Propeller Profile Optimisation Course
300-hour online course in propeller profile optimisation. 6 modules covering ISO 484-1 Marine propellers: manufacturing tolerances for propellers with a diameter greater than 2.5 m, ISO 484-2 Manufacturing tolerances for propellers with a diameter between 0.8 and 2.5 m, and OpenProp. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Propeller Profile Optimisation Course — studying from Australia
Australia's maritime sector is substantial, encompassing naval shipbuilding, offshore oil and gas, port operations and recreational boating. The Royal Australian Navy's shipbuilding programmes, including the Hunter class frigates and Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia, generate significant engineering demand. Offshore energy developments on the North West Shelf and in Bass Strait require marine and structural expertise. Recreational boating is widespread, supported by a strong sports nautical industry. Employers include naval shipbuilders, offshore operators, port authorities and marine equipment manufacturers.
Fees for Australia: A$712 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Is this training recognised by Australian maritime regulators such as AMSA?
SEIUM qualifications are private and are not official state degrees or accredited by national bodies. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority regulates maritime certificates and qualifications separately, and SEIUM training does not replace those requirements. Confirm with AMSA or your employer which credentials your intended role requires.
Which Australian employers might consider this qualification for naval or offshore work?
Offshore energy operators, shipbuilders, naval contractors, marine consultancies and sports nautical manufacturers are examples of Australian employers in this area. Their hiring decisions depend on their own criteria and on any required certifications. A private qualification is one factor among experience and licensing.
Can I study this part time from Australia, and can employers help pay?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa and fit learning around your schedule. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Confirm the total hours and expected pace before committing.
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
Understand the geometry and hydrodynamics of blade sections.
Apply classical and numerical propeller design methods.
Formulate optimisation problems with objectives and constraints.
Use evolutionary algorithms and surrogate models.
Assess the performance and cavitation of the designs obtained.
Relate design to manufacturing and ISO 484 tolerances.
Carry out the complete optimisation of a propeller.
Who it's for
- Marine propeller designer looking to specialise in Propeller Profile Optimisation.
- Hydrodynamic optimisation engineer looking to specialise in Propeller Profile Optimisation.
- Propulsion CFD engineer looking to specialise in Propeller Profile Optimisation.
- Propeller manufacturing technician looking to specialise in Propeller Profile Optimisation.
- Energy retrofit consultant looking to specialise in Propeller Profile Optimisation.
- Naval propulsion researcher looking to specialise in Propeller Profile Optimisation.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to join propeller manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- ISO 484-1 Marine propellers: manufacturing tolerances for propellers with a diameter greater than 2.5 m
- ISO 484-2 Manufacturing tolerances for propellers with a diameter between 0.8 and 2.5 m
- DNV-CG-0039 Calculation of marine propellers
- ITTC 7.5-02-03-02.1 Open Water Test
- DNV-RU-SHIP Pt.4 Ch.5 Rotating machinery – propulsors
- ITTC 7.5-02-03-03.1 Model-Scale Cavitation Test
- IMO Resolution MEPC.364(79) Attained EEDI calculation
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Blade sections: thickness, camber and chord1.2NACA 66 and a=0.8 section families1.3Pitch and radial camber distributions1.4Thin aerofoil theory1.5Lift, drag and ideal angle1.6Cavitation bucket of a section1.7Three-dimensional and tip effects1.8Wageningen B and Gawn systematic series1.9Parametrisation with B-spline curves1.10Case study: cavitation bucket of a NACA section
2.1Preliminary design with Bp-δ diagrams2.2Lifting line theory and optimum circulation2.3Lifting surface method2.4Boundary element methods (BEM) for propellers2.5Wake-adapted propellers2.6Performance calculation with vortex lattice2.7Controllable pitch propeller design2.8Ducted propellers: 19A and 37 sections2.9Viscous flow corrections2.10Practical: preliminary design with B-series
3.1Design variables, constraints and objectives3.2Single- and multi-objective optimisation3.3Pareto front: efficiency versus cavitation3.4Genetic algorithms and NSGA-II3.5Gradient-based methods and adjoints3.6Design of experiments and sampling3.7Surrogate models: kriging and neural networks3.8Structural strength constraints3.9Robustness to wake variations3.10Workshop: pitch optimisation with a genetic algorithm
4.1RANS evaluation of candidate designs4.2Cavitation over the rotation cycle4.3Pressure pulses and unsteady forces4.4Noise from the optimised propeller4.5Off-design behaviour4.6Blade strength and stresses4.7Blade vibration and natural frequencies4.8ISO 484 manufacturing tolerances4.9Comparison with the original propeller4.10Case study: verification of a Pareto design
5.1Casting of bronze propellers5.2CNC machining of blades5.3Dimensional inspection and tolerance classes5.4Open-water tests in a towing tank5.5Cavitation tunnel tests5.6Sea trials and power analysis5.7In-service propeller reconditioning5.8Retrofit studies and return on investment5.9Additive manufacturing of propellers5.10Laboratory: comparison of open-water tests
6.1Ship and wake starting data6.2Initial design and parametrisation6.3Definition of objectives and constraints6.4Running the optimisation6.5Analysis of results and Pareto front6.6Verification of cavitation and strength6.7Propeller definition drawing6.8Fuel saving estimate6.9Report and presentation6.10Final 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: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is OpenProp, PROCAL, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, modeFRONTIER, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The exercises are based on real propeller pitch distribution optimisation procedures using a genetic algorithm, RANS evaluation of candidate designs and open-water testing in a towing tank. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus a final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the geometry and hydrodynamics of blade sections.
Apply classical and numerical propeller design methods.
Formulate optimisation problems with objectives and constraints.
Use evolutionary algorithms and surrogate models.
Assess the performance and cavitation of the designs obtained.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No previous degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses OpenProp, PROCAL, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, modeFRONTIER and MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the crediting policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Polar Code Regulations Course in Arctic Navigation
Online course of 300 hours in Polar Code regulations for Arctic navigation. 6 modules covering the Polar Code (Resolutions MSC.385(94) and MEPC.264(68)), SOLAS Convention ch. XIV…
Course in Ship Manoeuvrability in Restricted Ports
Online 300 h course in ship manoeuvrability in restricted ports. 6 modules with IMO Resolution MSC.137(76) Standards for Ship Manoeuvrability, PIANC Report nº 121 Harbour Approaches…
Course in Noise and Vibration Reduction in Engine Rooms
Online 300-hour course in noise and vibration reduction in engine rooms. 6 modules covering IMO Resolution MSC.337(91) Code on Noise Levels on Board Ships, ISO 2923…
More in Naval, Offshore & Sports Nautical
All Naval, Offshore & Sports Nautical programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships