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¿What is the MMBC?
This Master program trains the student for the analysis and management of marine biodiversity across different time and space scales and levels of organization. The program will focus on the analysis of the relationship between biodiversity and function of the ecosystem, through the integration of theory, models, comparative analysis and carefully designed experiments, and will apply this knowledge to its sustainable management. This includes monitoring ecosystem health, marine aquaculture and recreational uses of marine ecosystems. Students of the MMBC will develop the skills for communication and team work, and will be qualified to serve as interface between science and society in those aspects related to research and management of marine biodiversity. This program is entirely taught in English, thus knowledge of Spanish is not a prerequisite.
¿Can we expect a demand of experts in Marine Biodiversity?
Marine biodiversity faces serious local, national, supranational and global threats involving depletion of fish stocks, contamination, habitat loss and global change. As a response to these threats local, national and supranational administrations devote an increasing effort to policies to manage and conserve marine biodiversity, what requires a high degree of conceptual, methodological and administrative specialization. The new European Marine Strategy Framework Directive aims at reaching an adequate environmental health for the European seas before 2021, and represents an example of an administrative initiative which will require a large number of experts on research and management of marine biodiversity.
Quality of the MMBC
This is an Official program, thus it is recognized across all the EU territory, and conforms to the European Space for Higher Education (The Bologna Declaration). This Master is an initiative of the Aquatic Ecology and Genetics of the Natural Resources research groups of the University of Oviedo both widely recognized at an international level. Among the participating institutions, we have the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, the University of Cantabria and the FIOCRUZ Institute at Brasil. The MMBC participates in the ERASMUS/MUNDUS European Master in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (EMBC). Thus, students of the MMBC will share their classroom with students from all over the world, and will benefit of excellent facilities, a multicultural environment and a full immersion into an English teaching environment. In addition, Oviedo is a small city of 200,000 with historic pedestrian only city center and classic cultural offerings (opera, orchestra). The location is ideal for those interested in active outdoor lifestyle, only 30 km from the coast (beaches, surfing) and 45 km from the Cantabrian mountains (hiking/backpacking, cycling, rockclimbing). More information is available on the University of Oviedo Webpage Guide for International Students.