Diploma in Underwater Acoustic Propagation Models
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in underwater acoustic propagation models. 8 modules covering the ocean as an acoustic medium, the wave equation, ray theory, normal modes, parabolic equation and wavenumber methods, bottom and surface interaction, and applications and validation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Underwater Acoustic Propagation Models — studying from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom maintains a substantial defence industry, with prime contractors such as BAE Systems and Babcock, and a wide supply chain across the Midlands, the North West, Bristol and Scotland. Land systems, armoured vehicles, munitions and military engineering programmes provide long-term employment for engineers in design, integration, test and sustainment. The Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment and Support and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory oversee procurement and research. Security clearance requirements shape recruitment, and professional standards are maintained through UK defence engineering frameworks.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £1,250 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies and regulators are relevant to defence and military land systems engineering?
In the UK, the Ministry of Defence sets its own engineering standards and the Engineering Council regulates professional registration. Professional bodies such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Royal Engineers' professional structures are relevant. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so recognition for security-cleared or MOD roles is decided by the employer and the relevant authority.
Will a private qualification help with UK defence industry careers?
UK defence employers, including primes and suppliers, often prioritise security clearance eligibility, relevant experience and formal qualifications recognised by the MOD or industry bodies. A private qualification may support your profile but is unlikely to replace these requirements. Ask prospective employers how they would assess it before enrolling.
Is it practical to study this online while working in the UK, and what about language and funding?
Online study means you can continue working in the UK, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Teaching is in English, so good technical English is essential. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers offer training sponsorship, though policies vary. Each programme has a fixed number of hours and an assigned technical tutor. Confirm the workload and costs before enrolling.
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 ocean as an acoustic propagation medium.
Apply the wave equation and the sonar equation.
Use ray models to predict propagation.
Calculate propagation with normal modes and the parabolic equation.
Model interaction with the seabed and surface, and reverberation.
Apply propagation models to environmental and engineering problems.
Validate acoustic predictions with experimental data.
Who it's for
- Underwater acoustics engineers.
- Acoustic oceanographers.
- Acoustic modelling analysts.
- Marine acoustic impact consultants.
- Ocean acoustics researchers.
- Sonar systems engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 18405:2017 (underwater acoustics terminology)
- ISO 17208-1:2016 (measurement of underwater sound from ships)
- Directive 2008/56/EC (Marine Strategy Framework Directive)
- Decision (EU) 2017/848 (criteria for good environmental status)
- ANSI/ASA S12.64 (underwater noise from ships)
- ISO 18406:2017 (underwater sound from percussive pile driving)
- IHO S-44 (standards for hydrographic surveys)
- Bellhop
- KRAKEN
- RAM
- MATLAB
- Python (arlpy)
8 modules
1.1Speed of sound and the Mackenzie equation1.2Sound speed profiles and the thermocline1.3The SOFAR channel1.4Surface layer and surface duct1.5Bathymetry and sediments1.6Frequency-dependent absorption1.7Ambient noise and Wenz curves1.8Oceanographic variability1.9World Ocean Atlas databases1.10Case study: sound speed profile from a CTD cast
2.1Helmholtz equation2.2Point and line sources2.3Boundary conditions2.4Transmission loss2.5Surface and bottom reflection2.6Rayleigh reflection coefficient2.7Scattering from rough surfaces2.8Decibel scale and reference values2.9The sonar equation2.10Workshop: spherical and cylindrical spreading loss
3.1Snell's law in stratified media3.2Ray tracing3.3Caustics and shadow zones3.4Convergence zones3.5Gaussian beams3.6The Bellhop model3.7Limitations at low frequency3.8Propagation in shallow water3.9Interpreting ray diagrams3.10Lab: ray tracing with Bellhop
4.1Normal mode theory4.2Ocean waveguides4.3Modal dispersion4.4The KRAKEN model4.5Coupled modes4.6Modal attenuation4.7Propagation on the continental shelf4.8Cut-off frequencies4.9Comparison with ray theory4.10Exercise: modal calculation with KRAKEN
5.1Parabolic approximation5.2The RAM model5.3Range-dependent propagation5.4Wavenumber integration with OASES5.5Finite element methods5.6Elastic seabeds5.7Accuracy versus computational cost5.8Model selection criteria5.9ASA benchmark problems5.10Workshop: comparison between RAM and Bellhop
6.1Seabed geoacoustics6.2Sediment models6.3Interface roughness6.4Surface scattering6.5Bubbles and the mixed layer6.6Volume reverberation6.7Deep scattering layer6.8Geoacoustic inversion6.9Experimental measurement of reverberation6.10Case study: simplified geoacoustic inversion
7.1Sonar range prediction7.2Underwater acoustic communications7.3Underwater noise in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive7.4Impact on marine mammals7.5Ocean acoustic tomography7.6Hydrographic applications7.7Measurement campaigns at sea7.8Uncertainty of predictions7.9Model validation with real data7.10Lab: noise map of a port
8.1Selection of the study area8.2Oceanographic characterisation8.3Geoacoustic model of the seabed8.4Selection of the propagation model8.5Simulations and results8.6Sensitivity analysis8.7Validation with data8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on SEIUM's 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 Bellhop, KRAKEN, RAM, MATLAB and Python (arlpy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: transmission loss predictions in shallow water, underwater noise maps of port areas and geoacoustic inversion with survey data. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 18405:2017, ISO 17208-1:2016, Directive 2008/56/EC (Marine Strategy Framework Directive), Decision (EU) 2017/848, ANSI/ASA S12.64, ISO 18406:2017 and IHO S-44.
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. A university degree is not required.
- 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 Bellhop, KRAKEN, RAM, MATLAB and Python (arlpy), 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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