Postgraduate Diploma in Valving and Dyno: From the Bench to the Track
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Valving and Dyno: From the Bench to the Track. 8 modules covering ISO 8608, ISO 2631-1 and MoTeC i2 Pro. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Valving and Dyno: From the Bench to the Track — studying from the United States
Automotive engineering in the United States is concentrated in Michigan's Detroit region, with major hubs in Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee and California. Large manufacturers and suppliers, including General Motors, Ford, Stellantis and Tesla, employ engineers across powertrain, chassis, body and vehicle integration. Motorsport, centered in North Carolina and the Indianapolis area, offers specialized opportunities in performance engineering and race vehicle development. Strong regulatory frameworks shape design requirements, making compliance knowledge a valuable asset for engineers in the sector.
Fees for the United States: US$2,000 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Which US bodies relate to automotive engineering, and how is it regulated?
Automotive engineering in the US is supported by SAE International, which publishes widely used standards, and the Society of Automotive Engineers’ professional community. Vehicle safety is regulated federally by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and emissions by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Engineering licensure, where it applies, is handled by state boards. SEIUM's private qualifications are not official degrees, so their recognition depends on employers or the relevant body.
How do US automotive and motorsport employers view private online engineering courses?
US automakers, suppliers and motorsport teams generally hire on the basis of accredited degrees, verified experience and demonstrable技术 skills. A private online qualification may support a career move or a specialist skill set, but its weight is decided by each hiring manager. Practical projects and a strong portfolio often matter as much as the credential itself, so treat it as one input among several.
Is a US-based student able to manage a programme's workload alongside a job?
Yes, the programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so there is no travel or visa requirement. The workload is substantial: 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 hours for a postgraduate diploma, and 300 hours for a specialist course. Each student has an assigned technical tutor for support. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible, so check with your employer about training support.
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 the operating dynamics of the shock absorber.
Design valving configurations for specific objectives.
Carry out reliable tests on a dynamometer bench.
Analyse shock absorber data obtained on track.
Transfer bench results to circuit set-ups.
Simulate the effect of damping on the vehicle.
Manage the maintenance and reliability of shock absorbers.
Who it's for
- Suspension engineer looking to specialise in Valving and Dyno: From the Bench to the Track.
- Shock absorber technician looking to specialise in Valving and Dyno: From the Bench to the Track.
- Vehicle dynamics engineer looking to specialise in Valving and Dyno: From the Bench to the Track.
- Track engineer looking to specialise in Valving and Dyno: From the Bench to the Track.
- Test engineer looking to specialise in Valving and Dyno: From the Bench to the Track.
- Chassis data analyst looking to specialise in Valving and Dyno: From the Bench to the Track.
- Graduates in engineering or science looking to enter motorsport.
What you'll work with
- ISO 8608
- ISO 2631-1
- ISO 8855
- SAE J670
- FIA International Sporting Code
- FIA Appendix J
- ISO/IEC 17025
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Function of the shock absorber in controlling sprung mass1.2Force versus velocity curves1.3Low- and high-speed zones1.4Critical damping ratio1.5Monotube and twin-tube shock absorbers1.6Gas pressurisation and cavitation1.7Hysteresis and compressibility effects1.8Mounting stiffness and transmission1.9Through-rod and three-way shock absorbers1.10Case study: reading the curves of a commercial shock absorber
2.1Main piston and disc stack2.2Preload and pivot diameter2.3Bypass and bleed orifices2.4Blow-off and digressive valves2.5Compression and rebound adjustments2.6Modelling disc bending2.7Influence of oil viscosity2.8Temperature and performance drift2.9Assembly tolerances and repeatability2.10Workshop: configuring a disc stack
3.1Types of dyno: crank and servo-hydraulic3.2Sinusoidal and triangular test profiles3.3Measurement of force, displacement and temperature3.4Warm-up and stabilisation3.5Friction and gas tests3.6Curve processing and filtering3.7Repeatability between benches3.8Bench maintenance and calibration3.9Documentation of results3.10Laboratory: testing a shock absorber on the dyno
4.1Linear suspension potentiometers4.2Shock absorber velocity histograms4.3Chassis frequency analysis4.4Analysis of bumps, kerbs and braking zones4.5Comparison of set-ups4.6Aerodynamic platform metrics4.7Correlation with driver feedback4.8Differences between circuits4.9Data analysis tools4.10Practice: velocity histogram in MoTeC
5.1Transferring curves to track set-ups5.2Installation ratios and motion ratio5.3Adjustment clicks and their actual effect5.4Strategies for kerbs and bumps5.5Aero platform trade-offs5.6Rebound adjustment and pitch control5.7Behaviour in the wet5.8Validation with the driver5.9Decision-making in short sessions5.10Case study: set-up for a bumpy circuit
6.1Shock absorber models in simulation6.2Quarter-car models6.3Full-vehicle models6.4Simulation with road profiles6.5Optimisation of target curves6.6Seven-post rig simulation6.7Temperature sensitivity6.8Validation with data6.9Comparison of commercial tools6.10Practice: curve optimisation with a quarter-car model
7.1Service intervals7.2Wear of seals and bushes7.3Oil degradation7.4Bleeding and filling7.5Quality control after rebuild7.6Record keeping7.7Common faults and diagnosis7.8Spare parts stock management7.9Regulations on shock absorbers7.10Case study: diagnosing a gas leak
8.1Definition of dynamic objectives8.2Track data analysis8.3Valving design8.4Dyno testing8.5Vehicle simulation8.6Set-up proposal8.7Track validation plan8.8Analysis of results8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned 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 MoTeC i2 Pro, Roehrig Engineering Shock Software, MATLAB/Simulink, Adams Car, OptimumDynamics, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real shock absorber dynamometer bench procedures, track velocity histogram analysis and set-up validation in private testing. Assessment is continuous across each module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the operating dynamics of the shock absorber.
Design valving configurations for specific objectives.
Carry out reliable tests on a dynamometer bench.
Analyse shock absorber data obtained on track.
Transfer bench results to circuit set-ups.
Where this takes you
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's software.
- Sufficient command of 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 totals 800 hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme works with MoTeC i2 Pro, Roehrig Engineering Shock Software, MATLAB/Simulink, Adams Car and OptimumDynamics. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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