The Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) is the most comprehensive gateway to the world’s ocean biodiversity and biogeographic data and information. OBIS provides open access to this quality-controlled data that adhere to biodiversity standards (Darwin Core, EML). This course will teach you step by step the basics for how to format and publish datasets according to these standards so that you may contribute to OBIS, and adopt best practices in the management of marine life data.

The aim of this course is to teach the step-by-step basics for how to format and publish datasets according to these standards to contribute to OBIS, and adopt best practices in the management of marine life data. This training course is self-guided and designed to teach learners how to structure datasets to contribute to OBIS. The course will guide users step-by-step through the OBIS data life cycle, including: identifying an appropriate data structure, applying Darwin Core Archive formatting, conducting quality control steps, publishing data, and accessing data from OBIS. 

Learning goals for target audience 1

• Understand Darwin Core (DwC) standards 
• Format datasets following DwC standards
• Publish datasets to OBIS using an IPT
• Access data that has been published to OBIS

Learning goals for target audience 2

• Describe the OBIS data life cycle
• Restructure a flat dataset into a Darwin Core-Archive format, following OBIS best practices
• Identify appropriate Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG) vocabulary for your dataset
• Interpret and resolve quality control flags
• Publish data and metadata on an IPT
• Obtain OBIS data from the Mapper tool, R, API

Target audience 1

Anyone with marine biodiversity data interested in publishing data to OBIS, OBIS nodes, or those who need to review specific steps in the data publication process.

Target audience 2 

OBIS nodes

Learner assessment

This is a self-taught course that includes quizzes designed to help learners assess their own learning at regular intervals. In order to successfully complete the course and award a Certificate at the end, the following is mandatory:

• complete all lessons in each Module of the course;
• complete all quizzes (80% minimum score for each quiz, unlimited attempts for each quiz, 30-minute time limit for each attempt);
• submit the assignments and receive a minimum grade of 80% or 'satisfactory' according to the exercise type.

Note: filling in the course feedback survey is mandatory to obtain the course certificate.

Pre-requisites target audience 1:

• a working knowledge of English
• background knowledge in biological and marine sciences
• basic computer skills (either Windows or Mac systems)
• the ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g. following a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills)

Pre-requisites target audience 2: 

• be a staff or collaborator in an OBIS Node
• a working knowledge of English
• background knowledge in biological and marine sciences
• basic computer skills (either Windows or Mac systems)
• the ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g. following a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills)

Technology requirements

To complete this course, participants should have access to:

• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari web browsers
• Access to internet

Course duration and format target audience 1

The course will be delivered online between 2nd October 2023 and 16 February 2023. The estimated time to complete the self-paced course is approximately 32 hours.

Course duration and format target audience 2 

The course is an ongoing capacity development activity of OBIS. It is available on a continuous basis for OBIS nodes and the related community under invitation, since 17 February 2024. Note the end-date as 31 December 2025 is only for reporting, to be reopened every year.

The estimated time to complete the self-paced course is approximately 32 hours.

How to enrol target audience 1 

Please register on the OceanExpert website (www.oceanexpert.org). Once your OceanExpert account is approved (this is not done immediately), you can self-enroll in the course. If you already have an OceanExpert account, you can self-enroll in the course using your OceanExpert username and password. Enrolment is available until 3 February 2024 (EXTENDED).

First log-in OceanTeacher, then access the course page and click on self-enrollment.

The enrolment key is OBIS*MASTERCLASS

How to enrol target audience 2 

If you are a member of an OBIS node, please contact OBIS secretariat (helpdesk@obis.org) for instructions on how to enroll.

For any questions please contact the OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org) or the OBIS secretariat (helpdesk@obis.org) always using the name of the course as email subject.

There are no tuition fees. 

UNESCO is committed to promote equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Feedback survey

At the end of the course, you will be asked to fill out a feedback survey. This information will be used to improve future courses.

Cancellation policy:

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.