Diploma in Thermal Signature Management
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in thermal signature management. 8 modules covering thermal radiation and signatures, infrared sensors, thermal signature modelling, thermal management techniques, platform signatures, measurement and testing, and regulation, management and ethics, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Thermal Signature Management — 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$1,400 (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 fundamentals of thermal radiation and signatures.
Select and calibrate infrared sensors.
Model the thermal signatures of platforms.
Apply thermal management and reduction techniques.
Analyse signatures on different types of platform.
Plan measurement and test campaigns.
Integrate signature management into the life cycle.
Who it's for
- Signature engineers.
- Thermography specialists.
- Thermal engineers.
- Infrared test technicians.
- Platform design engineers.
- Materials researchers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 18434-1 (thermography in condition monitoring)
- ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing laboratories)
- ASTM E1933 (emissivity measurement by thermography)
- ASTM E1213 (minimum resolvable temperature difference)
- ISO 9869 (thermal insulation: in-situ measurement)
- STANAG 4347 (definition of environmental conditions for signatures)
- ThermoAnalytics TAITherm
- MODTRAN
- ANSYS Fluent
- FLIR Research Studio
- MATLAB
8 modules
1.1Planck's law and the black body1.2Emissivity and reflectivity1.3MWIR and LWIR atmospheric bands1.4Atmospheric transmission1.5Apparent thermal contrast1.6Heat sources on platforms1.7Exhaust signatures and wakes1.8Solar and environmental effects1.9Diurnal variation1.10Workshop: radiance calculation with Planck's law
2.1Cooled and uncooled detectors2.2Microbolometers2.3InSb and MCT detectors2.4NETD and MRTD parameters2.5Infrared optics2.6Radiometric calibration2.7Commercial thermographic cameras2.8Hyperspectral sensors2.9Detection performance2.10Lab: calibration of a thermographic camera
3.1Surface heat balance3.2Conduction, convection and radiation3.3Thermal node models3.4Finite element simulation3.5Plume models3.6Signature simulation software3.7Validation with measurements3.8Background databases3.9Environmental scenarios3.10Practical exercise: thermal model of a container
4.1Insulation and thermal barriers4.2Low-emissivity coatings4.3Exhaust cooling4.4Gas mixing and dilution4.5Engine and electronics management4.6Thermal screens and nets4.7Phase-change materials4.8Adaptive surfaces4.9Trade-offs with other signatures4.10Case study: signature reduction of a generator
5.1Land vehicles5.2Ships and funnel management5.3Aircraft and nozzles5.4Personnel and individual equipment5.5Fixed installations5.6Civil security equipment5.7Integration from the design stage5.8Coating maintenance5.9Performance assessment5.10Case study: signature analysis of a patrol vessel
6.1Field measurement campaigns6.2Climatic chamber testing6.3Emissivity measurement6.4Test procedures6.5Statistical data analysis6.6Measurement uncertainty6.7Technical reports6.8ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation6.9Thermography standards6.10Lab: outdoor thermal contrast measurement
7.1Signature management across the life cycle7.2Contractual requirements7.3Applicable STANAG standards7.4Export controls on cameras7.5Civil uses of thermal management7.6Energy efficiency and signatures7.7Ethics of concealment development7.8Environmental responsibility7.9Knowledge management7.10Case study: signature requirements in a tender specification
8.1Platform selection8.2Identification of heat sources8.3Thermal model8.4Baseline measurements8.5Reduction proposal8.6Performance assessment8.7Test plan8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online programme 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. You work with ThermoAnalytics TAITherm, MODTRAN, ANSYS Fluent, FLIR Research Studio and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: outdoor thermal contrast measurements, radiometric camera calibration and thermal modelling of platforms. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 18434-1, ISO/IEC 17025, ASTM E1933, ASTM E1213, ISO 9869 and STANAG 4347.
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 ThermoAnalytics TAITherm, MODTRAN, ANSYS Fluent, FLIR Research Studio and MATLAB, 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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