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NIOZ works closely together with Dutch universities to strengthen marine science in the Netherlands. The Marine Masters Summer Course contributes to this by giving students the opportunity to familiarise themselves with marine research, including the opportunity to experience working on research vessels. This introductory, multidisciplinary course is hosted at NIOZ Texel, with the western Wadden Sea as hands-on research area. The next course will take place 5-17 July 2026. 

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NIOZ works closely together with Dutch universities to strengthen marine science in the Netherlands. The Marine Masters Summer Course contributes to this by giving students the opportunity to familiarise themselves with marine research, including the opportunity to experience working on research vessels. This introductory, multidisciplinary course is hosted at NIOZ Texel, with the western Wadden Sea as hands-on research area. The next course will take place 5-17 July 2026.

Learning objectives of the course

• To identify current topics in the marine sciences, ranging from marine biology, physical oceanography and marine chemistry to marine geology.
• to identify and describe methods of sampling and observation commonly used in oceanography, including techniques and instruments used on research vessels.
• to conduct a group-based research project using basic sampling techniques to collect data in the field, perform laboratory analyses, analyse and interpret obtained data and prepare a presentation of the results.
• to present and discuss research results in a multidisciplinary framework.

Course content
The course includes a pre-course reading assignment, classroom lectures, field- and lab work, data analysis and an oral presentation. On the first day, a series of introductory lectures on physical oceanography, marine chemistry, marine geology and marine ecology will be given. In the three days thereafter, various equipment and methods of sampling and data collection in the field and in the NIOZ labs will be demonstrated. Students will also collect data in the western Wadden Sea on the research vessel Wim Wolff and/or on the tidal flats.

In the remaining time of the course, students devote themselves to small research projects, which are supervised by NIOZ researchers. Depending on the project, the work will include laboratory work and/or modelling, and all projects will involve data analysis, interpretation of acquired data and the preparation of a presentation in week two. In the second week, early career researchers will present their research and (internship) opportunities for master students at NIOZ.The students' assessment will be based on demonstrated performance during practical work, data analysis and the oral presentation of the results.

The program for 2026 roughly looks like below (will be updated):