This course will provide a comprehensive introduction for the management and archive of marine biological data, including the guiding principles of biological data management and typical responsibilities for data managers. Several types of biological data will be tackled, including observational data, image-derived data and omics data and how these data can be formatted, standardized and quality controlled before being submitted to wider regional, national and international initiatives. Watch the video below for a brief overview and introduction.

As a follow-up of the bi-annually opened Ocean Data Management Training course, this course provides a comprehensive introduction for the management and archive of marine biological data, including the guiding principles of biological data management and typical responsibilities for data manager. Several types of biological data will be tackled, including observational data, image-derived data and omics data and how these data can be formatted, standardized and quality controlled before being submitted to wider regional, national and international initiatives.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to describe the core tasks required for the processing and distributing of biological marine data, explain the importance of following standards, both for the data and the metadata and identify possible data flow mechanisms and pathways to ensure their data are shared as widely as possible, thereby stimulating re-use.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this training, learners will be able to:

• Describe the core tasks required for the processing and distributing of biological marine data
• Explain the importance of following standards, both for the data and the metadata 
• Identify possible data flow mechanisms and pathways to ensure their data are shared as widely as possible, thereby stimulating re-use
  

Course contents

Topics will include: Guiding principles in data management, Data formats, metadata, quality control, data policy, data sharing and publishing, and a main focus on data management of various types of biological data. It is organized in the following modules:

• Module 1. Guiding principles in data management
• Module 2. Fundamentals of marine biological data management and the Research Data Life Cycle
• Module 3. Best practices for data capture
• Module 4. Transferring your (meta)data to Darwin Core
• Module 5. Common issues with data format and quality
• Module 6. Preservation & publication of marine biological data
• Module 7. Imagery data
• Module 8. DNA-derived data
• Module 9. Data archaeology & rescuing historical data

Target audience

• Marine data managers
• NODC and/or ADU staff
• Data stewards and researchers
• Early career researchers

Language and computer skills required

• a good working knowledge of English
• basic computer skills
• the ability to find resources through search engines
• 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)

Instructors/Organisers

This course is organised by the OceanTeacher Global Academy with the assistance of the Flanders Marine Institute:

Leen Vandepitte (general coordination) – Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)

Laura Marquez

Lynn Delgat

Charlotte Dhondt

Patricia Cabrera

Carolien Knockaert

Ruben Perez

Salvador Fernandez

Stefanie Dekeyzer 

Wim Decock

Cyril Radermecker

Course duration and format:

The course will be delivered online between April and December 2026. The estimated time to complete the self-paced course is approximately 35 hours.

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 with 70% minimum score. For each quiz you are allowed 2 attempts and the highest grade is recorded
  • Complete pre and post tests

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

Technology requirements

To complete this course, participants should have access to:

• Computer with Windows or Mac operating system
• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari web browsers

How to enrol

Please register on the OceanExpert website (www.oceanexpert.org). Once your OceanExpert account is approved (this is not done immediately), you can self-enrol in the course. If you already have an OceanExpert account, you can self-enrol in the course using your OceanExpert username and password. Enrolment is available until 15 December 2026 and the course closes 31 December 2026 

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

The enrolment key is BDM**2026

For any questions please contact the OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.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.