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Diploma in Cabin and Environmental Control Systems (ECS)

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Cabin Systems and Environmental Control (ECS). 8 modules covering occupant comfort, air cycle refrigeration, air supply and control, cabin air quality, auxiliary cabin systems, thermal simulation and certification under CS 25.831, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma

Diploma in Cabin and Environmental Control Systems (ECS) — studying from Singapore

Fees for Singapore: S$2,560 (Singapore dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Questions from Singapore

What language are the programmes taught in?

All programmes are taught in English.

Are SEIUM qualifications official degrees in Singapore?

No. SEIUM qualifications are private qualifications awarded by SEIUM Institute and are not official state degrees. Learners should check with the relevant professional bodies in Singapore about how any qualification is treated for their specific purpose.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Define the physiological and comfort requirements of occupants.

02

Analyse air cycle refrigeration systems and their performance.

03

Design cabin air supply, mixing and control.

04

Assess air quality and filtration systems.

05

Size oxygen systems and auxiliary cabin systems.

06

Simulate thermal loads and air distribution with CFD.

07

Apply ECS certification requirements.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Environmental control systems engineers seeking a complete view of the ECS.
  • Cabin systems engineers at aircraft manufacturers and suppliers.
  • Aeronautical thermal engineers working on loads, cycles and CFD.
  • Systems certification engineers dealing with CS-25 cabin requirements.
  • ECS maintenance technicians looking to move into engineering roles.
  • Aircraft interiors engineers, including those at business aviation completion centres.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join aircraft manufacturers.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • CS-25 (EASA), CS 25.831 (cabin ventilation requirements)
  • ASHRAE 161 (air quality within commercial aircraft)
  • SAE ARP85F (air conditioning systems for subsonic aircraft)
  • SAE AIR1168 (aerospace applied thermodynamics manual)
  • ASHRAE 55 (thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy)
  • ISO 7730 (thermal comfort, PMV and PPD)
  • RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
  • SAE AS8010 (aviator's breathing oxygen purity)
  • Simcenter Amesim
  • Ansys Fluent
  • Dymola
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • Simcenter Flomaster
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Physiological requirements of occupants
  2. 1.2Hypoxia and cabin altitude
  3. 1.3Air quality and contaminants
  4. 1.4Thermal comfort and humidity
  5. 1.5Cabin air distribution
  6. 1.6Cabin systems in commercial aircraft
  7. 1.7Flight deck versus passenger cabin
  8. 1.8Cabin noise and vibration
  9. 1.9Historical references of the ECS
  10. 1.10Case study: comfort requirements for a regional aircraft
  1. 2.1Simple air cycle
  2. 2.2Bootstrap cycle
  3. 2.3Three- and four-wheel cycles
  4. 2.4High-pressure water separation
  5. 2.5Air conditioning packs
  6. 2.6Air cycle machine
  7. 2.7RAM heat exchangers
  8. 2.8Cycle performance and COP
  9. 2.9Vapour cycles in aviation
  10. 2.10Lab: thermodynamic simulation of a bootstrap cycle
  1. 3.1Engine and APU bleed air
  2. 3.2Pressure and temperature regulation
  3. 3.3Flow control valves
  4. 3.4The 787 bleedless system
  5. 3.5Mixing with recirculated air
  6. 3.6Zone control and trim air
  7. 3.7Digital ECS control
  8. 3.8Degraded modes
  9. 3.9Hot air leak detection
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: zone temperature control logic
  1. 4.1HEPA filters and recirculation
  2. 4.2Ozone and catalytic converters
  3. 4.3Fume and oil events
  4. 4.4Carbon dioxide and air renewal
  5. 4.5Pathogen control
  6. 4.6Air quality sensors
  7. 4.7Regulations on contaminants
  8. 4.8Studies on cabin air quality
  9. 4.9Filter maintenance
  10. 4.10Case study: investigation of a cabin fume event
  1. 5.1Crew and passenger oxygen
  2. 5.2Chemical oxygen generators
  3. 5.3OBOGS systems
  4. 5.4Avionics equipment ventilation
  5. 5.5Cargo hold heating
  6. 5.6Galleys and food chilling
  7. 5.7Potable water and waste
  8. 5.8Cabin lighting
  9. 5.9Fire detection and suppression
  10. 5.10Workshop: sizing emergency oxygen
  1. 6.1Thermal load modelling
  2. 6.2CFD of cabin air distribution
  3. 6.3PMV and PPD comfort models
  4. 6.4Transient simulation
  5. 6.5System integration in Amesim or Modelica
  6. 6.6Energy consumption optimisation
  7. 6.7Duct design
  8. 6.8Cabin mock-up tests
  9. 6.9Model–test correlation
  10. 6.10Lab: CFD of a cabin section
  1. 7.1CS 25.831 to 25.833 requirements
  2. 7.2Oxygen requirements CS 25.1441 to 25.1453
  3. 7.3ECS safety analysis
  4. 7.4Component qualification
  5. 7.5Ground and flight tests
  6. 7.6Minimum equipment list
  7. 7.7Diagnosis and maintenance
  8. 7.8Cabin modifications and STCs
  9. 7.9Continuing airworthiness
  10. 7.10Practical exercise: ECS compliance matrix
  1. 8.1Definition of the aircraft and occupancy
  2. 8.2Thermal load calculation
  3. 8.3Refrigeration cycle selection
  4. 8.4Air distribution system
  5. 8.5Air quality and filtration
  6. 8.6Oxygen systems
  7. 8.7Certification plan
  8. 8.8Degraded mode analysis
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

A 100% online programme on the SEIUM Institute 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 you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. You work with Simcenter Amesim, Ansys Fluent, Dymola, MATLAB/Simulink and Simcenter Flomaster, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: thermodynamic simulation of an air conditioning pack, analysis of cabin air quality and distribution, and sizing of emergency oxygen systems. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.

Standards covered: CS-25 (EASA) / CS 25.831, ASHRAE 161, SAE ARP85F, SAE AIR1168, ASHRAE 55, ISO 7730, RTCA DO-160G, SAE AS8010.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of CS 25.831, ASHRAE 161 and SAE ARP85F applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Simcenter Amesim, Ansys Fluent, Dymola, MATLAB/Simulink and Simcenter Flomaster, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:an ECS and cabin project for a defined aircraft, from thermal loads to the certification plan, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Bootstrap cycle simulation
Simulate the thermodynamics of a bootstrap air cycle pack.
Zone temperature control
Develop the control logic for zone temperature and trim air.
Emergency oxygen sizing
Size the emergency oxygen system for crew and passengers.
Cabin CFD and compliance
Run a CFD study of a cabin section and build the ECS compliance matrix.
Final project
Design the ECS and cabin systems of a defined aircraft, with degraded modes and certification plan, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Environmental control systems engineerCabin systems engineerAeronautical thermal engineerSystems certification engineerECS maintenance technicianAircraft interiors engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • 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.

FAQ

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 Amesim, Ansys Fluent, Dymola, MATLAB/Simulink and Simcenter Flomaster, 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 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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