Postgraduate Diploma in Degradation and 2R Thermal Windows
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Degradation and 2R Thermal Windows. 8 modules covering FIM Grand Prix World Championship Regulations, FIM MotoE World Championship Regulations and FLIR Thermal Studio. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Degradation and 2R Thermal Windows — studying from South Africa
Two-wheeler transport is significant in South Africa, both for commuting and for delivery services, and the motorcycle and scooter market has grown steadily. Local assembly and distribution of motorcycles and scooters are supported by importers and manufacturers, and the sector interacts with road safety regulation and licensing. Engineers working on two-wheelers focus on chassis design, braking systems, emissions and rider safety. Growing interest in electric scooters and light mobility is also shaping demand.
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
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body, so they are not official state degrees. Professional engineering registration runs through ECSA, and motorcycle-related standards and testing involve bodies such as the SABS. Whether a SEIUM qualification is recognised is for employers or the relevant body to decide, so check before enrolling.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in the two-wheeler sector?
Motorcycle manufacturers, importers, dealers and component suppliers may value engineering depth in vehicle dynamics, powertrains or design. A private qualification can add to your profile, but it does not carry official status, so its impact depends on employer preference and your existing experience. Speak to potential employers to understand their view.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from South Africa without a student visa. Master's programmes require 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments and employer sponsorship is possible. Ask SEIUM about time-zone expectations and weekly workload 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
Explain the mechanisms of heat generation and dissipation in tyres.
Measure track temperatures using infrared sensors and thermography.
Diagnose degradation mechanisms from used tyres.
Determine the working thermal windows of steel and carbon brakes.
Build thermal and degradation models calibrated with data.
Apply thermal management strategies during a session.
Manage the temperature of batteries and motors in electric competition motorcycles.
Who it's for
- Tyre engineer looking to specialise in Degradation and 2R Thermal Windows.
- Performance engineer looking to specialise in Degradation and 2R Thermal Windows.
- Competition brake engineer looking to specialise in Degradation and 2R Thermal Windows.
- Thermal systems engineer looking to specialise in Degradation and 2R Thermal Windows.
- Track data analyst looking to specialise in Degradation and 2R Thermal Windows.
- Tyre supplier technician looking to specialise in Degradation and 2R Thermal Windows.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter competition.
What you'll work with
- FIM Grand Prix World Championship Regulations
- FIM MotoE World Championship Regulations
- Reglamento UNECE n.º 75
- ISO 18434-1:2008
- Reglamento UNECE n.º 136
- ISO 8855:2011
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Heat generation through hysteresis and friction1.2Conduction, convection and radiation in the tread1.3Surface temperature versus carcass temperature1.4Glass transition of the compound1.5Thermal window and grip curve1.6Influence of pressure on temperature1.7Heating in the shoulder and centre of the tread1.8Cooling on straights and in rain1.9Effect of electric tyre warmers1.10Practical: simplified thermal balance of a tyre
2.1Contact and probe pyrometers2.2Multi-channel infrared sensors in the wheel2.3Thermal imaging cameras in the garage2.4TPMS sensors with gas temperature2.5Location and calibration of IR sensors2.6Emissivity and measurement errors2.7Synchronisation with lap data2.8Thermal maps of the tread surface2.9Measurement protocols after the session2.10Laboratory: tyre thermography after a run
3.1Thermal degradation of the compound3.2Abrasive and fatigue wear3.3Graining due to low temperature3.4Blistering due to overheating3.5Loss of carcass stiffness3.6Asymmetric degradation depending on the circuit3.7Performance curves versus laps3.8Ageing through thermal cycling3.9Visual inspection and diagnosis3.10Workshop: diagnosing used tyres from photographs
4.1Steel and carbon discs4.2Working window of the carbon disc4.3Friction coefficient and temperature4.4Ducts and cooling covers4.5Pad fade and glazing4.6Disc temperature measurement4.7Choosing discs according to the circuit4.8Wear of pads and discs4.9Adjusting disc diameters4.10Case study: selecting discs for a heavy-braking circuit
5.1Lumped-parameter models5.2Multi-node thermal models5.3Parameter identification from data5.4Empirical models of degradation per lap5.5Coupling between temperature and grip5.6Simulation of long stints5.7Sensitivity to ambient temperature5.8Validation with track data5.9Use in a lap simulator5.10Practical: three-node thermal model in Python
6.1Cold and hot pressures6.2Minimum pressure rules6.3Warming up on the out-lap6.4Management using power maps6.5Driving style and temperature6.6Setup adjustments for temperature6.7Effect of wind, sun and cloud cover6.8Thermal instructions for the rider6.9Decisions in changing conditions6.10Case study: adjusting pressures on a cold track surface
7.1Thermal window of lithium-ion cells7.2Degradation through temperature and cycling7.3Battery cooling in electric motorcycles7.4Motor and inverter temperature7.5Thermal derating and strategies7.6Thermal management in electric competition7.7Thermal monitoring via the BMS7.8Thermal safety and thermal runaway7.9MotoE technical regulations7.10Case study: thermal strategy in an electric race
8.1Selection of component and circuit8.2Thermal instrumentation plan8.3Data acquisition on track8.4Identification of the operating window8.5Thermal and degradation model8.6Validation with data8.7Setup recommendations8.8Thermal management report8.9Dissertation 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 FLIR Thermal Studio, MoTeC i2 Pro, Python (SciPy), MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real tyre and brake thermography procedures from track sessions, identification of thermal models with real data, and degradation analysis over long stints. Assessment is continuous per 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 the mechanisms of heat generation and dissipation in tyres.
Measure track temperatures using infrared sensors and thermography.
Diagnose degradation mechanisms from used tyres.
Determine the working thermal windows of steel and carbon brakes.
Build thermal and degradation models calibrated with data.
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 regulatory texts.
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.
The programme uses FLIR Thermal Studio, MoTeC i2 Pro, Python (SciPy) and MATLAB/Simulink. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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