Course in Coastal Dynamics and Urban Coastal Protection
Online 300-hour course in coastal dynamics and urban coastal protection. 6 MODULES WITH LAW 22/1988, OF COASTS, LAW 2/2013, ON THE PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF THE SMC COASTAL MODELING SYSTEM. Assigned tutor and open enrollment.
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 processes that govern coastal dynamics.
Analyse maritime climate using official data and extreme value regimes.
Assess coastal erosion and flooding on urban waterfronts.
Design hard, soft and nature-based protection measures.
Model coastal evolution using numerical tools.
Apply integrated coastal zone management.
Develop a protection project for an urban coastline.
Who it's for
- Coastal engineer looking to specialise in Coastal Dynamics and Urban Coastal Protection.
- Coastal demarcation technician looking to specialise in Coastal Dynamics and Urban Coastal Protection.
- Coastal dynamics consultant looking to specialise in Coastal Dynamics and Urban Coastal Protection.
- Hydrodynamic modeller looking to specialise in Coastal Dynamics and Urban Coastal Protection.
- Integrated coastal management technician looking to specialise in Coastal Dynamics and Urban Coastal Protection.
- Coastal risk analyst looking to specialise in Coastal Dynamics and Urban Coastal Protection.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter coastal administration.
What you'll work with
- Law 22/1988, of Coasts
- Law 2/2013, on the protection and sustainable use of the coast
- Royal Decree 876/2014, General Regulation of Coasts
- ROM 0.0-01, general procedure and calculation bases in maritime and port works
- ROM 1.0-09, Recommendations of the design and execution of the works of shelter
- Directive 2007/60/EC, Flood Risk Assessment and Management
- Integrated Management Protocol for Mediterranean Coastal Zones (2008)
- Eurotop, Wave Overhead Manual (2018)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Coastal morphology and physiographic units1.2Waves: generation, propagation and breaking1.3Tides, storm surges and extreme water levels1.4Longshore and rip currents1.5Longshore and cross-shore sediment transport1.6Dean equilibrium profile1.7Beach planform1.8Sediment budget of the unit1.9Sea-level rise and projections1.10Case study: physiographic unit of an urban beach
2.1Buoy and Tide Gauge Networks of State Ports2.2Reanalysis and SIMAR Databases2.3Mean and Extreme Regimes2.4Wave propagation with spectral models2.5Bathymetry and LiDAR Topography2.6Coastal Video Monitoring with Argus Stations2.7Satellite Shoreline Monitoring2.8Storm Event Analysis2.9Uncertainty in Maritime Climate2.10Laboratory: Extreme Wave Regime with SIMAR Data
3.1Causes of erosion on urban coastlines3.2Flood level and run-up3.3Overtopping of promenades3.4Coastal hazard mapping3.5Vulnerability of urban infrastructure3.6Impact of ports and groynes3.7Climate change and retreat3.8Coastal risk and exposure3.9Economic assessment of damage3.10Practical exercise: flood level of an urban waterfront
4.1Beach regeneration and nourishment4.2Groynes and detached breakwaters4.3Revetments and promenade walls4.4Submerged artificial reefs4.5Dunes and nature-based solutions4.6Sand bypassing4.7Planned retreat of occupation4.8Maintenance and monitoring of interventions4.9Downdrift effects4.10Workshop: design of an artificial beach nourishment
5.1Modelling with the SMC coastal modeling system5.2Shoreline Evolution Models5.3XBeach Morphodynamic Models5.4Integrated Coastal Zone Management5.5Coastal adaptation strategy5.6Coastal Occupation Planning5.7Coordination between coastal authorities, regions and municipalities5.8Stakeholder engagement and risk communication5.9Storm monitoring and alerts5.10Case study: Storm simulation with XBeach
6.1Selection of the coastline section6.2Morphodynamic diagnosis of the section6.3Maritime climate and water levels6.4Hazard assessment6.5Intervention alternatives6.6Solution design6.7Environmental and economic assessment6.8Monitoring plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final 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, making it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Sistema de Modelado Costero SMC, XBeach, SWAN, QGIS, CoastSat, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Assignments are based on real procedures for maritime climate and extreme water level analysis, assessment of erosion on an urban beach, and design of coastal protection measures. Assessment is continuous per 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.
Understand the physical processes that govern coastal dynamics.
Analyse maritime climate using official data and extreme value regimes.
Assess coastal erosion and flooding on urban waterfronts.
Design hard, soft and nature-based protection measures.
Model coastal evolution using numerical tools.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree 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 totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses Sistema de Modelado Costero SMC, XBeach, SWAN, QGIS and CoastSat. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM own 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 are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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