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.
Diploma in V&V of Critical Models and Safety Cases — studying from Canada
Canada is a recognised centre for artificial intelligence research, with hubs in Toronto, Montréal and Edmonton supported by institutes such as the Vector Institute, Mila and Amii. Engineering teams across manufacturing, energy, finance and transport apply simulation, machine learning and data analytics to real operational problems. The federal government's Pan-Canadian AI Strategy and privacy regulation shape how organisations handle data. Typical employers include technology firms, banks, aerospace and automotive companies, and public research bodies.
Fees for Canada: C$1,700 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Do Canadian bodies recognise data or AI qualifications from private institutes?
Data and AI roles in Canada are generally not licensed in the way engineering is, so recognition depends on employers and professional communities rather than a regulator. Engineering licensing through provincial associations applies only to engineering titles. SEIUM's qualifications are private, not official state degrees and not accredited by a national body, so employers decide how much weight to give them.
Do Canadian employers hire for data and AI skills, and would this help?
Canada has a large and active data and AI sector, with notable hubs in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, and employers hire widely for these skills. They usually look first at portfolios, technical interviews and proven projects. A SEIUM final project can demonstrate your ability, but a private qualification's value is decided by each employer, so present it alongside concrete work.
Is this manageable with a job, and what level of English is needed?
Because the programmes are fully online, you can study from home around your job, and no student visa is needed. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's 1,900, so plan your weekly time. Teaching is in English, so strong written and reading English is important. Instalment payments and possible employer sponsorship can help with funding.
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
Define the context of use and the risk of a computational model.
Apply code and numerical solution verification techniques.
Design validation campaigns with quantitative metrics.
Adapt V&V activities to AI-based components.
Build safety cases with GSN and confidence arguments.
Relate the V&V requirements of the sector standards.
Prepare evidence for independent assessments and audits.
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.
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
8 modules
1.1Verification versus validation and accreditation1.2Credibility of computational models1.3Tiered validation hierarchy1.4Intended use and context of use1.5Model risk and influence on the decision1.6The NASA-STD-7009A framework1.7The ASME V&V 40 framework1.8Roles and responsibilities in V&V1.9The model V&V plan1.10Workshop: V&V plan for a braking model
2.1Testing scientific software2.2The method of manufactured solutions2.3Observed order of convergence2.4Estimating discretisation error2.5Richardson extrapolation and GCI2.6Iteration and round-off errors2.7Numerical regression testing2.8Code configuration control2.9Verification in AI models2.10Lab: GCI of a CFD simulation
3.1Design of validation experiments3.2Validation metrics and area of discrepancy3.3Validation according to ASME V&V 203.4Experimental and numerical uncertainty3.5Extrapolation beyond the validated domain3.6Validation of machine learning models3.7Reference datasets3.8Acceptance criteria3.9Documenting evidence3.10Practical exercise: validation metric with test data
4.1AI components in safety functions4.2Operational design domain4.3Data and labelling requirements4.4Performance and robustness specification4.5Scenario-based testing4.6Test coverage in neural networks4.7Explainability as evidence4.8In-service monitoring4.9Life cycle according to ISO/PAS 88004.10Case study: V&V of a pedestrian detector
5.1Concept and structure of a safety case5.2Goal Structuring Notation5.3Claims-Arguments-Evidence (CAE) notation5.4Argument patterns and modules5.5Confidence arguments on evidence5.6Assurance 2.0 and dialectical arguments5.7Defeaters and critical review5.8Argument editing tools5.9Maintaining the safety case5.10Workshop: GSN argument for a braking system
6.1IEC 61508 and SIL levels6.2ISO 26262 and ASIL levels6.3ISO 21448 and SOTIF6.4UL 4600 for autonomous systems6.5DO-178C and DO-330 in avionics6.6EN 50716 in railways6.7IEC 62304 in medical software6.8Tool qualification6.9Comparison of V&V requirements6.10Case study: mapping requirements across standards
7.1Independence in V&V7.2Technical reviews and inspections7.3Functional safety audits7.4Third-party assessment and notified bodies7.5Managing findings and non-conformities7.6Traceability from requirements to evidence7.7Change management and reassessment7.8Lessons learned from incidents7.9Safety culture7.10Case study: audit of an existing safety case
8.1Definition of the model and context of use8.2Risk-based V&V plan8.3Verification activities8.4Validation campaign8.5Quantifying credibility8.6Safety argument in GSN8.7Analysis of evidence and gaps8.8Residual risk and recommendations8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final 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: 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.
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 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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