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Postgraduate DiplomaDesign, HMI & Product Applications open

Diploma in Cockpit Validation and Safety Testing

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in cockpit validation and safety testing: 8 modules covering cockpit module architecture, validation planning, airbag deployment and passive safety, mechanical and impact tests, vibration and squeak and rattle, climatic ageing, and electronics, EMC and functional safety, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration800 hours · 6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the functional and structural architecture of a cockpit module.

02

Draw up complete DVP&R validation plans for the cockpit.

03

Assess the behaviour of the passenger airbag during deployment.

04

Plan impact, vibration and squeak and rattle tests for the module.

05

Define climatic and ageing tests for interior materials.

06

Validate cockpit electronics against EMC and functional safety requirements.

07

Issue release reports based on test evidence.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Cockpit validation engineers
  • Passive safety engineers
  • NVH and acoustic quality engineers
  • Electronics test engineers
  • DVP&R managers
  • Test laboratory technicians
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the automotive sector
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • FMVSS 208 (occupant crash protection)
  • UNECE Regulation No. 21 (interior fittings of vehicles)
  • ISO 26262 (functional safety of road vehicles)
  • ISO 16750 (environmental conditions and testing for electrical equipment)
  • CISPR 25 (radio disturbance characteristics for on-board receivers)
  • ISO 11452 (component immunity to electromagnetic disturbances)
  • ISO 105-B06 (colour fastness to artificial light at high temperatures)
  • FMVSS 201 (occupant protection in interior impact)
  • LS-DYNA
  • Simcenter Testlab
  • NI DIAdem
  • Jama Connect
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Cockpit cross-car beam and its structural function
  2. 1.2Instrument panel and support structures
  3. 1.3Passenger airbag integration
  4. 1.4Climate control and air ducts
  5. 1.5Steering column and its mountings
  6. 1.6Displays, consoles and integrated electronics
  7. 1.7Interfaces with the body-in-white and tolerances
  8. 1.8Cross-car beam materials: steel, magnesium and composite
  9. 1.9Modularity and line assembly
  10. 1.10Workshop: functional breakdown of a cockpit
  1. 2.1System requirements and cascade to components
  2. 2.2DVP&R and test matrix
  3. 2.3Manufacturer standards and technical specifications
  4. 2.4Phased samples up to PPAP
  5. 2.5Virtual validation versus physical validation
  6. 2.6Acceptance criteria and severity
  7. 2.7Laboratory budget and lead times
  8. 2.8Management of cockpit variants
  9. 2.9Plan review with suppliers
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: drawing up a cockpit DVP&R
  1. 3.1Physics of airbag deployment
  2. 3.2Invisible tear lines and laser scoring
  3. 3.3Cold and hot temperature deployments
  4. 3.4Fragmentation and particle projection
  5. 3.5Out-of-position occupant
  6. 3.6Occupant protection to FMVSS 208
  7. 3.7Knee bolsters and knee airbags
  8. 3.8High-speed camera and image analysis
  9. 3.9Typical deployment failures
  10. 3.10Laboratory: video analysis of a deployment at -35 °C
  1. 4.1Head impact on the instrument panel
  2. 4.2Knee impact and femur load
  3. 4.3Stiffness of the steering column and cross-car beam
  4. 4.4Sled crash tests of the module
  5. 4.5Strength of fasteners and clips
  6. 4.6Service loads and abuse tests
  7. 4.7Strength of glovebox and lids
  8. 4.8Component retention in a crash
  9. 4.9Instrumentation and data acquisition
  10. 4.10Case study: clip breakage in a sled test
  1. 5.1Random road vibration profiles
  2. 5.2Tests on multi-axis shaker tables
  3. 5.3Squeak and rattle: causes and prevention
  4. 5.4Material pairs and compatibility tables
  5. 5.5Natural modes of the cross-car beam and steering wheel
  6. 5.6Squeak test in a semi-anechoic chamber
  7. 5.7HVAC noise in the passenger compartment
  8. 5.8Diagnosis through accelerometry
  9. 5.9Countermeasures with felts, coatings and clearances
  10. 5.10Laboratory: squeak test in a chamber
  1. 6.1Thermal cycling with humidity
  2. 6.2Ageing under simulated solar radiation
  3. 6.3Dimensional stability and warpage
  4. 6.4Discolouration and grey scale assessment
  5. 6.5Emissions and odour of materials
  6. 6.6Thermal shock and cold brittleness
  7. 6.7Resistance to chemicals and cosmetics
  8. 6.8Scratch and wear tests
  9. 6.9Correlation with natural exposure in a desert climate
  10. 6.10Practical exercise: combined climatic test plan
  1. 7.1Electrical validation to ISO 16750
  2. 7.2Radiated emissions to CISPR 25
  3. 7.3Electromagnetic immunity to ISO 11452
  4. 7.4ISO 26262 functional safety in the cockpit
  5. 7.5HIL testing of the instrument cluster and infotainment
  6. 7.6Electrostatic discharge and transients
  7. 7.7Thermal validation of electronics
  8. 7.8HALT accelerated tests
  9. 7.9Software release and validation
  10. 7.10Case study: compatibility failure in the central display
  1. 8.1Definition of the module scope
  2. 8.2Analysis of applicable requirements
  3. 8.3Comprehensive validation plan
  4. 8.4Selection of laboratories and tests
  5. 8.5Prior simulation of critical points
  6. 8.6Interpretation of results and deviations
  7. 8.7Corrective action plan
  8. 8.8Module release report
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine the programme with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is LS-DYNA, Simcenter Testlab, NI DIAdem and Jama Connect, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: airbag deployment tests at extreme temperatures, squeak and vibration tests on multi-axis tables, and head and knee impact tests on the instrument panel. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: FMVSS 208, UNECE Regulation No. 21, ISO 26262, ISO 16750, CISPR 25, ISO 11452, ISO 105-B06, FMVSS 201.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of FMVSS 208, UNECE Regulation No. 21 and ISO 26262 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:LS-DYNA, Simcenter Testlab, NI DIAdem and Jama Connect, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete validation project for a cockpit module, from requirements analysis and the validation plan to the module release report, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Scope and requirements
Define the scope of the cockpit module and analyse the applicable requirements.
Comprehensive validation plan
Build the full validation plan and select laboratories and tests.
Critical-point simulation
Simulate the critical points of the module before physical testing.
Results and corrective actions
Interpret results and deviations and draw up a corrective action plan.
Final project
Issue the module release report and present it for final review with your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Cockpit validation engineerPassive safety engineerNVH and acoustic quality engineerElectronics test engineerDVP&R managerTest laboratory technician
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer able to run 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.

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FAQ

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 LS-DYNA, Simcenter Testlab, NI DIAdem and Jama Connect, 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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