Diploma in Critical Avionics and DO-178C Certification
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in critical avionics and DO-178C certification. 8 modules covering critical avionics architectures, DO-178C processes, requirements and design, coding and verification, technology supplements (DO-330 to DO-333), hardware and multicore processors, and configuration, quality and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Critical Avionics and DO-178C Certification — studying from Canada
Canada's defence sector is centred on procurement and sustainment through the Department of National Defence and Defence Research and Development Canada. Industrial activity spans land vehicles, naval systems, avionics and electronics, with firms in Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. Companies such as General Dynamics Land Systems Canada and Lockheed Martin Canada are notable employers, alongside a broad base of small and medium suppliers. Engineers work on systems integration, vehicle protection, logistics and sustainment, operating within strict security and export control frameworks.
Fees for Canada: C$2,330 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Which Canadian bodies or processes govern defence engineering recognition?
Defence engineering in Canada often involves government procurement and security clearances, and engineers typically hold provincial Professional Engineer licences where a title is required. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not official state degrees or accredited by a national body, so they do not confer licensing or clearance. Recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide, so verify this first.
Would Canadian defence or land systems employers accept this training?
Canadian defence employers and contractors generally rely on security clearance, licensing and demonstrated experience. A private qualification may support your application, but it is unlikely to replace those requirements, and its acceptance is up to each employer. A SEIUM final project can help show applied skill, so discuss expectations with prospective employers early.
Can I study remotely while working, and what are the costs and language demands?
Yes, the programmes are fully online, so you can study from Canada or elsewhere without a student visa, and fit sessions around work. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. Teaching is in English, supported by an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be available.
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 architecture of critical avionics.
Apply DO-178C processes.
Define traceable requirements and design.
Verify software through analysis and coverage testing.
Use the DO-178C technology supplements.
Address hardware and multicore certification.
Manage the certification of avionics software.
Who it's for
- Avionics software engineers developing flight-critical code.
- Verification engineers responsible for requirements-based testing and structural coverage.
- DO-178C certification specialists preparing plans and SOI audits.
- Software quality engineers in aerospace programmes.
- Avionics architects working with IMA and ARINC 653 partitioning.
- Tool qualification engineers applying DO-330.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aerospace sector.
What you'll work with
- RTCA DO-178C (software considerations in airborne systems certification)
- SAE ARP4754A (development of civil aircraft and systems)
- RTCA DO-330 (software tool qualification)
- RTCA DO-331 (model-based development and verification)
- RTCA DO-333 (formal methods supplement)
- RTCA DO-254 (design assurance for airborne electronic hardware)
- AMC 20-193 (use of multicore processors)
- ARINC 653 (avionics application software partitioning)
- LDRA tool suite
- Ansys SCADE Suite
- VectorCAST
- AbsInt aiT
- IBM DOORS
8 modules
1.1Integrated modular avionics architectures1.2ARINC 653 partitioning1.3Flight-critical functions1.4Functional hazard assessment1.5DAL levels1.6ARP4754A process1.7System–software interaction1.8Military versus civil avionics1.9Technology trends1.10Case study: assigning DALs to functions
2.1Objectives and Annex A2.2PSAC plan2.3Development and verification plans2.4Requirements, design and code standards2.5Software life cycle2.6Integral processes2.7Transition criteria2.8Independence2.9Reused software2.10Workshop: writing a PSAC
3.1High-level requirements3.2Low-level requirements3.3Traceability3.4Software architecture3.5Partitioning3.6Derived requirements3.7Requirements reviews3.8Robust design3.9Interface control3.10Practical exercise: traceable requirements in DOORS
4.1MISRA C coding standards4.2Code reviews4.3Static analysis4.4Requirements-based testing4.5Robustness testing4.6MC/DC coverage4.7Data and control coupling4.8Execution time analysis4.9Stack usage4.10Lab: MC/DC coverage with LDRA
5.1Tool qualification DO-3305.2Model-based development DO-3315.3Object-oriented technology DO-3325.4Formal methods DO-3335.5Automatic code generation5.6Model simulation5.7Model testing5.8Formal proof5.9Certification credit5.10Practical exercise: SCADE model with code generation
6.1DO-2546.2Programmable devices6.3COTS components6.4Multicore processors6.5AMC 20-193 guidance6.6Inter-core interference6.7Timing analysis6.8Mitigations6.9Certification experience6.10Case study: multicore interference analysis
7.1Software configuration management7.2Quality assurance7.3Liaison with the authority7.4SOI audits7.5Problem reports7.6Software Accomplishment Summary (SAS)7.7Military certification with EMAR 217.8Post-certification changes7.9Software maintenance7.10Workshop: preparing an SOI audit
8.1Function description8.2DAL assignment8.3Certification plan8.4Requirements and design8.5Verification plan8.6Configuration management8.7Certification evidence8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online 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 you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is LDRA tool suite, Ansys SCADE Suite, VectorCAST, AbsInt aiT and IBM DOORS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for structural coverage analysis, model-based development with code generation and preparation of certification audits. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: RTCA DO-178C, SAE ARP4754A, RTCA DO-330, RTCA DO-331, RTCA DO-333, RTCA DO-254, AMC 20-193, ARINC 653.
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 able to run 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.
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 LDRA tool suite, Ansys SCADE Suite, VectorCAST, AbsInt aiT and IBM DOORS, 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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