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Postgraduate DiplomaDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Diploma in Testing and Validation of Critical Software

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in testing and validation of critical software. 8 modules covering verification principles, requirements-based testing, structural coverage, static analysis and formal methods, embedded and real-time testing, model-based testing and automation and system validation across sectors, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 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

Plan the verification of critical software.

02

Design requirements-based tests.

03

Measure and justify structural coverage.

04

Apply static analysis and formal methods.

05

Carry out embedded and real-time testing.

06

Automate testing with models and qualified tools.

07

Compare testing requirements across critical sectors.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Software verification engineers.
  • Embedded test engineers.
  • Formal methods specialists.
  • Software quality engineers.
  • Verification independence managers.
  • Integration engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • RTCA DO-178C (software considerations in airborne systems certification)
  • ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1:2022 (software testing: general concepts)
  • RTCA DO-330 (software tool qualification considerations)
  • RTCA DO-333 (formal methods supplement to DO-178C)
  • MISRA C:2023 (guidelines for the use of C in critical systems)
  • IEC 61508-3:2010 (functional safety: software requirements)
  • EN 50716:2023 (railway applications: software development requirements)
  • ISO 26262-6:2018 (road vehicles functional safety: software level)
  • VectorCAST
  • LDRA Testbed
  • Polyspace
  • Frama-C
  • Simulink Test
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Verification versus validation
  2. 1.2Test levels
  3. 1.3ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 series
  4. 1.4Safety-critical software
  5. 1.5Verifiable requirements
  6. 1.6Coverage criteria
  7. 1.7Independence of verification
  8. 1.8Test plan
  9. 1.9Verification metrics
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: test plan for a module
  1. 2.1Equivalence partitioning
  2. 2.2Boundary value analysis
  3. 2.3Decision tables
  4. 2.4Robustness testing
  5. 2.5Normal and abnormal cases
  6. 2.6Requirement-to-test traceability
  7. 2.7Interface testing
  8. 2.8State machine testing
  9. 2.9Review of test cases
  10. 2.10Workshop: test cases for a fuel control
  1. 3.1Statement coverage
  2. 3.2Decision coverage
  3. 3.3MC/DC coverage
  4. 3.4Coverage tools
  5. 3.5Object code verification
  6. 3.6Dead code
  7. 3.7Deactivated code
  8. 3.8Data and control coupling
  9. 3.9Instrumentation
  10. 3.10Laboratory: MC/DC analysis with VectorCAST
  1. 4.1MISRA C:2023 rules
  2. 4.2CERT C standard
  3. 4.3Abstract interpretation
  4. 4.4Model checking
  5. 4.5Proof with SPARK and Frama-C
  6. 4.6DO-333 supplement
  7. 4.7Design by contract
  8. 4.8Worst-case execution time
  9. 4.9Stack analysis
  10. 4.10Laboratory: verification with Frama-C
  1. 5.1Testing on the target processor
  2. 5.2Hardware-in-the-loop
  3. 5.3Software- and processor-in-the-loop
  4. 5.4Timing constraints
  5. 5.5WCET analysis
  6. 5.6Concurrency
  7. 5.7Real-time operating systems
  8. 5.8Hardware-software integration
  9. 5.9Fault injection
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: HIL bench for a controller
  1. 6.1Simulink Test
  2. 6.2Model-in-the-loop
  3. 6.3Back-to-back testing
  4. 6.4Automatic test case generation
  5. 6.5Continuous integration in critical systems
  6. 6.6DO-330 tool qualification
  7. 6.7Automated regression
  8. 6.8Test management
  9. 6.9Verification reports
  10. 6.10Workshop: automated regression pipeline
  1. 7.1Requirements validation
  2. 7.2System testing
  3. 7.3DO-356A security testing
  4. 7.4Fuzzing
  5. 7.5Acceptance testing
  6. 7.6Operational evaluation
  7. 7.7IEC 61508-3 requirements
  8. 7.8EN 50716 railway requirements
  9. 7.9ISO 26262-6 requirements
  10. 7.10Case study: comparison of testing requirements across sectors
  1. 8.1Software description
  2. 8.2Criticality level
  3. 8.3Verification strategy
  4. 8.4Test cases
  5. 8.5Static analysis
  6. 8.6Structural coverage
  7. 8.7Tools and qualification
  8. 8.8Verification 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 material, 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 your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is VectorCAST, LDRA Testbed, Polyspace, Frama-C and Simulink Test, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for MC/DC coverage analysis, hardware-in-the-loop testing and formal verification of modules. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrated project.

Standards covered: RTCA DO-178C, ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1:2022, RTCA DO-330, RTCA DO-333, MISRA C:2023, IEC 61508-3:2010, EN 50716:2023 and ISO 26262-6:2018.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of RTCA DO-178C, ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1:2022 and RTCA DO-330 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:VectorCAST, LDRA Testbed, Polyspace, Frama-C and Simulink Test, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete verification campaign for a piece of critical software, from strategy and test cases to structural coverage and the verification 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.

Plan the tests
Draw up the test plan for a software module.
Design requirements-based cases
Write test cases for a fuel control function.
Measure coverage and prove
Run MC/DC analysis with VectorCAST and verify code with Frama-C.
Test on the bench
Set up a HIL bench for a controller and an automated regression pipeline.
Final project
Develop a full verification campaign for critical software, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Software verification engineerEmbedded test engineerFormal methods specialistSoftware quality engineerVerification independence managerIntegration engineer
Admissions & scholarships

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.

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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 VectorCAST, LDRA Testbed, Polyspace, Frama-C and Simulink Test, 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 capable of running 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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