DO-178C Fundamentals Course
Online course of 300 hours in DO-178C fundamentals, structured in 6 modules covering the software certification context, software planning, development processes, verification, and integral processes and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
DO-178C Fundamentals Course — studying from Ireland
Ireland's aerospace sector is concentrated in Shannon, Limerick and the Dublin region, with a strong base of maintenance, repair and overhaul, avionics, aerostructures and engine component manufacturing. Multinational suppliers and specialist SMEs serve global airframe and engine programmes, while the Irish Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency shape certification and airworthiness requirements. Growing interest in drones, urban air mobility and space-related research is supported by university spin-outs and national research centres. Engineers here work on design assurance, systems integration, maintenance planning and compliance across the aviation value chain.
Fees for Ireland: €448 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by professional bodies in Ireland for aerospace work?
SEIUM's qualifications are private, not state-awarded, and are not accredited by any national body. Engineers Ireland is the main professional body for engineers in Ireland and sets its own membership criteria, so recognition is decided by them, not by SEIUM. Aviation safety oversight sits with the Irish Aviation Authority. Check directly with these bodies before relying on any credential for licensing or chartership.
Do Irish aerospace and drone employers value private online engineering qualifications?
Hiring in Ireland's aerospace and drone sector is generally driven by demonstrable skills, relevant experience and, for many roles, recognised degrees. A private qualification may support a CV, particularly alongside practical experience, but its weight is decided by each employer. We cannot promise any outcome. Speaking to prospective employers about how they view SEIUM's programmes is the most reliable way to judge.
Can I study this programme alongside a full-time job in Ireland?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so there is no travel and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so plan your weekly time accordingly. You will have an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments. Some employers offer funding, which you should ask about directly.
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
Understand the role of DO-178C in aircraft certification.
Determine the software level according to its contribution to failure conditions.
Produce the life-cycle plans required by the standard.
Apply the requirements, design and coding processes with traceability.
Define verification and structural coverage strategies.
Manage the integral configuration and quality processes.
Prepare the evidence for the stages of involvement of the authority.
Who it's for
- Aviation software certification engineers.
- Software quality assurance engineers.
- Verification engineers.
- Embedded software developers.
- Designated certification representatives.
- DO-178C consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter avionics.
What you'll work with
- RTCA DO-178C / EUROCAE ED-12C (software considerations in airborne systems certification)
- RTCA DO-330 (software tool qualification)
- RTCA DO-248C (supporting information and clarifications for DO-178C)
- AMC 20-115D (EASA acceptable means of compliance for airborne software)
- FAA AC 20-115D (FAA advisory circular on airborne software)
- SAE ARP4754A (development of civil aircraft and systems)
- RTCA DO-331 (model-based development supplement)
- RTCA DO-332 (object-oriented technology supplement)
- LDRA Testbed
- VectorCAST
- IBM DOORS
- Rapita RVS
- Polyspace
6 modules
1.1Type certification and certification bases1.2Role of EASA, the FAA and the authorities1.3AMC 20-115D and AC 20-115D1.4Relationship with ARP4754A and ARP47611.5History: from DO-178B to DO-178C1.6Supplements DO-330, DO-331, DO-332 and DO-3331.7DO-248C clarification document1.8Software levels DAL A to E1.9Objectives by level in the Annex A tables1.10Case study: level assignment for flight control software
2.1Plan for Software Aspects of Certification (PSAC)2.2Software development plan2.3Verification plan2.4Configuration management plan2.5Quality assurance plan2.6Requirements, design and code standards2.7Transition criteria between processes2.8Stages of involvement of the authority (SOI)2.9Coordination with the system level2.10Workshop: drafting the outline of a PSAC
3.1High-level requirements3.2Derived requirements and their feedback to safety3.3Architecture and low-level requirements3.4Source code and coding standards3.5Executable object code3.6Integration on the target hardware3.7Partitioning and protection3.8Dead code and deactivated code3.9Bidirectional traceability3.10Practical: requirements-to-code traceability matrix
4.1Reviews and analyses of requirements4.2Requirements-based testing4.3Normal and robustness cases4.4Requirements coverage4.5Structural coverage: statement, decision and MC/DC4.6Data coupling and control coupling analysis4.7Object code verification at level A4.8Independence of verification4.9Results and discrepancies4.10Lab: calculating MC/DC coverage of a function
5.1Configuration management and control categories5.2Problem reports5.3Software quality assurance5.4Certification liaison with the authority5.5Tool qualification under DO-3305.6Previously developed software5.7Commercial COTS software5.8Configuration index and Software Accomplishment Summary (SAS)5.9Common audit findings5.10Case study: preparing for an SOI-2 audit
6.1Description of the system and function6.2Determination of the software level6.3Drafting the PSAC6.4Definition of standards6.5Requirements and traceability6.6Verification strategy6.7Configuration management plan6.8Accomplishment summary6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 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, so you can combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is LDRA Testbed, VectorCAST, IBM DOORS, Rapita RVS and Polyspace, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for drafting certification plans, structural coverage analysis and simulated SOI audits. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrated project.
Standards covered: RTCA DO-178C / EUROCAE ED-12C, RTCA DO-330, RTCA DO-248C, AMC 20-115D, FAA AC 20-115D, SAE ARP4754A, RTCA DO-331 and RTCA DO-332.
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
- No prior qualification 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 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with LDRA Testbed, VectorCAST, IBM DOORS, Rapita RVS and Polyspace, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, 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.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer capable of running 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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