Primary goal of the educational component of the CEMarin is to provide Ph.D. level coursework and training to graduate students from Colombia, Germany and other countries. The CEMarin not only offers compulsory courses for the newly established Colombian Doctorado in Marine Sciences (Doctoroda Interinstitucional Ciencias del Mar, DICM) but also for other Ph.D. programs. In addition, courses are open to a limited number of Master students from Colombia and abroad as well as to interested scientists and administrators.

Courses are held by excellent lecturers from Germany, Colombia, the U.S.A. and other countries, all internationally recognized experts in their respective fields.

The high quality courses are based on the principle of “problem-based-learning” and offer both basic and applied components, combining lectures with seminars, lab work and field trips. Besides compulsory courses, the CEMarin offers a “natural sciences” and a “social sciences/engineering” track with specific elective courses to be chosen from.

Coursework in Tayrona National Park, Santa Marta

Lecturers, which are evaluated on a regular basis, closely interact with the students and both mentor and alumni systems aim at improving teamwork and life-long learning.

Structure of the Ph.D. program

• Open to students from Colombia and Germany, but also from other countries
• Per year, 12-14 Ph.D. students may enroll
• Prerequisites: Master (or equivalent) typically in biology, geology, chemistry, or engineering
• Coordination: German Langzeitdozent in Santa Marta
• “1+5” curriculum: one semester of course work plus five semesters of thesis
• Additional courses in year 2 plus compulsory stay abroad
• Problem-based learning in small groups, alumni and mentor systems
• Course language: English
• Courses may be open to students from other universities
• Supervision “1+1”: one supervisor from Colombia plus one supervisor from  Germany/U.S.A. (or vice versa)
• Additional courses in year 2 (e.g. field work), compulsory stay abroad

Class room at CEMarin

CP

Natural Sciences Track

Socioeconomics/Engineering Track

3

C-MF: Marine Fieldwork

3

E-MC: Marine Chemistry

E-MB: Marine Biology, Ecosystems and Environmental Changes

3

E-WP: Problems of Water Pollution

E-FA: Fisheries & Mariculture

3

E-ME: Molecular Evolutionary Biology

E-SO: Sociology

1.5

C-TP: Principles of Scientific Work/ Thesis Preparation (Part 2)

6

C-PO: Physical Oceanography

3

E-MT: Marine Technology and Engineering, and Human Impact

E-EM: Ecosystem Modeling

3

E-MG: Marine Geology

E-CM: Coastal Zone Management

3

C-TP: Principles of Scientific Work/Thesis Preparation (Part 3)