The Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) is the most comprehensive gateway to the world’s ocean biodiversity and biogeographic data and information. OBIS provides open access to this quality-controlled data that adhere to biodiversity standards (Darwin Core, EML). This course will teach you step by step the basics for how to format and publish datasets according to these standards so that you may contribute to OBIS, and adopt best practices in the management of marine life data.

Learning goals

• Understand Darwin Core (DwC) standards 
• Format datasets following DwC standards
• Publish datasets to OBIS using an IPT
• Access data that has been published to OBIS

Target audience

Anyone with marine biodiversity data interested in publishing data to OBIS, OBIS nodes, or those who need to review specific steps in the data publication process.

Learner assessment

This is a self-taught course that includes quizzes designed to help learners assess their own learning at regular intervals. In order to successfully complete the course and award a Certificate at the end, the following is mandatory:

• complete all lessons in each Module of the course;
• complete all quizzes (80% minimum score for each quiz, unlimited attempts for each quiz, 30-minute time limit for each attempt);
• submit the assignments and receive a minimum grade of 80% or 'satisfactory' according to the exercise type.

Note: filling in the course feedback survey is mandatory to obtain the course certificate.

Pre-requisites:

• a working knowledge of English
• background knowledge in biological and marine sciences
• basic computer skills (either Windows or Mac systems)
• the ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g. following a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills)

Technology requirements

To complete this course, participants should have access to:

• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari web browsers
• Access to internet

Course duration and format

The course will be delivered online between 2nd October 2023 and 16 February 2023. The estimated time to complete the self-paced course is approximately 32 hours.

How to enrol

Please register on the OceanExpert website (www.oceanexpert.org). Once your OceanExpert account is approved (this is not done immediately), you can self-enroll in the course. If you already have an OceanExpert account, you can self-enroll in the course using your OceanExpert username and password. Enrolment is available until 1 February 2024.

First log-in OceanTeacher, then access the course page and click on self-enrollment.

The enrolment key is OBIS*MASTERCLASS

For any questions please contact the OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org) or the OBIS secretariat (helpdesk@obis.org) always using the name of the course as email subject.

There are no tuition fees. 

UNESCO is committed to promote equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Feedback survey

At the end of the course, you will be asked to fill out a feedback survey. This information will be used to improve future courses.