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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Diploma in Critical Software Development and Verification (DO-178C)

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in safety-critical software development and verification (DO-178C): 8 modules covering the airborne software life cycle, planning and standards, requirements and design, coding and integration, verification and testing, supplements and tool qualification, and quality, configuration and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.

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

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the software life cycle according to DO-178C.

02

Prepare certification plans and development standards.

03

Develop traceable high-level and low-level requirements.

04

Apply coding rules and static analysis.

05

Design requirements-based tests and measure structural coverage.

06

Apply the DO-330 to DO-333 supplements.

07

Prepare the evidence for the stages of involvement of the authority.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Embedded avionics software engineers.
  • Software verification engineers.
  • Software quality managers.
  • Certification engineers.
  • Tool engineers working on qualified development chains.
  • Formal methods specialists.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter avionics.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • RTCA DO-178C (software considerations in airborne systems certification)
  • RTCA DO-330 (software tool qualification)
  • AMC 20-115D (EASA acceptable means of compliance for airborne software)
  • RTCA DO-331 (model-based development supplement)
  • RTCA DO-332 (object-oriented technology supplement)
  • RTCA DO-333 (formal methods supplement)
  • RTCA DO-248C (supporting information for DO-178C and DO-278A)
  • SAE ARP4754B (development of civil aircraft and systems)
  • LDRA Testbed
  • VectorCAST
  • Polyspace
  • SCADE Suite
  • Rapita RVS
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Context of software certification
  2. 1.2Software levels A to E
  3. 1.3Objectives in the Annex A tables
  4. 1.4Planning, development and integral processes
  5. 1.5Independence in verification
  6. 1.6Relationship with ARP4754B
  7. 1.7Stages of involvement of the authority
  8. 1.8Transition criteria
  9. 1.9Life-cycle data
  10. 1.10Workshop: identifying objectives by level
  1. 2.1Plan for Software Aspects of Certification (PSAC)
  2. 2.2SDP, SVP, SCMP and SQAP plans
  3. 2.3Requirements standards
  4. 2.4Design standards
  5. 2.5MISRA C coding rules
  6. 2.6Selecting environments and tools
  7. 2.7Previously developed software
  8. 2.8Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software
  9. 2.9Planning reviews
  10. 2.10Practical: writing a PSAC
  1. 3.1High-level requirements
  2. 3.2Low-level requirements
  3. 3.3Derived requirements and feedback to safety
  4. 3.4Software architecture
  5. 3.5Partitioning and protection
  6. 3.6Bidirectional traceability
  7. 3.7Requirements reviews and analyses
  8. 3.8Defensive design
  9. 3.9Managing requirement changes
  10. 3.10Workshop: requirements traceability matrix
  1. 4.1C and Ada in avionics
  2. 4.2Static code analysis
  3. 4.3Source-to-object code correspondence
  4. 4.4Compilers and compiler options
  5. 4.5Software-hardware integration
  6. 4.6Stack and WCET analysis
  7. 4.7Dead code and deactivated code
  8. 4.8Code reviews
  9. 4.9Source code configuration
  10. 4.10Lab: static analysis with Polyspace
  1. 5.1Requirements-based testing
  2. 5.2Normal and robustness cases
  3. 5.3Testing in the target environment
  4. 5.4Requirements coverage
  5. 5.5Statement and decision coverage
  6. 5.6MC/DC at level A
  7. 5.7Data coupling and control coupling
  8. 5.8Object code verification
  9. 5.9Verification reports
  10. 5.10Practical: calculating MC/DC coverage
  1. 6.1Tool qualification under DO-330
  2. 6.2Levels TQL-1 to TQL-5
  3. 6.3Model-based development under DO-331
  4. 6.4Object-oriented technology under DO-332
  5. 6.5Formal methods under DO-333
  6. 6.6Automatic code generation
  7. 6.7Simulation as a means of verification
  8. 6.8Formal proof of properties
  9. 6.9Certification credit
  10. 6.10Case study: qualifying a code generator
  1. 7.1Software quality assurance
  2. 7.2Conformity audits
  3. 7.3Baselines and configuration management
  4. 7.4Problem reports and change control
  5. 7.5Software Accomplishment Summary (SAS)
  6. 7.6SECI and SCI indexes
  7. 7.7Preparing for SOI reviews
  8. 7.8Common audit findings
  9. 7.9In-service software modifications
  10. 7.10Case study: preparing for a SOI#3 review
  1. 8.1Avionics function and software level
  2. 8.2Certification plan
  3. 8.3Requirements and traceability
  4. 8.4Design and implementation
  5. 8.5Test plan and test cases
  6. 8.6Coverage analysis
  7. 8.7Objectives compliance matrix
  8. 8.8Conclusions
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 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 the programme fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is LDRA Testbed, VectorCAST, Polyspace, SCADE Suite and Rapita RVS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied: MC/DC structural coverage analysis, reviews of plans and requirements traceability, and simulated audits of stages of involvement. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: RTCA DO-178C, RTCA DO-330, AMC 20-115D, RTCA DO-331, RTCA DO-332, RTCA DO-333, RTCA DO-248C, SAE ARP4754B.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of RTCA DO-178C, RTCA DO-330 and AMC 20-115D applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:LDRA Testbed, VectorCAST, Polyspace, SCADE Suite and Rapita RVS, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:A safety-critical software project for an avionics function, from certification plan and traceable requirements to coverage analysis and compliance matrix, 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.

Function and certification plan
Define the avionics function, assign the software level and draw up the certification plan.
Requirements and traceability
Develop high-level and low-level requirements with full traceability.
Design and implementation
Design and implement the software following the coding standards.
Testing and coverage
Prepare the test plan and cases and analyse structural coverage.
Final project
A documented safety-critical software project with its objectives compliance matrix, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Embedded avionics software engineerSoftware verification engineerSoftware quality managerCertification engineerTool engineerFormal methods specialist
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

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

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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 LDRA Testbed, VectorCAST, Polyspace, SCADE Suite and Rapita RVS, 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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