Master’s in Sensors and Physical Instrumentation Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in sensors and physical instrumentation engineering. 12 modules covering metrology, measurement uncertainty to the GUM, temperature, mechanical, flow, optical, magnetic and chemical sensors, signal conditioning, data acquisition, smart sensors and calibration under ISO/IEC 17025, 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
Analyse the physical transduction principles of sensors.
Select sensors according to range, accuracy, bandwidth and environment.
Design signal conditioning and acquisition chains.
Calculate measurement uncertainty in accordance with the GUM.
Calibrate instruments with metrological traceability.
Integrate smart sensors and measurement networks.
Validate instrumentation systems under real conditions.
Who it's for
- Instrumentation engineers designing measurement systems.
- Sensor engineers selecting and characterising transducers.
- Metrology engineers working with uncertainty and traceability.
- Data acquisition systems engineers using LabVIEW or Python.
- Transducer R&D engineers developing new sensing principles.
- Calibration laboratory managers working under ISO/IEC 17025.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to move into scientific instrumentation.
What you'll work with
- JCGM 100:2008 GUM (guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement)
- JCGM 200:2012 VIM (International Vocabulary of Metrology)
- ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
- IEC 60751 (industrial platinum resistance thermometers)
- IEC 60584 (thermocouples)
- IEC 61010-1 (safety of measurement, control and laboratory equipment)
- IEEE 1451 (smart transducer interfaces)
- IEC 61298 (process measurement and control devices)
- LabVIEW
- MATLAB
- Python with NumPy and SciPy
- COMSOL Multiphysics
- LTspice
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Concepts of the International Vocabulary of Metrology1.2Accuracy, precision and resolution1.3Sensitivity, linearity and hysteresis1.4Dynamic response and bandwidth1.5Drift, stability and ageing1.6Systematic and random errors1.7Sensor datasheets1.8International System of Units and its redefinition1.9Metrological traceability and the calibration chain1.10Case study: interpreting a datasheet
2.1Measurement model and influence quantities2.2Type A and Type B evaluations2.3Propagation of uncertainties2.4Sensitivity coefficients2.5Expanded uncertainty and coverage factor2.6Monte Carlo method of Supplement 12.7Uncertainty budget2.8Statements of conformity with uncertainty2.9Uncertainty in acquisition systems2.10Practical: uncertainty budget for a temperature measurement
3.1Platinum resistance thermometers, IEC 607513.2Thermocouples and cold-junction compensation3.3NTC and PTC thermistors3.4Integrated silicon sensors3.5Pyrometry and infrared thermography3.6Self-heating and conduction errors3.7Mounting and thermal contact3.8Calibration in baths and furnaces3.9Selection by application3.10Lab: four-wire PT100 measurement
4.1Strain gauges and Wheatstone bridges4.2Load cells and force measurement4.3Piezoresistive pressure sensors4.4Capacitive displacement sensors4.5LVDT differential transformers4.6Optical and magnetic encoders4.7Piezoelectric vibration sensors4.8MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes4.9Torque and strain measurement4.10Practical: full-bridge load cell
5.1Electromagnetic flowmeters for conductive liquids5.2Ultrasonic flowmeters5.3Coriolis mass flowmeters5.4Differential pressure meters5.5Hot-wire thermal anemometry5.6Radar level sensors5.7Capacitive and ultrasonic level sensors5.8Installation and flow profile effects5.9Flowmeter calibration5.10Case study: selecting a process flowmeter
6.1Photodiodes and phototransistors6.2CCD and CMOS image sensors6.3Optical absorption and emission spectrometry6.4Fibre Bragg grating sensors6.5Interferometry for displacement6.6Lidar and time-of-flight distance measurement6.7Ionising radiation detectors6.8Infrared absorption gas sensors6.9Radiometric calibration of detectors6.10Lab: transimpedance amplifier for a photodiode
7.1Hall-effect sensors7.2AMR and GMR magnetoresistors7.3Fluxgate magnetometers7.4Electrochemical gas sensors7.5pH and conductivity sensors7.6Humidity sensors7.7Biosensors and medical sensors7.8Particle sensors7.9Selectivity and cross-sensitivity7.10Practical: current measurement with a Hall sensor
8.1Instrumentation amplifiers8.2Anti-aliasing filters for acquisition8.3Sensor excitation8.4Galvanic isolation of channels8.5Input protection8.6Noise and shielding8.7Analogue and digital linearisation8.84–20 mA interfaces8.9Integrated sensor front-ends8.10Workshop: conditioning chain for strain gauges
9.1Acquisition system architectures9.2Converters for instrumentation9.3Simultaneous and multiplexed sampling9.4Synchronisation and timestamps9.5Acquisition with LabVIEW9.6Digital processing of measurements9.7Data storage and management9.8Networked distributed acquisition9.9Validation of the acquisition system9.10Lab: multichannel acquisition system in LabVIEW
10.1Sensors with digital output10.2I2C, SPI and IO-Link buses10.3The IEEE 1451 standard10.4Wireless sensor networks10.5Sensors in the Internet of Things10.6Sensor fusion10.7Sensor self-diagnostics10.8Cybersecurity in measurement networks10.9Node energy management10.10Case study: wireless sensor node
11.1ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories11.2Standards and calibration hierarchy11.3Calibration procedures11.4Calibration intervals11.5Validation of measurement systems11.6Measurement system analysis (MSA)11.7Equipment safety, IEC 61010-111.8Documentation and certificates11.9Laboratory audits11.10Practical: calibration procedure for a transducer
12.1Definition of the measurement problem12.2Sensor selection12.3Conditioning design12.4Acquisition design12.5Uncertainty budget12.6System calibration12.7Experimental validation of the system12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python with NumPy and SciPy, COMSOL Multiphysics and LTspice, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Work is based on real procedures: sensor calibration with uncertainty calculation, design of signal conditioning chains and experimental characterisation of transducers. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: JCGM 100:2008 (GUM), JCGM 200:2012 (VIM), ISO/IEC 17025, IEC 60751, IEC 60584, IEC 61010-1, IEEE 1451, IEC 61298.
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
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python with NumPy and SciPy, COMSOL Multiphysics and LTspice, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run 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.
Related programmes
Master’s in Functional Safety in Electronics
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in functional safety in electronics (IEC 61508, ISO 13849, design and safety case). 12 modules covering hazard and risk analysis,…
Master’s in High-Speed PCB Design
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in high-speed PCB design (SI/PI, DDR, SerDes, stack-ups and current return). 12 modules covering high-speed signals, materials and stack-up, traces…
Master’s in Time-Sensitive Networking Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in Time-Sensitive Networking engineering, structured in 12 modules covering deterministic networks, time synchronisation, traffic scheduling, reliability and redundancy, network configuration,…
More in Electronics, Embedded Systems & Telecom
All Electronics, Embedded Systems & Telecom programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships