Diploma in Validation and Verification of Critical Models
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in validation and verification of critical models. 8 modules covering V&V concepts, code and solution verification, validation experiments, uncertainty quantification, validation metrics and model accreditation and credibility management, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Validation and Verification of Critical Models — studying from Australia
Defence is one of Australia's largest engineering employers, with major programmes in land systems, naval platforms, aircraft and integrated systems managed through the Department of Defence. Land systems engineering supports armoured vehicles, weapons and logistics equipment, often through prime contractors and local industry partners. Industry involvement is strongly encouraged through the Defence industry policy framework. Engineers work on sustainment, capability development, systems integration and safety assurance, typically in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and regional defence precincts.
Fees for Australia: A$2,050 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
How does defence engineering recognition work in Australia?
Defence engineering in Australia is largely run through the Department of Defence and its industry partners, which set their own security clearance and qualification requirements. Engineers Australia is the professional body for accreditation. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide.
Which Australian employers hire in defence and land systems?
Australia has defence prime contractors, the Department of Defence, and specialist land systems firms. Many of these roles require Australian security clearances, which depend on citizenship and background checks rather than course completion. Ask employers how they weigh private qualifications against experience and clearance requirements.
Is the course manageable with a job, and does it need a visa?
The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. An assigned technical tutor supports you, 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
Distinguish verification, validation and accreditation conceptually and methodologically.
Apply code and solution verification techniques.
Design suitable validation experiments.
Quantify aleatory and epistemic uncertainties.
Use validation metrics and acceptance criteria.
Assess the credibility of models for critical decisions.
Document VV&A processes in line with international standards.
Who it's for
- Verification and validation engineers.
- Simulation engineers.
- Uncertainty quantification analysts.
- Scientific software quality managers.
- Certification engineers.
- Modelling consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- ASME V&V 10 (verification and validation in computational solid mechanics)
- ASME V&V 20 (verification and validation in computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer)
- ASME V&V 40 (credibility of models for medical devices)
- NASA-STD-7009A (models and simulations)
- IEEE 1012 (system and software verification and validation)
- DoDI 5000.61 (DoD modelling and simulation VV&A)
- AIAA G-077-1998 (guide for V&V of CFD simulations)
- MATLAB
- Dakota
- ANSYS
- Python (SciPy, UQpy)
8 modules
1.1V&V and accreditation terminology1.2Conceptual, mathematical and computational models1.3Sources of error and uncertainty1.4The validation hierarchy1.5Model domain of application1.6Credibility and decision risk1.7ASME, NASA and DoD frameworks1.8History of model-related failures1.9Validation of system models1.10Case study: analysis of a failure caused by an unvalidated model
2.1Testing of scientific software2.2The method of manufactured solutions2.3Observed order of accuracy2.4Regression testing2.5Version control and traceability2.6Code review2.7Software quality according to IEEE 10122.8Continuous integration2.9Unit testing of numerical routines2.10Lab: manufactured solutions in a solver
3.1Discretisation error3.2Richardson extrapolation3.3Grid convergence index3.4Iterative error3.5Round-off errors3.6Mesh independence studies3.7Mesh adaptation3.8Verification report3.9Errors in boundary conditions3.10Practical exercise: mesh convergence study
4.1Design of validation experiments4.2Collaboration between experimentalists and modellers4.3Measured boundary conditions4.4Measurement uncertainty according to the GUM4.5Instrumentation and data acquisition4.6Component and subsystem tests4.7Validation databases4.8Blind tests4.9Scaled validation tests4.10Case study: design of a validation test
5.1Aleatory and epistemic uncertainty5.2Monte Carlo and Latin hypercube sampling5.3Polynomial chaos expansion5.4Global sensitivity analysis5.5Bayesian calibration5.6Surrogate models5.7Uncertainty propagation with Dakota5.8Probability boxes5.9Design of numerical experiments5.10Lab: uncertainty propagation in a model
6.1Graphical and quantitative comparison6.2Area and discrepancy metrics6.3Validation according to ASME V&V 206.4Tolerances and accuracy requirements6.5Extrapolation beyond the validated domain6.6Model form errors6.7Adequacy decision6.8Communication of results6.9Validation of dynamic and time-dependent models6.10Practical exercise: calculation of validation metrics
7.1Accreditation according to DoDI 5000.617.2NASA-STD-7009A credibility scale7.3ASME V&V 40 risk framework7.4Independent peer review7.5Document management7.6Model audits7.7Models in product certification7.8Governance of digital twins7.9Reuse of accredited models7.10Workshop: accreditation plan for a model
8.1Definition of the model and its intended use8.2V&V plan8.3Code and solution verification8.4Validation experiment8.5Uncertainty quantification8.6Validation metrics8.7Credibility assessment8.8Accreditation recommendation8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online learning 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 each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, Dakota, ANSYS and Python (SciPy, UQpy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: code verification using manufactured solutions, validation of a finite element model against a test and uncertainty quantification in a CFD simulation. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ASME V&V 10, ASME V&V 20, ASME V&V 40, NASA-STD-7009A, IEEE 1012, DoDI 5000.61, AIAA G-077-1998.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree 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 programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB, Dakota, ANSYS and Python (SciPy, UQpy), 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 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.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the 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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