Postgraduate Diploma in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management. 8 modules covering FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations, FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations and STAR-CCM+. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management — studying from Canada
Canada's automotive industry is concentrated in Ontario, particularly around Windsor, Oshawa, Brampton and St. Catharines, with assembly plants and a dense supplier network. Companies such as General Motors Canada, Stellantis Canada and Toyota Canada operate production facilities, supported by a strong parts sector. Motorsport activity is present through national series and circuits such as Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Mosport. Engineers work on vehicle design, powertrain development, manufacturing engineering and supplier quality.
Fees for Canada: C$2,010 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Which Canadian bodies recognise automotive engineering qualifications?
Automotive engineers in Canada often hold Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licences from provincial associations such as Professional Engineers Ontario, which regulate the title 'engineer'. SEIUM is a private institute, and its qualifications are not official state degrees and are not accredited by any national body, so they do not confer P.Eng. status. Whether an employer or other body recognises the training is their decision, so confirm this before you enrol.
Where in Canada would automotive or motorsport training be useful to employers?
Canada has automotive manufacturing centred in Ontario, with suppliers across the country, and a range of motorsport and performance engineering businesses. Employers in these areas typically assess candidates on skills, portfolios and practical experience. A SEIUM final project can document your work, but how much weight a private qualification carries is up to each employer, so ask them directly.
How does the workload and funding work for someone employed in Canada?
Programmes are fully online, so you can study from anywhere, including outside Canadian time zones if needed, but schedules should be planned around your work. Hours range from 300 for specialist courses to 1,900 for master's programmes. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Teaching is in English, and an assigned technical tutor supports you throughout.
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
Explain low-speed aerodynamics.
Analyse the physics of vortex generation and interaction.
Manage wakes to improve performance in traffic.
Design flow control devices.
Simulate vortical flows using appropriate models.
Plan tests and visualisation techniques.
Apply vortex management to vehicle development.
Who it's for
- Aerodynamicist wishing to specialise in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management.
- CFD engineer wishing to specialise in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management.
- Wind tunnel engineer wishing to specialise in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management.
- Development engineer wishing to specialise in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management.
- Performance engineer wishing to specialise in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management.
- Fluid mechanics researcher wishing to specialise in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences looking to enter motorsport.
What you'll work with
- FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations
- FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations
- SAE J1594
- SAE J2084
- ASME V&V 20
- IEC 60825-1
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Reynolds number and flow regime1.2Laminar and turbulent boundary layers1.3Separation and laminar bubbles1.4High-lift aerofoils1.5Ground effect at low speed1.6Downforce in slow corners1.7Ride height sensitivity1.8Differences from high speed1.9Slow circuit data1.10Case study: loss of downforce in a hairpin
2.1Vortex generation at extremities2.2Leading-edge vortices2.3Endplate vortices2.4Vortex interaction2.5Stability and breakdown2.6Ground vortices2.7Lateral sealing with vortices2.8Wheel vortices2.9Vortex visualisation2.10Practice: vortex identification using the Q criterion
3.1Front wheel wake3.2Outwash and inwash3.3Wheel flow management3.4Wake of a following car3.5Loss of downforce in traffic3.6Designing to follow another car3.72022 regulations and ground effect3.8Wake performance metrics3.9Two-car simulation3.10Laboratory: CFD simulation of a car in a wake
4.1Vortex generators4.2Gurney flaps at the trailing edge4.3Slots and multi-element wings4.4Edge devices4.5Bargeboards and side deflectors4.6Turning vanes under the nose4.7Endplate fences4.8Ground control4.9Regulatory restrictions on devices4.10Workshop: vortex generator design
5.1Turbulence and vortex models5.2RANS versus LES and DES5.3Mesh resolution for vortices5.4Numerical diffusion of vortices5.5Transient simulation5.6Vortex post-processing5.7Validation with PIV5.8Computational cost and HPC resources5.9Best practice in vortical simulation5.10Practice: RANS and DES comparison
6.1Low-speed wind tunnel testing6.2Paraffin flow visualisation6.3Wool tufts6.4PIV in the wind tunnel6.5Pressure rakes6.6Correlation with CFD6.7On-track testing6.8Scale limitations6.9Data analysis6.10Case study: interpreting on-track flow visualisation
7.1Front wing design7.2Ground vortex management7.3Yaw sensitivity7.4Slow corner performance7.5High-speed trade-offs7.6Development by circuit7.7Lessons from teams7.8Development planning7.9Testing restrictions7.10Case study: package for a slow circuit
8.1Case definition8.2Baseline flow analysis8.3Device design8.4Vortex simulation8.5Wake study8.6Experimental validation in the wind tunnel8.7Optimisation of flow control devices8.8Final results report8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, Tecplot 360, ParaView, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for CFD simulation of cars in wakes, wind tunnel visualisation tests and on-track paraffin flow visualisation. 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.
Explain aerodynamics in the low-speed regime.
Analyse the physics of vortex generation and interaction.
Manage wakes to improve performance in traffic.
Design flow control devices.
Simulate vortical flows with appropriate models.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient English to read technical regulations.
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 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, Tecplot 360 and ParaView. 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 final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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