The necessary socio-economic and strategic development of the modern society generates a pressure on the marine habitat which must be answered by the application of strategies to facilitate the integration of human-related activities and the conservation of the marine biodiversity. The constant development of these activities present wide R+D and industrial applications and the scientific expert needs to have a thorough knowledge and a high level of understanding of the available exploration/exploitation methods. The underwater acoustic technology has proven to be most efficient to explore the sea, more than any other approach and represent the key expertise to address future problems in the marine environment and ensure European competitiveness. The objectives of the MAS are to provide a thorough training in the theory and application of underwater acoustic technology; to assimilate and develop state-of-the-art data analysis and modelling methods; to provide the student with the theoretical and practical experience and physical understanding necessary to approach significant problems in the ocean environment as an independent marine practitioner.

The MAS programme and learning outputs present applications in RTD, academic, social, commercial, strategic, environmental interests as well as perspectives in employment and local, national and European Policies. Because of the increasing development of human marine activities, acoustic and remote sensing technologies are the future key to address growing environment problems, work out realistic solutions and provide the means to determine the needed mix of expertise for defining, implementing and evaluating those measures in a comparative way, i.e., assessing their convenience, efficiency, value and transferability. The MAS learning outputs can be exploited directly by public agencies or European member states, as well as by private companies willing to work towards effective and sustainable oceanographic exploration. At the European level, the MAS successful students will facilitate better methods of addressing future investments in marine technology.
       
The MAS will contribute to the development and/or implementation of local, national and European policies. The MAS will play a key role in educating experts able to help developing and implementing policies in the areas of environment and sustainable development via permanent control of acoustic input in the marine environment, less pollution, favourable conservation status of marine organisms and ecosystems; maritime transport via new concepts involving new technology; employment via new tools implying the creation of new, more skilled jobs and increasing the number of environmentally oriented jobs. In economic terms, the MAS students will play a pivotal role in the development of novel means to increase the security and efficiency of modern marine technology.