Course in Multiphysics Simulation Applied to Drones
Online course of 300 hours in multiphysics simulation applied to drones, with 6 modules covering coupled phenomena, rotor and fuselage aerodynamics, structures and vibration, thermal and electronics, and electromagnetics and communications, with an assigned technical tutor.
Course in Multiphysics Simulation Applied to Drones — studying from Australia
Australia's aerospace sector spans defence and commercial aviation, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and a growing space industry. Key clusters sit around Adelaide's Edinburgh Parks and the Melbourne and Sydney defence precincts, with major employers including Airbus Australia Pacific, BAE Systems Australia, Boeing Defence Australia and Lockheed Martin Australia. Recreational and commercial drone operations are increasingly regulated, and advanced air mobility is emerging as a research and policy priority. Engineers working in this area typically support airworthiness, systems integration, structures and avionics across both crewed and uncrewed platforms.
Fees for Australia: A$712 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does a SEIUM qualification help me get recognised by a professional body in Australia?
SEIUM qualifications are private qualifications, not official state degrees, and they are not accredited by any Australian body. Engineers Australia accredits university engineering degrees, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulates drone and aviation operations. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check with them before enrolling.
Will this course help me find work in Australian aerospace, drones or space?
Australia has aerospace and defence employers, drone operators and space-sector companies, and skills in these areas are valued. Whether a SEIUM qualification counts for a given role depends on the employer, who will usually weigh your experience and portfolio alongside any private credential. Ask prospective employers how they view it.
Can I study this part-time while working, and does the time zone suit Australia?
The programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from anywhere in Australia, with no student visa needed for home study. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so plan your weekly load realistically. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify the coupled physical phenomena in a drone.
Simulate the aerodynamics of rotors and fuselage.
Analyse the structural and vibration response of the aircraft.
Model the thermal behaviour of batteries and electronics.
Assess electromagnetic compatibility and antennas.
Couple several physical domains in a single simulation.
Validate models against experimental tests.
Who it's for
- Multiphysics simulation engineers who want to specialise in multiphysics simulation applied to drones.
- Drone design engineers who want to specialise in multiphysics simulation applied to drones.
- Lightweight structures engineers who want to specialise in multiphysics simulation applied to drones.
- Electronics thermal management engineers who want to specialise in multiphysics simulation applied to drones.
- Antenna and communications engineers who want to specialise in multiphysics simulation applied to drones.
- CAE engineers who want to specialise in multiphysics simulation applied to drones.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into drone manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (UAS systems)
- ASME V&V 10 (verification and validation in solid mechanics)
- ASME V&V 20 (verification and validation in CFD)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (UAS operations)
- IEC 62133-2 (lithium battery safety)
- EN 55032 (electromagnetic compatibility)
- COMSOL Multiphysics
- ANSYS Mechanical
- ANSYS HFSS
- OpenFOAM
- MATLAB/Simulink
6 modules
1.1Coupled phenomena in a UAS1.2Aerodynamics, structures, thermal and electromagnetics1.3When coupling is needed and when it is not1.4Levels of fidelity and cost1.5Defining the problem and objectives1.6Required input data1.7Validation and verification1.8Common modelling errors1.9Planning a study1.10Workshop: defining a multiphysics case
2.1Blade element theory2.2Actuator disc models2.3Rotor CFD in hover2.4Rotor-fuselage interaction2.5Ground and wall effect2.6Forward flight and asymmetry2.7Aerodynamic noise2.8Validation with thrust testing2.9Meshing and rotating domains2.10Laboratory: simulation of a rotor
3.1Modelling the arm and landing gear3.2Composite materials in drones3.3Manoeuvre and landing loads3.4Modal analysis and rotor resonances3.5Fatigue in joints3.6Impact and drop3.7Weight optimisation3.8Validation with testing3.9Design criteria3.10Laboratory: structural analysis of the arm
4.1Dissipation in ESCs and motors4.2Batteries: heat and safe temperature4.3Passive and forced cooling4.4Effect of hover on cooling4.5Thermal modelling of the assembly4.6Sensors and thermal protection4.7Extreme environments and altitude4.8Validation with thermography4.9Design trade-offs4.10Laboratory: thermal model
5.1Antennas and radiation pattern5.2Antenna placement on the fuselage5.3Interference between subsystems5.4Shielding and cabling5.5Radio link and link budget5.6Electromagnetic compatibility5.7Propagation simulation5.8Range testing5.9Applicable regulations5.10Laboratory: antenna simulation
6.1Defining the drone and the mission6.2Plan of coupled simulations6.3Running and analysing results6.4Identifying trade-offs6.5Redesign proposal6.6Experimental validation plan6.7Model documentation6.8Technical report6.9Presentation of results6.10Final review with the tutor
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 it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is COMSOL Multiphysics, ANSYS Mechanical, ANSYS HFSS, OpenFOAM and MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for thrust testing on a motor test bench, experimental modal analysis and thermography of electronics. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, ASME V&V 10, ASME V&V 20, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, IEC 62133-2, EN 55032.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No previous qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme 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.
Frequently asked questions
The course totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You will work with COMSOL Multiphysics, ANSYS Mechanical, ANSYS HFSS, OpenFOAM and MATLAB/Simulink. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and your tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No previous qualification is required. You need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme 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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