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Master'sNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical Applications open

Master’s in High-Performance Composites Engineering for Marine Applications

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in high-performance marine composites engineering. 12 modules covering marine composite materials, laminate micromechanics and macromechanics, sandwich structures, scantlings, finite element analysis, manufacturing processes, joints, quality control, repair and sustainability, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Select composite materials for marine applications.

02

Calculate laminates using classical laminate theory.

03

Design sandwich structures.

04

Apply scantling standards.

05

Carry out finite element analysis of composites.

06

Control manufacturing processes and quality.

07

Assess the sustainability of composites.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Marine composites engineers.
  • Naval structural engineers.
  • Manufacturing process technicians.
  • Shipyard quality managers.
  • Materials R&D engineers.
  • Composite repair technicians.
  • Engineering and science graduates seeking to join leisure boatyards.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 12215-5 (small craft hull construction: design pressures, design stresses and scantlings)
  • ISO 12215-6 (small craft hull construction: structural arrangements and details)
  • ISO 527-4 (tensile properties of fibre-reinforced plastic composites)
  • ASTM D3039 (tensile properties of polymer matrix composites)
  • ASTM C393 (flexural properties of sandwich constructions)
  • ISO 14125 (flexural properties of fibre-reinforced plastic composites)
  • DNV-RU-HSLC (DNV rules for high-speed and light craft)
  • ANSYS Composite PrepPost
  • eLamX
  • Abaqus
  • PAM-RTM
  • Rhinoceros 3D
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Matrices and reinforcements
  2. 1.2Glass, carbon and aramid fibres
  3. 1.3Polyester, vinylester and epoxy resins
  4. 1.4Foam, honeycomb and balsa cores
  5. 1.5Prepregs and dry fabrics
  6. 1.6Mechanical properties and anisotropy
  7. 1.7Behaviour in the marine environment
  8. 1.8Marine material selection criteria
  9. 1.9Bio-based materials and natural fibres
  10. 1.10Case study: material selection for a racing hull
  1. 2.1Rule of mixtures
  2. 2.2Behaviour of the orthotropic ply
  3. 2.3Classical laminate theory
  4. 2.4ABD stiffness matrices
  5. 2.5Tsai-Wu and Hashin failure criteria
  6. 2.6Progressive failure analysis
  7. 2.7Hygrothermal effects on the laminate
  8. 2.8Symmetric and balanced laminates
  9. 2.9Laminate optimisation
  10. 2.10Workshop: laminate stiffness calculation with eLamX
  1. 3.1Sandwich panel theory
  2. 3.2Failure modes in sandwich structures
  3. 3.3Core selection
  4. 3.4Impact and damage in sandwich structures
  5. 3.5Skin delamination
  6. 3.6Joints and reinforcements
  7. 3.7Introduction of concentrated loads
  8. 3.8Flexural testing of sandwich panels
  9. 3.9Sandwich construction in decks and bulkheads
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: sizing a bottom panel
  1. 4.1ISO 12215 standards
  2. 4.2Design pressures
  3. 4.3Scantlings of panels and stiffeners
  4. 4.4Classification society rules
  5. 4.5DNV rules for high-speed craft
  6. 4.6Scantlings of racing yachts
  7. 4.7Keel structures and attachments
  8. 4.8Rigging load analysis
  9. 4.9Scantling documentation
  10. 4.10Laboratory: ISO scantlings of a sailing yacht
  1. 5.1Modelling laminates in FEM
  2. 5.2Shell and solid elements
  3. 5.3Global hull analysis
  4. 5.4Local analysis of details
  5. 5.5Panel buckling
  6. 5.6Impact analysis
  7. 5.7Fatigue of composites
  8. 5.8Topology optimisation of stiffeners
  9. 5.9Model validation
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: FEM model of a hull in ANSYS ACP
  1. 6.1Hand lay-up
  2. 6.2Vacuum infusion
  3. 6.3RTM and RTM light
  4. 6.4Prepreg and oven curing
  5. 6.5Autoclave curing of critical parts
  6. 6.6Automated fibre placement
  7. 6.7Moulds and tooling
  8. 6.8Painting and finishing
  9. 6.9Additive manufacturing of moulds
  10. 6.10Case study: infusion process for a deck
  1. 7.1Design of bonded joints
  2. 7.2Methacrylate and epoxy structural adhesives
  3. 7.3Bolted joints in laminates
  4. 7.4Hybrid bonded and bolted joints
  5. 7.5Inserts and hardware
  6. 7.6Hull-to-deck joint types
  7. 7.7Keel joints
  8. 7.8Joint analysis
  9. 7.9Joint testing
  10. 7.10Workshop: hull-to-deck joint design
  1. 8.1Material characterisation tests
  2. 8.2ASTM and ISO testing standards
  3. 8.3Process control
  4. 8.4Degree of cure and DSC
  5. 8.5Void content
  6. 8.6Non-destructive testing: ultrasound
  7. 8.7Active thermography inspection
  8. 8.8Laser shearography inspection
  9. 8.9Final inspection and certificate of conformity
  10. 8.10Laboratory: tensile test according to ISO 527
  1. 9.1Damage mechanisms
  2. 9.2Low-energy impact
  3. 9.3Osmosis in polyester hulls
  4. 9.4Laminate repair
  5. 9.5Sandwich repair
  6. 9.6Carbon repair
  7. 9.7In-service inspection
  8. 9.8Preventive maintenance of structures
  9. 9.9Emergency repairs during races
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: stepped patch repair
  1. 10.1Environmental impact of composites
  2. 10.2Life cycle assessment
  3. 10.3Mechanical recycling by shredding
  4. 10.4Chemical recycling and pyrolysis
  5. 10.5Natural fibres: flax and basalt
  6. 10.6Bio-based and recyclable resins
  7. 10.7Thermoplastics in marine applications
  8. 10.8End-of-life boat management
  9. 10.9Environmental regulations on composite waste
  10. 10.10Case study: LCA of a flax hull versus a glass hull
  1. 11.1Design of high-performance components
  2. 11.2Manufacturing carbon masts
  3. 11.3Manufacturing foils
  4. 11.4Manufacturing process simulation
  5. 11.5Infusion simulation
  6. 11.6Composite digital twins
  7. 11.7Structural health monitoring with fibre optics
  8. 11.8Smart and self-healing materials
  9. 11.9Innovation in composites
  10. 11.10Workshop: infusion simulation with PAM-RTM
  1. 12.1Definition of the component
  2. 12.2Requirements and loads
  3. 12.3Selection of fibres, resins and cores
  4. 12.4Laminate design
  5. 12.5Structural analysis of the component
  6. 12.6Manufacturing process
  7. 12.7Quality and testing plan
  8. 12.8Composite design conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so the programme can be combined with full-time work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ANSYS Composite PrepPost, eLamX, Abaqus, PAM-RTM, Rhinoceros 3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is studied on real procedures for mechanical characterisation of laminates, sandwich panel testing and non-destructive inspection of composites. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ISO 12215-5, ISO 12215-6, ISO 527-4, ASTM D3039, ASTM C393, ISO 14125, DNV-RU-HSLC.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 12215-5, ISO 12215-6 and ISO 527-4 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:ANSYS Composite PrepPost, eLamX, Abaqus, PAM-RTM, Rhinoceros 3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete design of a high-performance composite component, from loads and laminate design to manufacturing and quality planning, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Laminate stiffness calculation
Calculate the stiffness of a laminate with eLamX.
ISO scantlings
Determine the ISO scantlings of a sailing yacht.
Hull FEM model
Build a finite element model of a hull in ANSYS ACP.
Infusion simulation
Simulate the infusion process with PAM-RTM.
Master's Thesis
A complete design of a high-performance composite component, from loads and laminate design to manufacturing and quality planning, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Marine composites engineerNaval structural engineerManufacturing process technicianShipyard quality managerMaterials R&D engineerComposite repair technician
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with ANSYS Composite PrepPost, eLamX, Abaqus, PAM-RTM, Rhinoceros 3D, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme's software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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