Course catalogue - Blue Managers


COURSE CATALOGUE

BLUE MANAGERS


Common core modules - modules are mandatory for all students
BLUECO1 | Introduction to General & Marine Ecology

INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL & MARINE ECOLOGY

BLUECO1 lays the groundwork for students with minimal life science backgrounds to understand and manage marine environments effectively. It introduces oceanography, covering oceanic history, modern techniques, and geological and physico-chemical principles, alongside ecological concepts starting with terrestrial ecosystems. A refresher on fundamental biological concepts is available for those in need. 

program: Blue Managers
code name: BLUECO1
Blue Manager specialization: all 
Blue Manager credits: 6 ECTS
semester: Fall (semester 1)

UN Sustainable Development Goals:

BLUECO2 | Ecology of Conservation for Blue Managers

ECOLOGY OF CONSERVATION FOR BLUE MANAGERS

Following BLUECO1, this module expands into biological oceanography, detailing ocean divisions and key biological groups. It transitions to marine biodiversity with a spotlight on plankton and their roles in conservation. The course concludes by exploring marine ecology, studying ecosystem processes and the impacts of global disturbances.


program: Blue Managers
code name: BLUECO2
Blue manager specialization: all 
Blue Manager credits: 6 ECTS
semester: Spring (semester 2)

UN Sustainable Development Goals:

BLUE | Blue Sustainable Development

BLUE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

As the intersection of science, environment and socio-economics at sea, BLUE explores how these interdisciplinary dimensions combine for community development and marine ecosystem conservation. It introduces the economics of the ocean and provides a foundation in environmental economics and ecosystem services with recent case studies.

program: Science & Society, Blue Managers
code name: BLUE
Blue Manager specialization: all 
Blue Manager credits: 6 ECTS
semester: Fall (semester 1)

UN Sustainable Development Goals:

► More about this module
MARCEL | Marine Resource & Environmental Law

MARINE RESOURCE & ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

The law of the sea and marine resources is presented in MARCEL through the dimension of international law and its application at the national and regional regulatory levels. This module aims at understanding how the different actors can combine their actions at sea, and what can and cannot be done with regard to marine resources.

program: Science & Society, Blue Managers
code name: MARCEL
Blue Manager specialization: all 
Blue Manager credits: 6 ECTS
semester: Fall (semester 1)

UN Sustainable Development Goals:

► More about this module
SKILLS | Transferrable Skills

TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS

SKILLS equips students with a set of tools in Information Systems (R, GIS), Personal Development (project management, career development, presentation coaching) and Social Science (citizen science, social surveys, indigenous & local knowledge, public communication, ethics).

program: Science & Society, Blue Managers
code name: SKILLS
Blue Manager specialization: all 
Blue Manager credits: 6 ECTS
semester: Fall (semester 1)


► More about this module

Electives - students select one module
EQUAL | Environmental Quality & Impact Assessment

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & IMPACT ASSESSMENT

EQUAL prepares students for environmental consultancy careers by introducing marine ecological quality and environmental impact assessment (EIA) concepts and methods from academic, regulatory, and operational perspectives, covering research, legal and policy frameworks, and consulting practices.

program: Science & Society, Blue Managers
code name: EQUAL
Blue Manager specialization: all 
Blue Manager credits: 6 ECTS
semester: Fall (semester 1)

UN Sustainable Development Goals:

► More about this module
SENSAI | Ocean Remote Sensing & Artificial Intelligence

OCEAN REMOTE SENSING & ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

SENSAI examines the use of remote sensing and AI in enhancing ocean knowledge, management, and socio-economic applications for fisheries, aquaculture, and planning, through partnerships with Copernicus Academy and ACRI-ST, aiming for improved understanding, protection, and resource utilization.

program: Science & Society, Blue Managers
code name: SENSAI
Blue Manager specialization: all 
Blue Manager credits: 6 ECTS
semester: Fall (semester 1)

UN Sustainable Development Goals:

► More about this module

Specialization - students select one specialization
CONSERVATION & HUMAN IMPACT MANAGEMENT 
BLUFISH | Fisheries for Blue Managers

FISHERIES FOR BLUE MANAGERS

To understand the scientific and socio-economic aspects of fisheries, BLUFISH covers the biology and ecology of exploited species, fishing gears and techniques, fisheries monitoring, the effect of fisheries on marine ecosystems, the socio-economic effects of global changes related to fisheries, as well as aquaculture and aquariology for food production and research.


program: Blue Managers
code name: BLUFISH
Blue manager specialization: Conservation & Human Impact Management 
Blue manager credits: 6 ECTS
semester: Spring (semester 2)

UN Sustainable Development Goals:

► More about this module
BLUFIN | Implementation of marine conservation

IMPLEMENTATION OF MARINE CONSERVATION

BLUFIN's goal is to design a marine protected area under realistic conditions, offering practical tools for understanding marine conservation's work environment, including management, planning, and financing aspects. With professionals, students lead a personal project to establish their protected area, completed with a feasibility study, management plan, and financing plan.
 

program: Blue Managers
code name: BLUFIN
Blue manager specialization: Conservation & Human Impact Management 
Blue manager credits: 6 ECTS
semester: Spring (semester 2)

UN Sustainable Development Goals:

► More about this module
 


MARINE RESOURCE INNOVATION
BLUNEX | Marine Resource Valorisation & Bioinspiration

MARINE RESOURCE VALORISATION & BIOINSPIRATION

BLUNEX explores the science of marine biotechnology, linking organisms' natural chemical defenses to human benefits (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, neutraceuticals), and explores valorization via algal biomass and biopolymers. It introduces bioinspiration, leading students to develop organism-inspired solutions, and concludes with student-led seminars and outreach material creation.


program: Blue Managers
code name: BLUNEX
Blue manager specialization: Marine Resource Innovation
credits: 6 ECTS
semester: Spring (semester 2)

UN Sustainable Development Goals:

► More about this module
BLUNOV | Entrepreneurship & Innovation for Blue Managers

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION FOR BLUE MANAGERS

Complementing BLUNEX, this module facilitates the transformation of scientific discoveries related to marine organisms into market-ready innovations. ENOV delivers targeted coaching to maximize the impact of student projects, encouraging innovation and practical application.

program: Blue Managers
code name: BLUNOV
Blue manager specialization: Marine Resource Innovation
credits: 6 ECTS
semester: Spring (semester 2)

UN Sustainable Development Goals:

► More about this module


 
CONTINUE YOUR EXPLORATION