Autosub Long Range (ALR)
Autosub Long Range (ALR) 'Boaty McBoatface' (Image credit: National Oceanography Centre)

Level up your ocean research with a new marine autonomy course 'APART' 

Ocean science is being transformed by marine autonomous systems, such as drifting Argo floats, ocean gliders, and NOC-built Autosub Long Range (ALR) AUVs like Boaty McBoatface.

This new course launching at the National Oceanography Centre in 2026 will equip the next generation of marine researchers with the tools to plan and execute data collection missions with autonomous technology.

Candidates will learn to:

  • Design research and deployments using marine autonomous technology
  • Assess technology relevance and plan missions
  • Process data sets from ALR AUVs and gliders to a standard for publication
  • Evaluate criteria for selecting sensors based on scientific needs
  • Understand the data management lifecycle, ensuring quality and interoperability

The course will run twice in 2026, structured as three two-day modules spread over two weeks geared towards ECRs and PhD students.

Cohort 1 (PhD Students)
March 16, 2026

Cohort 2 (ECRs)
April 13, 2026

Closing date for applications 30 November 2025

Find out more: https://noc.ac.uk/education/training-course-apart