Master in Marine Biology

The Master's course in Marine Biology presents unique conditions at the University of Algarve, as it has a fixed teaching staff with a doctorate in full time with international training in the areas of Biological Sciences and in the area of ​​Marine Sciences.

In addition, it has facilities and human and material resources which increase the value for the student, such as a scientific diving center, an experimental marine organism laboratory (LEOA), and a field station (Ramalhete Station), as well as nearby natural resources: Ria Formosa, Guadiana Estuary, sandy and rocky coasts, namely on the Vicentine Coast.

This MSc program also benefits from its sharing of course units and interaction with other international master's programs and scientific research in the area of ​​biology and marine sciences associated with research centers with excellent indicators of scientific production and projects in the area of Marine Biology, namely the Center for Marine Sciences (CCMAR), which has been rated as EXCELLENT in the latest assessment by the Foundation for Science and Technology, a major Portuguese funding body. There is also a second research center, the Center for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA), which has complementary resources of excellence, particularly in terms of Ecotoxicology and Coastal Dynamics.

Objectives

• Promote multidisciplinary advanced training in Marine Biology
• Providing skills for the analysis and understanding of marine biodiversity, from genes to ecosystems, their functioning and diversity
• To develop innovative applications for the management, conservation, and exploitation of marine ecosystems

Admission requirements

Conditions of access

• Degree in Biology or in a related field from a Portuguese university.
• Holders of a foreign higher education degree equivalent to a 1st cycle of studies organized following the Bologna Process
• by a state adhering to this process.
• Holders of a foreign higher education degree that is recognized as meeting the objectives of the degree of "licenciado" (bachelor of science).
• Holders of an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum attesting to the ability of the candidate to carry out the Master of Science in Aquaculture and Fisheries.
• An English knowledge equivalent to at least a full B level proficiency.

Note: The acceptance of a candidate based on criteria is the responsibility of the Scientific Council (Conselho Cientifico) of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology (Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia) of Algarve University. It does not confer to the candidate formal recognition or equivalency to the degree of "licenciado" or any other academic degree.

Criteria for selection of the candidates

• Adequacy of degree
• Classification of degree
• Academic, scientific, and professional curriculum;
• Global Profile;
• A face-to-face or videoconference interview may be required.

Necessary documentation

• Curriculum Vitae (with personal data, academics, and professionals).
• Transcript with completed modules and respective grades and credits with correspondence to the Portuguese scale (0-20, minimum pass grade: 10).
• Students currently attending a 1st cycle of studies may register conditionally, providing proof of completion of the degree in the enrollment act.
• Identity proof (ID or passport).

Scholarships & funding

As we are a public university, no studentships are available for Bachelor, Master, or Ph.D. degrees, independently of the student's nationality. Nevertheless, for the second academic year (thesis research) there is a possibility to apply for a studentship in research projects running in our science and technology centers. You can apply for a studentship while completing your first academic year of the Master but we cannot guarantee that there will be funding for all students for the second research year.

Tuition

• National Students: 1100 Euros
• International Students*: 4000 Euros
• Application Fee: 50 Euros
• Registration Fee and School Insurance: 175 Euros

Note: The tuition of this course can be paid in 10 installments, the first at the time of registration.

* in accordance with Decree-Law No. 36/2014, changed by Decree-Law No.62/2018, of 6th August, international students are nationals of a country that is not a Member State of the European Union and are not a legal resident in Portugal for more than 2 uninterrupted years by 1st of January of the enrollment year.

Career paths

Career Opportunities

Technical, scientific, and academic careers in:

• Marine conservation, fisheries resources use and management, marine biotechnology,
• Impact studies and monitoring of marine ecosystems;
• Marine ecosystems management;
• Marine biotecnological innovation;
• Marine natural products;
• Marine ecotourism;
• Marine environmental education.

This is an essential training component toward a higher degree (Ph.D.).