Course Description
This course offers an introduction to the key components of marine management and covers a broad suite of tools that can be used to advance research and decision-making for ocean managers. The course focuses on the interdisciplinary and integrated nature of ocean management, and outlines the social, economic and environmental factors that factor into marine problems, and provide you with improved knowledge to address those problems.
Please feel free to contact marine.affairs@dal.ca for your questions.
Course Outline
| Section | Topic | Activities | Topics |
| 1 | Scientific Indicators and Monitoring |
Assignment 1: Choosing a Marine Area for your Case Study Assignment 2: Designing a Monitoring Plan |
Introduction to scientific indicators Monitoring scientific indicators Identifying good scientific indicators Biodiversity indicators for marine conservation |
| 2 | Human Dimensions of Marine Management | Assignment 3: Stakeholder Report | Introduction to human dimensions Stakeholders and rightsholders Defining engagement Navigating the human dimensions |
| 3 | Risk Assessment for Marine Management | Assignment 4: Risk Analysis | Defining risk assessment Compatibility assessment Mitigation hierarchies |
| 4 | Frameworks for Marine Management | Assignment 5: Developing a Marine Plan | Conceptual models Sector-based planning Ecosystem-based management Marine spatial planning Integrated management |
Course Assessments
Detailed descriptions and rubrics for each assignment are provided on the OpenDal/Brightspace course site.
Students must receive a 70% or higher to pass this course, and all assignments must be submitted by the course end date.
| Assessment | Assignment | Weighting |
| Assignment 1 | Choosing your marine area | 10% |
| Assignment 2 | Designing a Monitoring Plan | 20% |
| Assignment 3 | Stakeholder Report | 20% |
| Assignment 4 | Risk Analysis | 20% |
| Assignment 5 | Developing a Marine Plan | 30% |
What You Will Learn
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
• assess complex social, economic and environmental dimensions of marine management;
• evaluate marine management frameworks and apply the relevant tools to complex issues; and
• synthesize multiple types of information towards marine management decisions.
Microcredential
This course provides learners with the opportunity to earn a microcredential. A microcredential is evidence of a skill or competency that is employment related. Dalhousie microcredentials are developed in collaboration with employers, industries, and/or organizations that relate to the content. A microcredential can be displayed on social media pages, digital resumes, personal webpages, and in email signatures. To earn the microcredential in this course, learners will need to successfully complete a competency-based assessment.
Learn more about this microcredential here.
Recommended For
This certificate will be aimed at mid-career professionals, looking to upgrade and enhance their current knowledge or emerging professionals who are eager to learn new skills.Testimonials
“I’m currently working at Fisheries and Oceans Canada in a new role as the National Manager for the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM) Management Program. My entire team has previously graduated from the Dalhousie marine management program, but my own background is primarily in marine biology. Because of that, I’m finding this certificate extremely valuable and directly relevant to my work as I deepen my understanding of marine management frameworks, governance considerations, and applied monitoring approaches. I recently submitted my assignment for Module 1, and I’ve just completed the second assignment while simultaneously reviewing a real monitoring plan from one of our East Coast regions. The timing made the assignment especially relevant and practical, and I’m already applying concepts from the course in my day‑to‑day work. Thank you for developing such a thoughtful and engaging learning experience. I’m looking forward to completing the rest of the modules.”
-- Matthew Boeckner, PhD
Manager, Marine Conservation Operations Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada/Government of Canada