIR and prepare them for publication

This training course will provide and introduction to sample collection and sorting, including taxonomy and processing for DNA extraction, eDNA and qPCR analyses, as well as a quick guide on the use of the bioinformatics for sequence analysis to in-country (Fiji) managers and technical staff.

El curso implica obtener conocimientos teóricos/prácticos para hacer trabajo de campo y muestreo en estuarios, humedales costeros y playas desde un punto de vista de la oceanografía física y geológica con relación a temas tanto biológicos como químicos. En cada caso se introducirán los equipos necesarios para cada ambientes con detalles de cómo se operan, calibran y se accede a los datos. Como se diseñan y desarrollan los trabajos de campo y el análisis de los riesgos que ellos implican. Se explicarán las técnicas de trabajo en laboratorio para el análisis de muestras. Finalmente se impartirán rudimentos de manejo de bases de datos y de métodos básicos de análisis de los datos.

This training course is self-guided and designed to teach learners how to structure datasets to contribute to OBIS. The course will guide users step-by-step through the OBIS data life cycle, including: identifying an appropriate data structure, applying Darwin Core Archive formatting, conducting quality control steps, publishing data, and accessing data from OBIS.  Watch the video below for a brief overview and introduction by the course instructor, Elizabeth Lawrence.

Learning goals

• Understand Darwin Core (DwC) standards 
• Format datasets following DwC standards
• Publish datasets to OBIS using an IPT
• Access data that has been published to OBIS

Target audience

Anyone with marine biodiversity data interested in publishing data to OBIS, OBIS nodes, or those who need to review specific steps in the data publication process.

Learner assessment

This is a self-taught course that includes quizzes designed to help learners assess their own learning at regular intervals. In order to successfully complete the course and award a Certificate at the end, the following is mandatory:

• complete all lessons in each Module of the course;
• complete all quizzes (80% minimum score for each quiz, unlimited attempts for each quiz, 30-minute time limit for each attempt);
• submit the assignments and receive a minimum grade of 80% or 'satisfactory' according to the exercise type.

Note: filling in the course feedback survey is mandatory to obtain the course certificate.

Pre-requisites:

• a working knowledge of English
• background knowledge in biological and marine sciences
• basic computer skills (either Windows or Mac systems)
• the ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g. following a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills)

Technology requirements

To complete this course, participants should have access to:

• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari web browsers
• Access to internet

Course duration and format

The course will be delivered online between 2nd October 2023 and 16 February 2023. The estimated time to complete the self-paced course is approximately 32 hours.

To enrol, please register on the OceanExpert website (www.oceanexpert.org). Once your OceanExpert account is Approved, you can self-enrol in the course. If you already have an OceanExpert account, you can self-enrol in the course using your OceanExpert user name and password.

The enrolment key is OBIS*MASTERCLASS

The course is available until 16 February 2024. Enrolment is available until 1 February 2024

Any specific questions about this course please contact: the OBIS secretariat (helpdesk@obis.org) always using the name of the course as email subject.

This training course has been developed with financial support from NORAD and LifeWatch ERIC.

El curso tiene una orientación técnica destinada a brindar los pasos fundamentales para la recolección de muestras y la metodología a aplicar durante el desarrollo de actividades de investigación vinculadas a la Biogeoquímica y la Microbiología Marina que pueden concretarse durante una campaña de investigación oceanográfica. Los contenidos permitirán abordar, con distintos enfoques, el estudio de diversos grupos de microorganismos que viven en la columna de agua o en dependencia de un sustrato, las condiciones biogeoquímicas asociadas, incluyendo contaminación por nano- y microplásticos. Se tratarán los pros y cons de los métodos de colecta, filtración y fraccionamiento de las muestras con distintos objetivos, las fuentes de error y el equipamiento requerido para efectuar mediciones, entre otros aspectos. 

The course serves as an introduction to R programming language and software environment (RStudio) for data exploration, cleaning, organizing, analysis and visualization. Relevant oceanographic (physical, chemical and biological) datasets will be used in the training, making it easy to relate, understand and apply the course concept. The course is designed for Early Career Ocean Professionals, hence, no prior experience is required.