Postgraduate DiplomaData, AI, Simulation & Analytics Applications open

Diploma in V&V of Critical Models and Safety Cases

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in V&V of critical models and safety cases: 8 modules covering verification and validation concepts, code and solution verification, validation against experiments, critical models and AI systems, safety cases and argumentation, sector safety standards, and independent assessment and audit, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma

Diploma in V&V of Critical Models and Safety Cases — studying from Australia

Data, artificial intelligence and simulation are central to Australian industries including mining, banking, health, agriculture and government. Organisations use machine learning, digital twins and advanced analytics to improve productivity, asset performance and decision making. National science agency CSIRO, along with universities and a growing start-up ecosystem, drives research and applied innovation. Australia has also developed national AI ethics principles, making responsible design an important professional consideration. Engineers in this area typically work for technology firms, consultancies, research organisations and large enterprises.

Fees for Australia: A$1,740 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in Australia

  • Australian Computer Society (ACS)
  • CSIRO
  • Department of Industry, Science and Resources
  • Standards Australia

Typical roles

  • Data Scientist
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Simulation Engineer
  • Analytics Engineer

Questions from Australia

Which Australian bodies recognise data and AI engineering skills?

Engineers Australia and the Australian Computer Society (ACS) are the main professional bodies, and the ACS runs a skills assessment for migration purposes. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by either. Whether a private qualification is valued is decided by the employer or the relevant body.

What data and AI careers exist in Australia for this training?

Australia has demand for data scientists, AI engineers and simulation analysts across finance, health, mining, government and technology firms. Employers mainly assess your portfolio, technical skills and results. A SEIUM qualification may support your profile, but each employer decides its relevance.

Can I study this online from Australia while working?

Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's 1,900, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Define the context of use and the risk of a computational model.

02

Apply code and numerical solution verification techniques.

03

Design validation campaigns with quantitative metrics.

04

Adapt V&V activities to AI-based components.

05

Build safety cases with GSN and confidence arguments.

06

Relate the V&V requirements of the sector standards.

07

Prepare evidence for independent assessments and audits.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Verification and validation engineers.
  • Functional safety engineers.
  • Independent safety assessors.
  • Analysts working on safety-critical simulation.
  • Certification engineers.
  • AI assurance leads.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ASME V&V 40-2018 (credibility assessment of computational models)
  • NASA-STD-7009A (standard for models and simulations)
  • IEC 61508:2010 (functional safety of E/E/PE safety-related systems)
  • ISO 26262:2018 (road vehicles functional safety)
  • ISO 21448:2022 (safety of the intended functionality, SOTIF)
  • UL 4600 (safety of autonomous products)
  • ISO/PAS 8800:2024 (road vehicles, safety and artificial intelligence)
  • GSN Community Standard v3 (Goal Structuring Notation)
  • Astah GSN
  • MATLAB/Simulink Test
  • ANSYS Fluent
  • Polarion ALM
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Verification versus validation and accreditation
  2. 1.2Credibility of computational models
  3. 1.3Tiered validation hierarchy
  4. 1.4Intended use and context of use
  5. 1.5Model risk and influence on the decision
  6. 1.6The NASA-STD-7009A framework
  7. 1.7The ASME V&V 40 framework
  8. 1.8Roles and responsibilities in V&V
  9. 1.9The model V&V plan
  10. 1.10Workshop: V&V plan for a braking model
  1. 2.1Testing scientific software
  2. 2.2The method of manufactured solutions
  3. 2.3Observed order of convergence
  4. 2.4Estimating discretisation error
  5. 2.5Richardson extrapolation and GCI
  6. 2.6Iteration and round-off errors
  7. 2.7Numerical regression testing
  8. 2.8Code configuration control
  9. 2.9Verification in AI models
  10. 2.10Lab: GCI of a CFD simulation
  1. 3.1Design of validation experiments
  2. 3.2Validation metrics and area of discrepancy
  3. 3.3Validation according to ASME V&V 20
  4. 3.4Experimental and numerical uncertainty
  5. 3.5Extrapolation beyond the validated domain
  6. 3.6Validation of machine learning models
  7. 3.7Reference datasets
  8. 3.8Acceptance criteria
  9. 3.9Documenting evidence
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: validation metric with test data
  1. 4.1AI components in safety functions
  2. 4.2Operational design domain
  3. 4.3Data and labelling requirements
  4. 4.4Performance and robustness specification
  5. 4.5Scenario-based testing
  6. 4.6Test coverage in neural networks
  7. 4.7Explainability as evidence
  8. 4.8In-service monitoring
  9. 4.9Life cycle according to ISO/PAS 8800
  10. 4.10Case study: V&V of a pedestrian detector
  1. 5.1Concept and structure of a safety case
  2. 5.2Goal Structuring Notation
  3. 5.3Claims-Arguments-Evidence (CAE) notation
  4. 5.4Argument patterns and modules
  5. 5.5Confidence arguments on evidence
  6. 5.6Assurance 2.0 and dialectical arguments
  7. 5.7Defeaters and critical review
  8. 5.8Argument editing tools
  9. 5.9Maintaining the safety case
  10. 5.10Workshop: GSN argument for a braking system
  1. 6.1IEC 61508 and SIL levels
  2. 6.2ISO 26262 and ASIL levels
  3. 6.3ISO 21448 and SOTIF
  4. 6.4UL 4600 for autonomous systems
  5. 6.5DO-178C and DO-330 in avionics
  6. 6.6EN 50716 in railways
  7. 6.7IEC 62304 in medical software
  8. 6.8Tool qualification
  9. 6.9Comparison of V&V requirements
  10. 6.10Case study: mapping requirements across standards
  1. 7.1Independence in V&V
  2. 7.2Technical reviews and inspections
  3. 7.3Functional safety audits
  4. 7.4Third-party assessment and notified bodies
  5. 7.5Managing findings and non-conformities
  6. 7.6Traceability from requirements to evidence
  7. 7.7Change management and reassessment
  8. 7.8Lessons learned from incidents
  9. 7.9Safety culture
  10. 7.10Case study: audit of an existing safety case
  1. 8.1Definition of the model and context of use
  2. 8.2Risk-based V&V plan
  3. 8.3Verification activities
  4. 8.4Validation campaign
  5. 8.5Quantifying credibility
  6. 8.6Safety argument in GSN
  7. 8.7Analysis of evidence and gaps
  8. 8.8Residual risk and recommendations
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Astah GSN, MATLAB/Simulink Test, ANSYS Fluent and Polarion ALM, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied on real procedures: verification of simulation codes using manufactured solutions, validation of models against laboratory tests and construction of safety arguments for automated functions. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.

Standards covered: ASME V&V 40-2018, NASA-STD-7009A, IEC 61508:2010, ISO 26262:2018, ISO 21448:2022, UL 4600, ISO/PAS 8800:2024, GSN Community Standard v3.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ASME V&V 40-2018, NASA-STD-7009A and IEC 61508:2010 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Astah GSN, MATLAB/Simulink Test, ANSYS Fluent and Polarion ALM, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a V&V and safety case project with a risk-based V&V plan, verification and validation campaigns, credibility quantification and a GSN safety argument, reviewed by your tutor.
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.

Context of use and plan
Define the model and its context of use and draw up a risk-based V&V plan.
Verification activities
Carry out code and solution verification activities on the model.
Validation and credibility
Run the validation campaign and quantify the credibility of the model.
GSN safety argument
Build the safety argument in GSN and analyse evidence and gaps.
Final project
Present the residual risk, recommendations and final report.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Verification and validation engineerFunctional safety engineerIndependent safety assessorCritical simulation analystCertification engineerAI assurance lead
Admissions & scholarships

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.

FAQ

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 Astah GSN, MATLAB/Simulink Test, ANSYS Fluent and Polarion ALM, 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 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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