Academic Content

Training Tomorrow’s Ocean Leaders

The South African Master in Ocean Sciences (SAMOS) programme equips postgraduate students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to contribute meaningfully to research and practice across the diverse fields of Ocean Sciences. It offers a single, collaborative programme that draws together nine universities and national research institutes, along with associated infrastructure and international partners, to deliver a modern, high-quality degree.

Through an intentionally interdisciplinary and Afro-centric curriculum, the programme integrates physical and chemical oceanography, marine biology, marine social sciences, law and humanities, with strong quantitative, digital and professional skills. Within this framework, qualifying students will be able to apply current knowledge of Ocean Sciences to design, conduct and communicate scholarly research projects, building the disciplinary grounding and methodological capability needed to engage with the field at a postgraduate level.

This capacity is critically needed in South Africa, where ocean and coastal systems are changing rapidly under climate change, biodiversity loss and sustained human pressures such as urbanisation, over-exploitation of resources and weak environmental governance. The new knowledge, insights, and technologies generated through interdisciplinary research – and the people equipped to produce and apply them – are essential to addressing these challenges and supporting a sustainable and just blue economy.

Applications for the 2027 cohort are managed through a single-entry point at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Applicants will then register at the University of Cape Town or Nelson Mandela University*. The coursework takes place at the Nelson Mandela University Ocean Sciences Campus in Gqeberha, which offers modern teaching and research facilities. Students then complete their minor dissertation at one of the SAMOS South African partner universities.

*Nelson Mandela University is currently awaiting its final accreditation from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for the South African Master in Ocean Sciences. SAMOS-NRF funded students will be required to transfer and register at Nelson Mandela University once the required accreditations are received.

AOS-SAMOS Course Structure

This is a full-time taught Master programme (180 credits) commencing in February 2027, comprising coursework (90 credits) and a minor dissertation (90 credits). The programme runs over one or two years, with NRF-funded students able to defer the dissertation to the second year. Students also benefit from a seminar series featuring national and international experts, and site visits to public and private sector stakeholders.

The coursework provides interdisciplinary vocational training in applied aspects of oceanography and marine biology for future ocean professionals. It equips students to work in the ocean services sector, with a focus on operational, conservation, and consulting activities across ecosystem characterisation, food, water quality, and other aspects of the Blue Economy. The curriculum offers a common foundational module followed by electives, allowing students to specialise across the Ocean Sciences. The course is designed for both recent graduates as well as those with minimum five years’ work experience**.

It is a cohort-based programme with active learning at its core. Through team- and project-based activities guided by lecturers, tutors, and peers, students develop critical thinking and practical problem-solving alongside the interpersonal and collaborative skills valued by socio-economic stakeholders.

The coursework component is delivered at Nelson Mandela University Ocean Sciences Campus, Gqeberha, over 24 weeks between February and August 2027. Students must be physically present at Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, for the coursework period. Click to view the Ocean Sciences Campus Video at Nelson Mandela University.

**Candidates who don’t meet the academic requirements can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if they meet the requirements which includes a minimum five years’ work experience. Visit the Recognition of Prior Learning Overview page for more information.

COURSEWORK COMPONENT*** (90 credits)

Foundational (core) Modules

this core module focuses on paths to achieving sustainability in marine social-ecological systems. It will address the task’s complexity, and introduce students to varied concepts and approaches, using African examples where possible. The treated topics include project management, economics, law, socio-cultural systems, and institutional and governance arrangements.

this core module ensures all students have basic knowledge of key physical, chemical, geological and biological concepts to help them understand how marine ecosystems function. Ecosystems will be covered in an interdisciplinary context, using African examples from eastern and western boundaries, the tropical and polar regions.

this core module will provide introductory numerical skills in handling and analysing data. It will cover major statistical concepts and provide background in scientific programming, data management, and data visualisation (including mapping), focusing on the main applications in ocean sciences. Key packages include Ocean Data View, R and Python.

Elective modules****

this module introduces the concept of the Sustainable Blue Economy, equipping students to weigh the benefits, trade-offs and tensions involved in using ocean resources responsibly. Working across sectors such as aquaculture, fisheries, biotechnology, maritime transport, renewable energy, seabed mining and tourism, students engage with ecosystem services, valuation methods and approaches to sustainable development in an explicitly interdisciplinary way. Through parallel thematic courses and an applied project set in the South African context, participants develop a practical, sector-specific sustainability plan.

this module tackles the “hot topics” reshaping ocean social-ecological systems, from climate change, blue carbon and ocean acidification to fisheries in the Anthropocene, harmful algal blooms, plastic pollution and invasive species. It integrates environmental, biological and human dimensions, keeping students abreast of contemporary debates and equipped to stay current as the science evolves. Assessment centres on developing a draft national development plan framework for a chosen issue, combining science, policy and stakeholder perspectives.

this module gives students a working understanding of ecosystem-based management (EBM) in the marine context – why it is needed, how it differs from single-sector approaches, and which tools support integrated decision-making. Students engage with Integrated Ecosystem Assessments, Marine Spatial Planning, indicator-based assessments and ecosystem models (Ecopath/Ecosim/Ecospace and Atlantis), and build their own conceptual ecosystem model to address a management question. Hands-on presentations, panel discussions and scientific gaming develop both analytical and communication skills.

this module introduces the application of models across the ocean sciences, with worked examples spanning physical, biogeochemical, atmospheric, molecular, fisheries and ecosystem modelling. Drawing on both off-the-shelf and student-developed models, the emphasis is on learning to apply models and interpret and use their results, rather than on the underlying mathematics. Expert-led seminars and hands-on exercises culminate in a modelling mini-project.

this module introduces participants to Earth Observation (EO) and Operational Oceanography as complementary approaches to monitoring, understanding, and predicting the marine environment. Remote sensing has transformed how the ocean is observed at scale, while operational oceanography translates these observations, along with in-situ data and numerical models, into routine products and forecasts that support decision-making across science, policy and industry. Part 1 focuses on Marine EO and grounds participants in the physical and methodological basis of satellite oceanography, including the principles of electromagnetic radiation, atmospheric effects, ocean–light interactions, and the distinction between passive and active sensors on polar-orbiting and geostationary platforms. Part 2 turns to Operational Oceanography, introducing its core elements and the role of integrated satellite and in-situ observations in sustaining marine forecasting services, with particular attention to the Copernicus Marine Service and visualisation tools such as the Ocean Data Lab portal.

this module introduces participants to Earth Observation (EO) and Operational Oceanography as complementary approaches to monitoring, understanding, and predicting the marine environment. Remote sensing has transformed how the ocean is observed at scale, while operational oceanography translates these observations, along with in-situ data and numerical models, into routine products and forecasts that support decision-making across science, policy and industry. Part 1 focuses on Marine EO and grounds participants in the physical and methodological basis of satellite oceanography, including the principles of electromagnetic radiation, atmospheric effects, ocean–light interactions, and the distinction between passive and active sensors on polar-orbiting and geostationary platforms. Part 2 turns to Operational Oceanography, introducing its core elements and the role of integrated satellite and in-situ observations in sustaining marine forecasting services, with particular attention to the Copernicus Marine Service and visualisation tools such as the Ocean Data Lab portal.

this module covers analytical and computational tools that demand a deeper level of understanding before they can be applied to data. Students are taught the theory behind a chosen advanced tool – selected from areas such as bioinformatics, geographical information systems, multivariate analysis, scientific programming, or satellite oceanography – and gain hands-on experience applying it to real data, including high-performance computing for large datasets and advanced data visualisation. Assessment is through a mini-project demonstrating competent use of the tool.

this module introduces the increasingly sophisticated instruments and technologies used in ocean sciences research, drawing on specialised expertise and facilities distributed across the consortium’s partner sites. Focusing on one or more tools – for example, advanced microscopy, flow cytometry, high-throughput sequencing and metagenomics, imaging tools, mass spectrometry, proteomics or stable isotope analysis – students learn the underlying theory, best practice in sample preparation and analysis, and how to critically evaluate the results, so that they are competent to use the equipment in their own research. Assessment is through a mini-project demonstrating use of the tool or technique.

this module addresses the foundational knowledge needed to understand and monitor the impacts of human activity in the ocean, making specialised expertise from across the consortium available to all students. Topics include the taxonomy of key marine groups, field and laboratory skills for monitoring marine environments, experimental approaches for sea-ice and cold-water polar systems, environmental impact assessment and ecotoxicology, tangible and intangible ocean heritage, and the application of research in conservation and management. Students generate and interpret baseline information and learn to use multiple sources of evidence to detect change, with the assessment through a mini-project that connects a practical tool to the assessment of impacts and change.

***Nelson Mandela University is currently awaiting its final accreditation from the South African Qualification Authorities for the South African Master of Ocean Sciences. If the accreditation is completed by January 2027, students will register at Nelson Mandela University for the coursework component. Students conducting their minor dissertation at the University of Cape Town will be able to transfer the coursework credits.

****The list is only indicative and may be subject to modification.

Minor Dissertation (90 Credits)

This course equips students specialising in a field of ocean sciences, with research design and project execution skills to address issues and demands related to different ocean sciences disciplines. Students may register for the minor dissertation across a range of disciplines offered by the SAMOS partner universities and will be based at the university of their main supervisor*****.

Note that students applying for funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF) must identify a supervisor and agree on a research project prior to their application. Eligible candidates are encouraged to contact prospective supervisors early. See the SAMOS Research thematics page for a list of available research projects across the partner universities.

*****NRF-funded students will be required to transfer and register at Nelson Mandela University for the minor dissertation.

  1. Apply a whole-of-systems approach to sustainability within an ocean sciences context
  2. Integrate knowledge of the dynamics of regional marine ecosystems to construct new knowledge and address ocean sciences problems
  3. Apply quantitative skills in collecting and analysing ocean sciences data
  4. Select and research an appropriate topic based on a theoretical or practical problem that is relevant to the ocean sciences and that will result in some form of theoretical or practical contribution to knowledge in an ocean sciences related field in the form of a treatise or journal article
  5. Apply analytical and computational tools that require enhanced understanding to ocean sciences related data sets
  6. Apply models in ocean sciences, with specific examples of applications in different disciplines
  7. Apply some of the increasingly complex tools and technologies being used in ocean sciences
  8. Use baseline information and methods for monitoring change to understand and monitor the impacts of human activities in the ocean
  9. Investigate approaches to sustainable development linked to various economic sectors
  10. Deconstruct “hot topics” that threaten ocean sustainability or provide new opportunities for economic activities, particularly those arising from global change
  11. Be proficient in working in multi-disciplinary teams to address problems and issues in ocean sciences