Program access information

Objectives

The PhD Program in Marine and Coastal Science and Technology aims to train PhDs with research training in different scientific and technological aspects relevant to the effective and sustainable management of marine and coastal areas, acquired in the context of different lines of research in the field of the application of different scientific and technological advances in these environments to promote the advancement of new procedures, methodologies and techniques that allow better management of the coastal and maritime environment, considering both sociological, ecological, and environmental aspects, and efficiency in the management of resources.

Recommended entry profile

The recommended entry profile will be that the student has completed a university Master’s degree with a research itinerary to acquire knowledge on subjects of applicability in near-shore or underwater environments, the following being specifically included in the doctoral program:

1) Electronic technology, computer science and information and communication technologies applied to the advancement of science and technology applied to the marine and coastal environment.

2) Measurement methods, mathematical methods, simulation and modeling of marine and coastal systems.

3) Oceanography, Fisheries Science and Habitat Modeling

4)Acoustic engineering applied to the marine and coastal environment.

By this profile we refer, in the first place, to those generalist master’s degrees whose curriculum covers various subjects related to science and technology that may be applicable to marine and/or coastal areas. Likewise, within the recommended entry profile, all those students who have completed master’s degree studies with a research itinerary oriented towards subjects related to the lines of research offered in the doctoral program, as specifically indicated below, have a place within the recommended entry profile:

1) Electronic devices, telematic networks and artificial intelligence techniques for monitoring coastal and marine environments – Multimedia networks for monitoring rural coastal and marine environments. – Application of Artificial Intelligence techniques for behavior prediction and resource forecasting in rural coastal and marine environments. – Wireless networks for rural coastal and underwater environment monitoring. – Electronic devices for environment monitoring.

2) Marine ecosystem observation and modeling methodologies. – Estimation and monitoring of marine biomass by active acoustic and optical techniques. – Statistical, biometric and growth models of aquaculture species. – Remote sensing and passive acoustics for population estimation and spatial distribution of marine vertebrates, and effects of underwater noise.

3)Oceanography, fisheries management and river habitat modeling – Socio-anthropology of fisheries. – Fisheries management. – Environmental assessment and monitoring of marine and coastal ecosystems. – Modeling of fluvial habitats, ecohydraulics and ecohydrology for the estimation of ecological flows and adaptation to climate change.

4)New materials for acoustic field control, and acoustic simulation, with application to the marine and coastal environment. – Physical oceanography. – Eco-innovative multifunctional technical materials for coastal and maritime environments. – Metamaterials for acoustic field control in marine and coastal areas. – Numerical simulation methods in acoustics applied to the environment.

The recommended entry profile is one in which the student has completed more than 80% of the credits related to one or more areas of the doctoral program (including the Master’s Final Project).

Without being exhaustive, given the enormous variety of master’s degree programs available on the market that meet the above description, the recommended entry profiles are considered to be graduates in master’s degrees whose competencies are similar to those of the following UPV degrees:

• Master’s Degree in Environmental Assessment and Monitoring of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
• Master’s Degree in Acoustic Engineering
• Master’s Degree in Electronic Systems Engineering
• Master’s Degree in Communications Technologies, Systems and Networks.
• Master’s Degree in Hydraulic Engineering and the Environment

Therefore, students who have completed any of these masters will have direct access to the doctoral program without having to take additional credits.

We must emphasize the recommended character of the profile of the students of the Master in Acoustic Engineering. Just as the development of theories and technology for the use of electromagnetic (EM) waves was a technological revolution in the 20th century, allowing communication and remote sensing in the atmosphere and space, it is acoustic waves that play this role in the marine environment. EM waves (like light) transmit only a few tens of meters at best, and marine species have evolved acoustic perception and emission in their ecosystem relationships. There is growing concern about the effect on the health of the marine environment of increasing underwater noise pollution, introduced mainly by shipping and other human activities. This has been reflected in the European Marine Strategy Directive, which has designated energy discharged into the marine environment as one of the Descriptors of Good Environmental Status, with particular emphasis on acoustic energy, or underwater noise. In addition, man has mimicked the techniques employed by marine mammals and other species by developing acoustic detection, positioning and measurement techniques. Echo sounders and sonars allow the navigation or detection of fishing banks or submarines. All underwater navigation and positioning systems for autonomous vehicles are acoustic systems. So are the communication systems (acoustic or telecommand modems) for scientific or industrial devices on platforms, gas pipelines or underwater cabling. Likewise, most oceanographic scientific instruments use acoustic techniques, such as Doppler current profilers, or underwater acoustic tomography to study the influence of climate change on the salinity and temperature of large bodies of water. For this reason, underwater acoustics is always present in marine science curricula. Thus, in the Master of Acoustic Engineering at the UPV, the subject of Underwater Acoustics is taught, complemented by Ultrasound and Electroacoustic Systems, which emphasizes the frequency range of the acoustic signals most commonly used by underwater technology, and the use and design of piezoelectric transducers in this field.

Related entry profile

There are other master’s degrees whose contents may be applicable to the marine and coastal environment. Therefore, as long as the line of research chosen by the doctoral student encompasses knowledge from the master’s degree previously taken and is clearly framed within the lines of research of the doctoral program, it can be considered related. Two related entry profiles are considered: related entry profile level 1, and related entry profile level 2.

– Related entry profile level 1: Students included in this profile will have to take 9 ECTS credits in complementary training, in order to acquire the basic methodological and instrumental competences to develop their research in marine and coastal environments. These training complements are detailed in the section “Training Complements”. Some examples of the masters taught within the UPV that give rise to students with this profile are: Master in Aquaculture, University Master in Animal Production, and University Master in Environmental Engineering. These masters are the same examples as those used to obtain the value M=0.75 in the valuation index (IV), which is used in section 3 (next section).

– Related entry profile level 2: Given the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of research, and especially taking into account that some of the lines of the program can be addressed by specialists from various fields of specialization, it is not to be ruled out that doctoral candidates who, while meeting the legal requirements for access, have a background that does not correspond to profiles related to the marine and coastal environment, may be interested in the program and may have a place in it. In these cases they may be admitted as long as they undertake 15 ECTS credits in complementary training, in order to acquire the basic methodological and instrumental competences to develop their research in marine and coastal environments. Some examples of the masters taught within the UPV that give rise to students with this profile are: University Master’s Degree in Sensors for Industrial Applications, University Master’s Degree in Mathematical Research, and University Master’s Degree in Data Analysis Engineering, Process Improvement and Decision Making. These masters are the same examples as those used to obtain the value M=0.50 in the valuation index (IV), which is used in section 3 (next section).

Profile of graduates

D. in Marine and Coastal Science and Technology

The doctoral program is organized, designed, coordinated and supervised by the Academic Committee of the Doctoral Program (CAPD) responsible for its definition, updating and quality, as well as for the training and research activities of the doctoral students. The CAPD will be made up of professors/researchers linked to the doctoral program, as established by the Internal Regulations of the Doctoral School (RRIED) approved by the Governing Council on May 28, 2015 and the Regulations for Doctoral Studies of the UPV approved by the Governing Council on April 25, 2013. All members must meet the requirements established in the Royal Decree 99/2011 that regulates doctoral studies (they must have at least one six-year period of recognized research and at least one thesis directed in the last 5 years). The number of members of the Academic Committee (between 5 and 10 in addition to the coordinator) will be defined according to the number of doctoral students in the program. The process of election of the academic committee will be coordinated by the Doctoral School, after hearing the proposals made by the research structures participating in the program. The academic committee will be ratified and appointed by the Doctoral School. The renewal of the CAPDs will take place every four years, as established by the RRIED.

The CAPD will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the criteria for admission to the program and will be responsible for its evaluation, taking into account the following aspects:

Academic qualification: Spanish or foreign university graduates with a background in science or technology related to the marine or coastal environment are preferably eligible for the program.

2. Postgraduate training: at least 60 credits of postgraduate training must be accredited.

(Master’s Degree) preferably in the field of science or technology applicable to the areas or lines of research in marine or coastal environments, provided that their training corresponds to a minimum of 300 ECTS.

3. Academic transcript: both undergraduate and graduate transcripts must be provided to be evaluated by the CAPD.

The CAPD of the program will be responsible for evaluating the admission of students by applying an evaluation index (IV) on a scale of 0 to 100 points. Those who pass an IV ≥ 60 points will be admitted to the doctoral program. The IV will be calculated according to the following weighting on the above aspects:

Academic qualification: 50%.

2. Postgraduate education or equivalent: 30%.

3. Academic record: 20%.

The IV will be calculated as indicated in the following assumptions:

Assumption a):

The following equation will be applied for the calculation of the IV, being a requirement to have previously completed at least 60 credits at the Master’s degree level:

IV=20*E + 30*T + 50*M

Where E is the weighting factor of the academic record of the total studies (undergraduate and graduate), considering the overall average grade on a standardized scale from 0 to 1, T is the weighting factor of the undergraduate degree and M is the weighting factor of the graduate training. The values that the T and M factors can take are shown below:

Undergraduate training:

• A T=1 value will be given to that degree that has a direct relationship with one of the lines included in the doctoral program, that is, at least 80% of the obligatory credits of the degree are related to the doctoral program (including the subject of the Final Degree Project). Some examples are: Degree in Environmental Sciences, Degree in Biotechnology, Degree in Marine Sciences, Degree in Biology, Degree in Agrifood and Rural Engineering, Degree in Forestry and Natural Environment Engineering, Degree in Telecommunication Systems Engineering, Sound and Image, Degree in Industrial Technologies Engineering, Degree in Interactive Technologies, Degree in Chemical Engineering, and Degree in Physics.
• The value of T for the rest of the Degrees will depend on the relation of the subjects taken in the degree with the line of research of the doctoral program for which the student is applying (previous assessment by the CAPD). In this case T may vary between 0 and 0.9.

Postgraduate training:

• A value of M=1 will be given to a Master’s degree that has a direct relationship with one of the lines included in the doctoral program (between 100% and 80% of the credits taken in the Master’s degree, including the topic of the Master’s thesis, must be related to the line of research). Some examples are: Master in Environmental Assessment and Monitoring of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems, Master in Acoustic Engineering, University Master in Electronic Systems Engineering, University Master in Communication Technologies, Systems and Networks, and University Master in Hydraulic Engineering and Environment.
• A value M=0.75 will be given to the master whose content presents between 65% and less than 80% of affinity with the content of the Master) of affinity with the lines of research addressed by the doctoral program (previous assessment by the CAPD). Some examples are: Master in Aquaculture, University Master in Animal Production, and University Master in Environmental Engineering.
• A value of M=0.5 will be given to the master’s degree whose content presents between 50% and less than 65% of affinity with the lines of research addressed by the doctoral program (previous assessment by the CAPD). Some examples are: Master’s Degree in Sensors for Industrial Applications, Master’s Degree in Mathematical Research, and Master’s Degree in Data Analysis Engineering, Process Improvement and Decision Making.

Only those who meet an M = 1 evaluation would be exempt from taking complementary training, being able to access directly to the Doctoral Program. Otherwise, depending on the postgraduate training provided, the CAPD will determine the training complements.

M being the weighting factor of the Master’s degree provided for admission, with the lines of research addressed by the doctoral program (previous assessment by the CAPD).

The contents of the training complements to be carried out will depend on the entry profiles. These will be recommended by the CAPD taking into account the formative weaknesses of the student. The training complements will be acquired using the postgraduate academic offer of the university, in particular the Master’s Degree in Environmental Assessment and Monitoring of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems, or the Master’s Degree in Acoustic Engineering.

– Assumption b):

In the case of not having previously taken credits at the Master’s level and being in possession of an official Spanish Bachelor’s degree of at least 300 ECTS credits, the following equation will be applied:

IV = 20*E + 80*T

Where E is the weighting factor of the academic record of the undergraduate studies considering the overall average grade on a standardized scale from 0 to 1 and T is the weighting factor of the undergraduate degree, the value of which is given according to the list for the previous case and is specified again below:

• A T=1 value will be given to that degree that has a direct relationship with one of the lines included in the doctoral program, that is, at least 80% of the obligatory credits of the degree are related to the doctoral program (including the subject of the Final Degree Project).
• The value of T for the rest of the Degrees will depend on the relation of the subjects taken in the degree with the line of research of the doctoral program for which the student is applying (previous assessment by the CAPD). In this case T may vary between 0 and 0.9.

Those who are assessed under this assumption must take mandatory additional training. As in the previous case, these training complements will be acquired through the training offer of the Master’s Degree in Environmental Assessment and Monitoring of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems, or the Master’s Degree in Acoustic Engineering. Depending on the previous training, a maximum of 15 ECTS must be taken between the subjects of the indicated master’s degree. All the subjects of these Masters are related to the topics of the research lines of the doctoral program and are therefore coherent with the scientific scope of the program.

National or foreign graduates who have obtained a master’s degree in the fields of marine or coastal science and/or technology, with a minimum intensity equivalent to 60 ECTS, will apply the same access criteria described above and must complete additional training to acquire these competencies according to the M value estimated by the CAPD.

In the event that the student comes from other Official Postgraduate Programs or from other studies with a level of training equivalent to that of the official Spanish Master’s Degree, the CAPD will evaluate the affinity of the competencies acquired with the competencies foreseen in the aforementioned Master’s Degrees. In these cases, the CAPD will make a report where it will be reflected, when necessary, the need for the student to take some subjects of the specified Masters, according to the criteria subsequently established. Likewise, the set of research lines of the Program in which the doctoral student will be able to participate will be listed.

The number of ECTS, contents, evaluation systems and learning outcomes of each of the subjects of the masters associated with the doctoral program are included in their respective teaching guides, which are available on the program’s website.

The languages used in the Doctoral Program are mainly three: Spanish, Valencian and English.

The recommended levels, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, are C-1 for Spanish, C-1 for Valencian, and B-2 for English.

Students with specific educational needs

The Foundation CEDAT (Fundación Centro de Estudios para el Desarrollo de Ayudas Técnicas y Sistemas para la Integración Socio Laboral de Personas Discapacitadas) of the Valencian Community has been working on disability issues with the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia since 1994. The Foundation aims to ¿standardize¿ and respond to the needs raised for integration in the university framework and in general in the daily life of people with disabilities, facilitating as far as possible access to the different resources available. At the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia there is the Service of Attention to Students with Disabilities, which has the following functions:

– College-level counseling for students with disabilities

– Development of personalized care plans

– It carries out training and awareness-raising activities aimed at the university community.

– Develops employment experiences with people with disabilities that facilitate their subsequent labor market insertion.

– Students are provided with information about the regulations in force at the UPV for students with disabilities: fee exemption, place reservation, permanence, scholarships, training courses, internships, as well as the evaluation of their specific educational needs derived from their disability condition in order to proceed with the pertinent curricular adaptations in their academic stage.

– A series of resources are available (tape recorders, voice recognition programs, FM stations) that can be used throughout the academic year, with specific calls for their request.

– Training students on basic notions of disability in order to be able to carry out volunteer actions, where student volunteers support students with disabilities in various actions, which contribute to raise awareness among the rest of the university community about the needs of people with disabilities.

– In reference to the Teaching and Research Staff, it provides advice and information on the special educational needs of students with functional diversity and their unique circumstances in day-to-day university life, as well as the necessary measures and adaptations that allow them to access and develop their studies on an equal footing with the rest of their peers.

The CAPD will arbitrate the appropriate measures to establish, in the case of students with specific educational needs derived from disability, the appropriate support and counseling services, which will even contemplate the possibility of specific curricular adaptations. To this end, it will work closely with the Service of Attention to Students with Disabilities of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia .

As described in the section on admission criteria, the CAPD, after studying the curriculum of the doctoral student and his or her training, will define the list of training complements to be taken. These training complements will be acquired through the postgraduate academic offer of the University, in particular the Master’s Degree in Environmental Assessment and Monitoring of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems, or the Master’s Degree in Acoustic Engineering, considering the specific training required by the doctoral student for the proper development of his or her research work.

Students who enter the program having completed a Master’s degree of at least 60 ECTS credits, and who meet the recommended admission profile, will be exempt from taking complementary courses, and will be able to enter directly into the doctoral program.

Students who enter the program having completed a Master’s degree of at least 60 ECTS credits, and are in the case of a related entry profile, will have a training stage in which they must complete 9 ECTS credits in training complements, in the case of a level 1 related entry profile, or 15 ECTS credits in training complements, in the case of a level 2 related entry profile. The training complements will be chosen by the student according to the available offer of Training Complements available at the end of this section.

Students who enter without having taken a Master’s degree but with a Bachelor’s degree of at least 300 ECTS credits, depending on previous training, according to assumption b) described in the admission criteria of the doctoral program, in section 3.2 of the Verification Report, must take up to a maximum of 15 ECTS training complements from the available offer of Training Complements available at the end of this section.

Complementary training will be provided by subjects of the Master’s Degree in Environmental Assessment and Monitoring of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems, or the Master’s Degree in Acoustic Engineering, which are taught by PhDs linked to the Doctoral Program in Science and Technological Applications for the Marine and Coastal Environment.

Basics

CB11 – Systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of research skills and methods related to that field.

CB12 – Ability to conceive, design or create, implement and adopt a substantial research or creative process.

CB13 – Ability to contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge through original research.

CB14 – Ability to critically analyze, evaluate and synthesize new and complex ideas.

CB15 – Ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community, and with society in general, about their fields of knowledge in the modes and languages commonly used in their international scientific community.

CB16 – Ability to promote, in academic and professional contexts, scientific, technological, social, artistic or cultural progress within a knowledge-based society.

Personal skills and abilities

CA01 – Performing in contexts in which there is little specific information.

CA02 – Find the key questions to be answered to solve a complex problem.

CA03 – Design, create, develop and undertake novel and innovative projects in their field of knowledge.

CA04 – Work, both in a team and autonomously, in an international or multidisciplinary context.

CA05 – Integrate knowledge, deal with complexity and make judgments with limited information.

CA06 – Intellectual critique and defense of solutions.

Other competencies

Other competencies are not included