The INFOMAR Masters module -Seafloor Mapping 2025 with University College Dublin
The INFOMAR Seafloor Mapping MSc module returned to University College Dublin in 2025, continuing a strong collaboration between INFOMAR, UCD School of Geography, Geological Survey Ireland, the Marine Institute and Smart Sea School. The module is designed to equip postgraduate students of Masters programmes; GIS and Remote Sensing and Risk, Resilience and Sustainability, with both the theoretical understanding and practical skills required to work in Ireland’s growing marine sector.
Throughout the classroom phase of the module, students were introduced to the scientific principles and technologies that underpin modern seabed mapping. Lectures covered a range of topics including marine data science, ocean geography and evolution, coastal change, marine geophysics, Earth observation, survey planning, seabed imaging technologies, and applied data workflows. Together, these sessions provided students with a solid grounding in how marine data is collected, processed, interpreted, and applied across scientific, environmental, and industrial contexts.
Figure 1: Eoin Mac Craith of Geological Survey Ireland delivering a lecture on survey operations
The classroom schedule included a talk on Marine Spatial Planning, delivered by our guest speaker, Michael Arrigan, with the Marine Institute. The session encouraged students to consider how multiple users of the marine environment can make informed and coordinated decisions about the sustainable use of marine resources. Students gained insight into Ireland’s marine planning system, including data requirements, governance structures, and future challenges. The lecture demonstrated how INFOMAR data supports evidence-based decision-making across sectors such as offshore renewable energy, fisheries, conservation, and coastal infrastructure, while also highlighting research and career opportunities within the marine planning space.
Figure 2: Michael Arrigan (Marine Institute) discussing how INFOMAR data informs on marine spatial planning
The module also placed strong emphasis on career development and the expanding blue economy. As part of the Careers and Blue Economy week, students welcomed two guest speakers working at the interface between marine science, data, and industry.
Aoife Edgely, a Marine Environmental Scientist with Tetra Tech RPS, shared her career journey spanning offshore survey work, GIS, biodiversity, and environmental consultancy which has seen her work in West Africa, Norway and Scotland. She explained how seafloor mapping and ground-truthing data underpin marine infrastructure development and environmental assessment for offshore wind developers, semi-state bodies, and government agencies. Aoife offered practical advice to students, highlighting the importance of sea-going experience, strong GIS skills, and training pathways such as the Marine Institute Foreign Vessel Observer Scheme.
Figure 3: Guest speaker Aoife Edgely (Tetra Tech RPS) sharing her career path and discussing opportunities for students
James Mc Ateer, a Senior Geologist with Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions (GDG), introduced students to the use of seafloor data in offshore renewable energy development. His talk focused on site selection and constraint mapping, demonstrating how technical potential, environmental considerations, and social constraints are balanced during project planning with a data example from a study planning cable routes offshore California. James highlighted the significant benefit of the availability of the pan-European dataset from EMODnet when carrying out a site selection study offshore Croatia where seafloor data is limited. By sharing these case study examples, James demonstrated how high-quality seabed data and spatial analysis are essential for effective and responsible offshore wind development.
Figure 4: James McAteer (GDG) describing his work in offshore renewable energy development
Together, these sessions helped students connect the scientific and technical content of the module with real-world career pathways, reinforcing the relevance of seabed mapping skills within Ireland’s evolving marine economy.
Towards the end of the classroom phase, students transitioned to the offshore training component of the module aboard Ireland’s research vessel, the RV Tom Crean, sailing from Cork. During this intensive sea-going phase, students applied their classroom learning in a live survey environment, supported by staff from INFOMAR and SMART Sea School, alongside the crew of the RV Tom Crean.
Activities included multibeam echosounder acquisition, sub-bottom profiling, CTD deployment, sediment and benthic sampling, drop camera surveys, and real-time data processing using industry-standard software. Students also took part in survey planning exercises and scenario-based decision-making, gaining first-hand experience of teamwork, responsibility, and operational workflows at sea.
Figure 5: UCD Geography students during the offshore training component of the module in Cork aboard the RV Tom Crean
The offshore training provided an invaluable opportunity for students to experience the practicalities of marine survey operations, bridging the gap between theory and practice. After returning to shore, students resumed the classroom component of the module, bringing with them enhanced confidence, practical insight, and a deeper understanding of how seabed mapping supports science, policy, and industry.
The INFOMAR Seafloor Mapping MSc Module demonstrates the value of combining expert-led teaching, industry engagement, and offshore training to prepare the next generation of marine scientists and professionals. We would like to thank all involved in making this another enjoyable year of knowledge sharing with our post-graduate students and we look forward to continuing the initiative in 2026.
INFOMAR is a Government of Ireland seabed mapping programme funded by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and is jointly managed by Geological Survey Ireland and the Marine Institute.
