Postgraduate Diploma in Dike, Breakwater and Coastal Dynamics Design
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in the design of breakwaters and coastal dynamics, structured in 8 modules covering waves and maritime climate, wave propagation, rubble-mound and vertical breakwaters, geotechnics and construction, coastal dynamics, and physical and numerical modelling, 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
Characterise the mean and extreme maritime climate of a site.
Analyse wave propagation and transformation up to the structure.
Size rubble-mound breakwaters according to ROM 1.0-09.
Design vertical and composite breakwaters against wave actions.
Assess the geotechnical stability and construction process of the breakwater.
Estimate sediment transport and shoreline evolution.
Combine physical and numerical modelling in a breakwater design project.
Who it's for
- Port and coastal engineers.
- Maritime works engineers.
- Wave modellers.
- Marine geotechnical engineers.
- Site managers on breakwater construction.
- Coastal dynamics consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join a port authority.
What you'll work with
- ROM 1.0-09 (recommendations for the design of breakwaters)
- ROM 0.0-01 (general procedure and design bases for maritime works)
- EurOtop (wave overtopping manual)
- The Rock Manual (CIRIA C683) (use of rock in hydraulic engineering)
- ROM 0.5-05 (geotechnical recommendations for maritime works)
- Eurocode 7 (UNE-EN 1997) (geotechnical design)
- Coastal Engineering Manual (USACE) (coastal engineering reference)
- SWAN
- MIKE 21
- Delft3D
- SMC (Coastal Modelling System)
- PLAXIS
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Linear wave theory1.2Irregular waves and JONSWAP spectra1.3Hs, Tp and direction parameters1.4Mean and extreme wave regimes1.5Extreme value analysis: POT and GEV1.6Reanalysis and buoy databases1.7Sea level: astronomical tide and storm surge1.8Sea-level rise and climate change1.9ROM 0.0 and ROM 1.0 recommendations1.10Practical exercise: extreme wave regime with buoy data
2.1Shoaling and refraction2.2Diffraction at breakwater heads and harbour entrances2.3Wave breaking and criteria2.4Reflection from structures2.5Spectral models: SWAN2.6Boussinesq models2.7Wave agitation in basins2.8Harbour resonance and long waves2.9Wave propagation in shallow water2.10Workshop: wave propagation with SWAN
3.1Types of rubble-mound breakwaters3.2Armour layer stability: Hudson and Van der Meer3.3Artificial armour units: cubes, tetrapods and Xbloc3.4Underlayers and core3.5Overtopping: EurOtop3.6Crown walls and their stability3.7Breakwater toe and toe protection3.8Breakwater heads3.9Damage and damage criteria3.10Practical exercise: sizing the main armour layer of a breakwater
4.1Caisson breakwaters4.2Wave pressures: Goda method4.3Impacts and impulsive pressures4.4Stability against sliding and overturning4.5Foundation and rubble bedding4.6Composite and berm breakwaters4.7Floating breakwaters4.8Anti-reflective caissons4.9Caisson fabrication and placement4.10Case study: verification of a caisson using Goda
5.1Marine geotechnical characterisation5.2Bearing capacity of rubble beddings5.3Settlement and consolidation5.4Global stability and liquefaction5.5Quarries and rock production5.6Marine construction procedures5.7Plant: split-hopper barges, cranes and pontoons5.8Quality control on site5.9Breakwater maintenance and repair5.10Workshop: construction plan for a rubble-mound breakwater
6.1Longshore sediment transport6.2CERC and Kamphuis formulae6.3Cross-shore transport and equilibrium profiles6.4Beach morphology6.5Effects of breakwaters on the coast6.6Downdrift erosion and accretion6.7Shoreline models6.8Morphodynamic models: XBeach and Delft3D6.9Sediment management and bypassing6.10Case study: impact of a breakwater on the shoreline
7.1Physical model testing: Froude similarity7.2Wave flumes and basins7.32D and 3D stability tests7.4Measurement of overtopping and pressures7.5CFD models: OpenFOAM and IH2VOF7.6Validation and calibration7.7Scale effects7.8Uncertainty analysis7.9Integrating results into design7.10Laboratory: interpretation of stability tests
8.1Design maritime climate8.2Wave propagation8.3Selection of breakwater type8.4Structural sizing8.5Geotechnical verification8.6Overtopping and agitation inside the harbour8.7Impact on coastal dynamics8.8Construction procedure and budget8.9Report 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 each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SWAN, MIKE 21, Delft3D, SMC (Coastal Modelling System) and PLAXIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: physical model testing in a wave flume, numerical simulation of wave propagation and wave measurement campaigns with buoys. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ROM 1.0-09; ROM 0.0-01; EurOtop; The Rock Manual (CIRIA C683); ROM 0.5-05; Eurocode 7 (UNE-EN 1997); Coastal Engineering Manual (USACE).
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 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.
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 SWAN, MIKE 21, Delft3D, SMC (Coastal Modelling System) and PLAXIS, 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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