Inauguration of the UBʼs degree in Marine Sciences
On Wednesday 23 September, at 12.30 p.m., the Aula Magna of the Faculty of Geology hosts the inauguration of the degree in Marine Sciences of the University of Barcelona (UB), pioneer at Catalan universities. The degree, taught together with the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), is one of the main novelties that the University of Barcelona offers in the academic year 2015-2016.
The degree consolidates marine studies in Catalonia, thirty years after the development of the PhD Programme in Marine Sciences, and eight years after the implementation of the master's degree in Oceanography and Marine Environmental Management
On Wednesday 23 September, at 12.30 p.m., the Aula Magna of the Faculty of Geology hosts the inauguration of the degree in Marine Sciences of the University of Barcelona (UB), pioneer at Catalan universities. The degree, taught together with the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), is one of the main novelties that the University of Barcelona offers in the academic year 2015-2016.
The degree consolidates marine studies in Catalonia, thirty years after the development of the PhD Programme in Marine Sciences, and eight years after the implementation of the master's degree in Oceanography and Marine Environmental Management
The opening ceremony is chaired by the dean of the Faculty of Geology, Lluís Cabrera. Participating personalities `are: Maribel Rosselló, vice-rector of Teaching Policy of the UPC; M. Marcelo Devincenzi, representative of the company Igeotest; Albert Palanques, director of the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMC-CSIC); Antoni Munné, head of the Department of Aquatic Ecosystem Control and Improvement of the Catalan Water Agency; Joandomènec Ros, president of the Institute for Catalan Studies (IEC) and professor in the Department of Ecology of the UB; Gustavo Llorente, dean of the Faculty of Biology, and Miquel Canals, professor in the Department of Stratigraphy, Paleontology and Marine Geosciences of the UB and president of the committee that has created the degree in Marine Sciences at the UB. The inauguration includes the opening lecture "L'oceà : Un sistema microbià" (The ocean: a microbial system), pronounced by Carles Pedrós-Alió, member of the IMC-CSIC.
Marine sciences: international projection of marine research and management
The degree in Marine Sciences has been taught in Spain since 1982. It has turned into a challenge for the future as it is an excellent interdisciplinary approach to marine and environmental management issues. The degree in Marine Sciences of the UB has a total of 240 ECTS, which are divided into four years. Sixty places are offered every academic year. Its course syllabus is centred on marine biology, marine geology and marine ecology, and it particularly emphasizes transversal, instrumental and professionalising contents.
Students receive interdisciplinary training focused not only on geology and biology, but also on the rest of basic sciences and some aspects related to law and economics. The degree is part of the offerings of the Faculty of Geology and it will be developed in coordination with the Faculty of Biology, the faculties of Pharmacy, Physics, Law and Economics and Business of the UB, and the UPC.
Miquel Canals affirms that "the degree offers great professional opportunities as it gathers such important sectors as food, energy, management, sea action planning, marine environment, etc. Graduates will be able to join private companies, administrations, research centres and international organizations".
"The UB, with the support provided by the UPC and other collaborating institutions, is committed to train excellent marine sciences professionals. Our goal is that graduates, besides enjoying sea knowledge, become prestigious professionals with a good position in global labour market”, says Canals.
It is important to remember that last June the UB participated in the session that established the Council of Deans of Marine Sciences, an organization that gathers the coordinators of the degree in Marine Sciences at the different Spanish universities that offer it.