Diploma in Visible Vortex Management and Flow Features in Bodywork
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in managing visible vortices and flow features on vehicle bodies, structured in 8 modules covering flow structures, visible flow effects, experimental visualisation, flow and particle simulation, aerodynamic noise, vortex control and design integration, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Identify the vortex structures around a vehicle.
Relate vortices to soiling, rain and visibility.
Plan flow visualisation tests in the wind tunnel.
Simulate droplets, water films and wakes with CFD.
Diagnose aerodynamic noise sources associated with vortices.
Design geometric countermeasures integrated into the body.
Communicate flow-driven requirements to the design studio.
Who it's for
- Vehicle aerodynamics engineers.
- Body CFD specialists.
- Wind tunnel test engineers.
- Aeroacoustics engineers.
- Technical exterior designers.
- Water management engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the automotive industry.
What you'll work with
- SAE J1252 (wind tunnel test practices)
- UNECE Regulation No. 46 (devices for indirect vision)
- Regulation (EU) No 1008/2010 (windscreen wiper and washer systems)
- Regulation (EU) No 672/2010 (windscreen defrosting and demisting)
- UNECE Regulation No. 43 (safety glazing)
- ISO 362-1:2022 (noise emitted by accelerating vehicles)
- UNECE Regulation No. 26 (external projections)
- Simcenter STAR-CCM+
- PowerFLOW
- OpenFOAM
- ParaView
- Ansys Fluent
8 modules
1.1Vorticity and circulation1.2Longitudinal A-pillar vortices1.3Rear window vortices and C-pillar flow1.4Separation and recirculation1.5Near and far wake of the vehicle1.6Underbody and wheel flow1.7Interaction between structures1.8Q and lambda-2 criteria for vortex identification1.9Scales and Reynolds number1.10Workshop: identifying vortices in a CFD result
2.1Soiling of side windows and mirrors2.2Raindrops and water management2.3Wheel spray and splash2.4Dirt build-up on tailgate and cameras2.5Ice and snow on sensors2.6Condensation and misting2.7Effects on visibility and safety2.8Contamination of ADAS sensors2.9Soiling acceptance criteria2.10Practical exercise: diagnosing side soiling
3.1Wool tufts in the wind tunnel3.2Flow paint and oil3.3Smoke and laser sheets3.4PIV in the wind tunnel3.5Soiling tests with fluorescent tracers3.6Rain tests in a climatic tunnel3.7Pressure probes and wall taps3.8Photography and test recording3.9Comparing testing and simulation3.10Lab: planning a tracer test
4.1RANS, DES and LES models4.2Meshing styling geometries4.3Lagrangian droplet simulation4.4Water films on surfaces4.5Aerodynamic noise models4.6Post-processing with isosurfaces and streamlines4.7Transient wake simulation4.8Correlation with tests4.9Computational cost and strategies4.10Case study: droplet simulation on a side window
5.1Wind noise sources5.2Mirror and A-pillar noise5.3Joint and seal noise5.4Whistles and tonal noise5.5The Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings analogy5.6Aeroacoustic wind tunnel testing5.7Microphone arrays and beamforming5.8Acoustic comfort criteria5.9Shape countermeasures5.10Workshop: source identification with beamforming
6.1Vortex generators and fins6.2Gutters and drip edges6.3Mirror geometry and housings6.4Rear window edges and spoilers6.5Adjusting pillar radii6.6Air curtains in wheel arches6.7Diffusers and deflectors6.8Aesthetic integration of devices6.9Validating countermeasures6.10Practical exercise: mirror redesign to reduce soiling
7.1Communicating flow structures to the studio7.2Flow indicators for styling decisions7.3Visibility and homologation requirements7.4Trade-offs with aerodynamics and aesthetics7.5Shape iterations with CFD7.6Documenting solutions7.7Lessons learned from vehicles in service7.8Customer complaints and warranty7.9Benchmarking competitor solutions7.10Case study: flow features report for a design review
8.1Selecting the study area8.2Diagnosing the current flow8.3Baseline simulation8.4Proposing countermeasures8.5Aesthetic integration of countermeasures8.6Comparative evaluation of countermeasures8.7Experimental validation plan8.8Impact analysis on overall aerodynamics8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online 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, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Simcenter STAR-CCM+, PowerFLOW, OpenFOAM, ParaView, Ansys Fluent, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: diagnosing side window and sensor soiling, simulating droplets and water films, and redesigning mirrors and pillars for vortex control. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: SAE J1252, UNECE Regulation No. 46, Regulation (EU) No 1008/2010, Regulation (EU) No 672/2010, UNECE Regulation No. 43, ISO 362-1:2022, UNECE Regulation No. 26.
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's 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 Simcenter STAR-CCM+, PowerFLOW, OpenFOAM, ParaView and Ansys Fluent, 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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