Postgraduate Diploma in Thermal Comfort Maps and Cabin HVAC
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Thermal Comfort Maps and Cabin HVAC. 8 modules covering ISO 14505-2 (vehicle thermal environment, equivalent temperature), ISO 7730 (thermal comfort, PMV and PPD) and ANSYS Fluent. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
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
Explain human thermophysiology and the thermal balance.
Calculate thermal comfort indices in non-uniform environments.
Describe the architecture of cabin air-conditioning systems.
Measure the cabin thermal environment using standardised instrumentation.
Simulate cabin airflow and temperature using CFD.
Develop thermal comfort maps by occupant zone.
Optimise HVAC control strategy for comfort and efficiency.
Who it's for
- Vehicle climate control engineer who wants to specialise in Thermal Comfort Maps and Cabin HVAC.
- CFD simulation engineer who wants to specialise in Thermal Comfort Maps and Cabin HVAC.
- Thermal comfort engineer who wants to specialise in Thermal Comfort Maps and Cabin HVAC.
- Climatic testing technician who wants to specialise in Thermal Comfort Maps and Cabin HVAC.
- HVAC control engineer who wants to specialise in Thermal Comfort Maps and Cabin HVAC.
- Electric vehicle thermal management engineer who wants to specialise in Thermal Comfort Maps and Cabin HVAC.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 14505-2 (vehicle thermal environment, equivalent temperature)
- ISO 7730 (thermal comfort, PMV and PPD)
- ASHRAE 55
- ISO 7726 (instruments for measuring the thermal environment)
- ISO 9920 (thermal insulation of clothing)
- Directive 2006/40/EC (air-conditioning systems in vehicles)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Thermal balance of the human body1.2Thermoregulation: vasomotion and sweating1.3Metabolic rate and activity1.4Clothing insulation in clo1.5Skin and core temperature1.6Local and overall thermal sensation1.7Radiant asymmetries and air draughts1.8Individual differences in comfort1.9Heat and cold stress1.10Case study: thermal balance of a driver in summer
2.1Fanger's PMV-PPD model2.2ISO 7730 standard and categories2.3ASHRAE 55 and the adaptive model2.4Equivalent temperature ISO 145052.5Berkeley multi-segment model2.6Fiala thermoregulation model2.7Indices for non-uniform environments2.8Thermal comfort in vehicles versus buildings2.9Limitations of the indices2.10Practical: calculating PMV and PPD with the CBE tool
3.1Thermal loads: solar, engine and occupants3.2Refrigeration cycle and refrigerants R1234yf and R7443.3Heat pumps in electric vehicles3.4Air distribution and diffusers3.5Recirculation and air renewal3.6Radiant heating and heated surfaces3.7Heated and ventilated seats3.8Automatic climate control3.9HVAC in aircraft and trains3.10Workshop: calculating the thermal load of a passenger car cabin
4.1Thermal manikins and their instrumentation4.2Temperature, humidity and velocity sensors4.3Radiometers and mean radiant temperature4.4Climatic chamber testing4.5Pull-down and warm-up tests4.6Road and wind tunnel testing4.7SAE J2234 and ISO 14505-2 standards4.8Equivalent temperature maps4.9Test panels and subjective assessment4.10Laboratory: pull-down test with a thermal manikin
5.1Geometric modelling of the cabin5.2Meshing and turbulence models5.3Diffuser boundary conditions5.4Solar radiation in CFD5.5CFD coupling with a thermophysiological model5.6Transient warm-up simulation5.7Validation with experimental data5.8Reduced-order models for control5.9Software: Star-CCM+, Fluent and TAITherm5.10Practical: CFD simulation of front diffuser airflow
6.1Building comfort maps by body segment6.2Visualising local and global PMV6.3Comparing climate control strategies6.4Comfort in rear seats6.5Influence of glazing and radiation6.6Comfort and energy consumption in electric vehicles6.7Zonal and personalised climate control6.8Indoor air quality: CO2 and particulates6.9Fogging and visibility6.10Case study: comfort map of an urban bus
7.1Comfort-based control strategies7.2Predictive climate control7.3Pre-conditioning while the vehicle is charging7.4Multi-objective comfort-energy optimisation7.5Personalisation with machine learning7.6Infrared occupant sensors7.7Climate control user interface7.8Impact on electric vehicle range7.9Homologation standards and the WLTP cycle7.10Practical: comparing control strategies in simulation
8.1Vehicle definition and scenarios8.2Thermal load calculation8.3CFD model of the cabin8.4Coupling with the comfort model8.5Development of the comfort map8.6HVAC improvement proposals8.7Energy assessment of alternatives8.8Experimental validation plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ANSYS Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, TAITherm, MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real vehicle climatic chamber procedures, thermal manikins and on-road cabin measurements. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain human thermophysiology and the thermal balance.
Calculate thermal comfort indices in non-uniform environments.
Describe the architecture of cabin air-conditioning systems.
Measure the cabin thermal environment using standardised instrumentation.
Simulate cabin airflow and temperature using CFD.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with ANSYS Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, TAITherm, MATLAB/Simulink. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor will indicate the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrative project. It is SEIUM's own training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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