Diploma in Underwater Acoustics and Noise Reduction
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in underwater acoustics and noise reduction. 8 modules covering sound propagation in the sea, acoustic propagation models, ship radiated noise sources, underwater noise measurement (ISO 17208, IEC 60565), noise and vibration control, transducers and acoustic materials, and underwater noise and the environment, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Underwater Acoustics and Noise Reduction — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a established defence industry centred on companies such as Denel and Paramount Group, with capabilities in land systems, armoured vehicles and munitions. The sector supports engineering roles in systems integration, vehicle design and test and evaluation. Defence procurement and export controls are overseen by government bodies, and the industry works closely with the South African National Defence Force. Engineers in this field typically combine mechanical, electrical and systems skills.
Fees for South Africa: R 33 400 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies regulate or recognise defence and military engineering professionals?
Engineers in South Africa are registered through ECSA under the Engineering Profession Act, and defence programmes are guided by institutions such as the South African National Defence Force and Armscor, which set their own requirements. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by these bodies and your employer, so confirm with them first.
Would this qualification help me find work in South Africa's defence or land systems sector?
South Africa has a defence industry with state-linked entities and private contractors, and employers usually require security clearances, relevant experience and recognised qualifications. A private online programme may support your application but does not guarantee employment or clearance. Check requirements with prospective employers, as roles in this sector can be sensitive and tightly controlled.
Can I study alongside a job, and are there funding options?
The course is 100% online and taught in English, so you need strong English, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each with an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, so ask whether your employer would fund part of the training.
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
Understand the physical mechanisms of sound propagation in the ocean.
Apply propagation models such as Bellhop, KRAKEN and RAM.
Identify a ship's radiated noise sources and their spectral contribution.
Plan and process underwater noise measurements in accordance with ISO 17208.
Design vibration isolation and damping solutions on board.
Assess the environmental impact of underwater noise and propose mitigation measures.
Prepare a noise budget and a verification plan for a naval platform.
Who it's for
- Naval acoustic engineers working on ship and submarine signatures.
- Ship vibration specialists designing mounts, rafts and damping treatments.
- Acoustic signature analysts processing radiated noise data.
- Sea trial technicians running acoustic range measurements.
- Environmental underwater noise consultants for offshore and maritime projects.
- Ocean acoustics researchers working with propagation models.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter shipbuilding.
What you'll work with
- ISO 17208-1:2016 (measurement of radiated noise from ships in deep water)
- ISO 17208-2:2019 (determination of source levels from deep-water measurements)
- IEC 60565-1:2020 (hydrophone calibration)
- ISO 18405:2017 (underwater acoustics terminology)
- IMO MEPC.1/Circ.906 (guidelines for the reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping)
- Directive 2008/56/EC (EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive)
- ANSI/ASA S12.64-2009 (quantities and procedures for ship underwater noise measurement)
- MATLAB
- Acoustics Toolbox (Bellhop/KRAKEN)
- COMSOL Multiphysics
- PAMGuard
- Python with SciPy
8 modules
1.1Acoustic wave equation in fluids1.2Sound speed profile and the Mackenzie equation1.3Thermocline, SOFAR channel and shadow zones1.4Spherical and cylindrical spreading losses1.5Francois-Garrison chemical relaxation absorption1.6Reflection at the surface and the seabed1.7Ocean ambient noise and Wenz curves1.8Passive and active sonar equations1.9Levels in dB re 1 µPa and spectral density1.10Practical exercise: transmission loss from a CTD profile
2.1Ray tracing with the Bellhop model2.2Normal modes with the KRAKEN model2.3Parabolic equation and the RAM model2.4Choosing the model by frequency and bathymetry2.5Environmental inputs: bathymetry, sediments and profile2.6Environmental uncertainty in predictions2.7Modelling bottom reverberation2.8Validating models with field measurements2.9Acoustics Toolbox in MATLAB2.10Lab: simulation of shallow-water propagation
3.1Machinery noise and structure-borne transmission3.2Propeller cavitation and inception speed3.3Hydrodynamic flow and boundary layer noise3.4Pumps, auxiliary equipment and piping3.5Tonal and broadband components3.6Acoustic signature and its characterisation3.7Self-noise on hull-mounted sensors3.8Radiated noise measurement under ISO 172083.9Classification society silent notations3.10Case study: identifying tonals in a spectrum
4.1Hydrophones: types, sensitivity and directivity4.2Hydrophone calibration under IEC 605654.3Acquisition chains and analogue-to-digital conversion4.4FFT analysis and one-third-octave bands4.5Modulation and envelope analysis4.6Acoustic ranges and measurement geometry4.7Distance correction and the Lloyd's mirror effect4.8Estimating measurement uncertainty4.9Test reports and traceability4.10Practical exercise: processing hydrophone recordings in Python
5.1Single and double resilient mounts5.2Raft mounts for main machinery5.3Viscoelastic damping treatments5.4Exhaust and piping silencers5.5Low-cavitation propeller design5.6Air bubble injection systems5.7Active noise and vibration control5.8Blocking structural transmission paths5.9Degradation and maintenance of isolators5.10Workshop: selecting mounts for a diesel engine
6.1PZT piezoelectric ceramics6.2Tonpilz and flextensional transducers6.3Anechoic hull coatings6.4Acoustic elastomers and polymers6.5Acoustic windows and domes6.6Impedance tube characterisation6.7Reflection and transmission coefficients6.8Ageing under pressure and temperature6.9Simulation with COMSOL Acoustics6.10Lab: design of a multilayer coating
7.1Effects of noise on marine mammals7.2Descriptor 11 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive7.3IMO guidelines for reducing ship noise7.4NOAA acoustic exposure thresholds7.5Pile-driving and offshore activity noise7.6Basin-scale noise maps7.7Passive acoustic monitoring with PAMGuard7.8Mitigation during sea trials and exercises7.9Acoustic environmental impact assessment7.10Case study: mitigation plan for sea trials
8.1Definition of the study platform8.2Acoustic requirements and noise budget8.3Modelling of sources and transmission paths8.4Proposed reduction measures8.5Estimate of the resulting signature8.6Cost–benefit analysis of the solutions8.7Sea trial verification plan8.8Environmental considerations of the project8.9Report 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 you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, Acoustics Toolbox (Bellhop/KRAKEN), COMSOL Multiphysics, PAMGuard and Python with SciPy, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for radiated noise measurement on acoustic ranges, hydrophone calibration in tanks and passive acoustic monitoring. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 17208-1:2016, ISO 17208-2:2019, IEC 60565-1:2020, ISO 18405:2017, IMO MEPC.1/Circ.906, Directive 2008/56/EC, ANSI/ASA S12.64-2009.
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's 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 MATLAB, Acoustics Toolbox (Bellhop/KRAKEN), COMSOL Multiphysics, PAMGuard and Python with SciPy, 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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