Physical Oceanography Courses and Certifications

The oceans

31 ratings at OpenLearn

The oceans cover more than 70 per cent of our planet. In this free course, The oceans, you will learn about the depths of the oceans and the properties of the water that fills them, what drives the...

• OpenLearn
• 15 hours
• Self-Paced
• Free Certificate

El Niño and La Niña - Understanding the ENSO Phenomenon

A concise introduction to El Niño and La Niña, linking Pacific ocean measurements with atmospheric convection and coastal upwelling.

• YouTube
• 50 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Ocean Currents and Productivity - The Atmosphere, the Ocean and Environmental Change

Explains how wind-driven and thermohaline ocean currents transport water and nutrients, linking global circulation to primary productivity through upwelling.

• YouTube
• 47 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Ocean Water Density and Atmospheric Forcing - The Atmosphere, the Ocean and Environmental Change

Explores how temperature, salinity, and atmospheric forcing determine ocean water density and stability.

• YouTube
• 50 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Sven Holbik

Waves and Wave Dynamics

Explore how wind, density differences, and seafloor changes generate, shape, and propagate ocean waves, from swells and breakers to tsunamis.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 9 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Fisheries Professor

Marine Ecosystem

1 rating

An introduction to how wind, Earth’s rotation, and convection drive ocean circulation, including the Ekman spiral and transport.

• YouTube
• 50 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Sven Holbik

Tides (OCE-1001)

Explore the fascinating world of tides, their causes, and effects on Earth's oceans. Learn about lunar influences, tidal patterns, and coastal impacts in this comprehensive overview.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 2 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

CEC;  University of Mysore

Physical Geography - Climatology and Oceanography

Explore how atmospheric processes and ocean circulation interact to shape global climate, from temperature, pressure, air masses, and storms to ocean basins, currents, and reefs.

• Swayam
• 10 weeks
• Available until Oct 31, 2026
• Free Online Course

Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona;  University of Buckingham

Oceanography: a key to better understand our world

287 ratings at Coursera

Learn the foundations of oceanography: temperature, salinity and geostrophic circulation, satellite remote sensing, the carbonate system and ocean chemistry, and the formation of ocean basins.

• Coursera
• 7 weeks, 4 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course

Engineering: environmental fluids

3 ratings at OpenLearn

Explore how atmospheric winds and ocean waves, tides, and currents arise, and why these fluid movements matter in engineering.

• OpenLearn
• 7 hours
• Self-Paced
• Free Certificate

Environment: understanding atmospheric and ocean flows

12 ratings at OpenLearn

What affects the atmospheric and ocean flows? This free course, Environment: understanding atmospheric and ocean flows, explores the mechanisms that are important; the most rapid carrier is the ...

• OpenLearn
• 10 hours
• Self-Paced
• Free Certificate

Ocean - Elements of Ocean Engineering

An engineering survey of ocean waves and the design and analysis of fixed and floating offshore platforms.

• YouTube
• 1 day 22 hours
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

Introduces rotating-frame equations, stratified-flow waves and instabilities, and geophysical turbulence as foundations for ocean and climate modeling.

• Swayam
• Available until Oct 9, 2026
• Free Online Course

The Royal Institution

How the Ocean Shapes Our World - Understanding the Blue Machine

Explore the ocean's complex systems, from currents to underwater waterfalls, and its crucial role in shaping our world. Discover how understanding marine science is vital for addressing environmental threats.

• YouTube
• 56 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Australian Water School

3D Coastal Modelling

Explore how nearshore coastal hydrodynamic models extend from 2D to 3D, including ocean circulation, stratification, boundary conditions, calibration, and result visualization.

• YouTube
• 54 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video