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Postgraduate DiplomaElectronics, Embedded Systems & Telecom Applications open

Diploma in Prototyping, Validation and Reliability

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in prototyping, validation and reliability. 8 modules covering the hardware development process, prototyping techniques, bring-up and debugging, design validation, environmental testing, reliability during development and pre-production 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

Plan hardware development across EVT, DVT and PVT phases.

02

Apply rapid prototyping techniques to iterate designs.

03

Debug boards during bring-up with the right instrumentation.

04

Draw up validation plans with traceability to requirements.

05

Select environmental tests according to the mission profile.

06

Manage reliability growth across prototypes.

07

Prepare the transfer to production and the certification of the product.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Hardware engineers who take boards from first prototype to production.
  • Validation engineers responsible for test plans and campaigns.
  • Prototype engineers in product development teams.
  • Reliability engineers.
  • Product development managers.
  • Certification engineers handling CE and radio compliance.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter consumer electronics.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 60068-2-1 (environmental testing — cold)
  • IEC 60068-2-2 (environmental testing — dry heat)
  • IEC 60068-2-64 (environmental testing — broadband random vibration)
  • IEC 60529 (degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code))
  • IEC 62368-1 (safety of audio/video, information and communication technology equipment)
  • Directive 2014/53/EU (Radio Equipment Directive)
  • Directive 2014/30/EU (Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive)
  • IEC 61014 (programmes for reliability growth)
  • Altium Designer
  • KiCad
  • NI TestStand
  • Jama Connect
  • Python with pytest
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1EVT, DVT and PVT phases
  2. 1.2Requirements and traceability to tests
  3. 1.3Phase-based design reviews
  4. 1.4Technical risk management
  5. 1.5Incremental prototyping strategy
  6. 1.6Configuration and version management
  7. 1.7Prototype budgeting and planning
  8. 1.8Coordination with manufacturers and suppliers
  9. 1.9Exit criteria for each phase
  10. 1.10Case study: development plan for an IoT product
  1. 2.1Evaluation boards and rapid prototyping
  2. 2.2Quick-turn PCB fabrication
  3. 2.3Lab assembly and rework
  4. 2.43D printing of enclosures
  5. 2.5CNC machining and sheet metal
  6. 2.6Functional versus aesthetic prototypes
  7. 2.7Firmware prototypes on early hardware
  8. 2.8Instrumenting prototypes for debugging
  9. 2.9Change management between iterations
  10. 2.10Workshop: bring-up of a first board
  1. 3.1Safe power-up sequence
  2. 3.2Measuring rails and inrush currents
  3. 3.3Debugging with JTAG and SWD
  4. 3.4Oscilloscopes and logic analysers
  5. 3.5Digital protocol analysis
  6. 3.6Locating short circuits and defects
  7. 3.7Testing high-speed interfaces
  8. 3.8Logging prototype issues
  9. 3.9Reproducing intermittent faults
  10. 3.10Lab: debugging a boot failure
  1. 4.1Master validation plan
  2. 4.2Test matrix and requirements coverage
  3. 4.3Functional and parametric tests
  4. 4.4Testing at voltage and temperature limits
  5. 4.5EMC pre-compliance testing
  6. 4.6Electrical safety testing
  7. 4.7Mechanical drop and vibration tests
  8. 4.8Automating validation tests
  9. 4.9Validation reports and non-conformities
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: validation matrix for a product
  1. 5.1Dry heat and cold to IEC 60068-2
  2. 5.2Cyclic damp heat
  3. 5.3Thermal cycling and thermal shock
  4. 5.4Sinusoidal and random vibration
  5. 5.5Mechanical shock and drops
  6. 5.6Salt mist and corrosion
  7. 5.7IP protection rating
  8. 5.8Altitude testing
  9. 5.9Selecting tests according to the mission profile
  10. 5.10Lab: random vibration test
  1. 6.1Product reliability targets
  2. 6.2Accelerated robustness testing
  3. 6.3Reliability growth across prototypes
  4. 6.4Failure analysis of prototypes
  5. 6.5Iterative design FMEA
  6. 6.6Predicted MTBF calculation
  7. 6.7Life testing of critical components
  8. 6.8Lessons learned and knowledge bases
  9. 6.9Risk-based release decisions
  10. 6.10Case study: reliability growth in DVT
  1. 7.1Production validation in PVT
  2. 7.2Production test fixtures
  3. 7.3First article and initial inspection
  4. 7.4CE certification and marking
  5. 7.5Radio Equipment Directive
  6. 7.6Testing at an external test laboratory
  7. 7.7Technical file and declaration of conformity
  8. 7.8Transfer to series manufacturing
  9. 7.9Quality monitoring of the first batches
  10. 7.10Workshop: technical file for an electronic product
  1. 8.1Product description and requirements
  2. 8.2Phased prototyping plan
  3. 8.3Prototype bring-up
  4. 8.4Complete validation plan
  5. 8.5Selected environmental tests
  6. 8.6Design reliability analysis
  7. 8.7Certification plan
  8. 8.8Conclusions and next steps
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. 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 Altium Designer, KiCad, NI TestStand, Jama Connect and Python with pytest, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for prototype bring-up in the laboratory, environmental testing in climatic and vibration chambers and pre-certification validation campaigns. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: IEC 60068-2-1, IEC 60068-2-2, IEC 60068-2-64, IEC 60529, IEC 62368-1, Directive 2014/53/EU, Directive 2014/30/EU, IEC 61014.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IEC 60068-2-1, IEC 60068-2-2 and IEC 60068-2-64 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Altium Designer, KiCad, NI TestStand, Jama Connect and Python with pytest, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete prototyping and validation plan for an electronic product, from phased prototyping and bring-up to validation, environmental testing, reliability analysis and certification, 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.

Requirements and phased plan
Describe the product, its requirements and the EVT/DVT/PVT prototyping plan.
Prototype bring-up
Bring up the prototype and log and resolve the issues found.
Validation and environmental tests
Build the full validation plan and select the environmental tests for the mission profile.
Reliability and certification
Analyse design reliability and draw up the certification plan.
Final project
Present the documented project with conclusions and next steps to your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Hardware engineerValidation engineerPrototype engineerReliability engineerProduct development managerCertification engineer
Admissions & scholarships

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 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 Altium Designer, KiCad, NI TestStand, Jama Connect and Python with pytest, 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 programme 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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