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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Diploma in Aerial LiDAR, Processing and Applied GIS

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in airborne LiDAR, processing and applied GIS: 8 modules covering LiDAR principles, platforms and georeferencing, strip adjustment, point cloud classification, derived models, GIS integration and LiDAR project quality management, 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 how airborne LiDAR systems work.

02

Plan LiDAR flights with the required density and accuracy.

03

Process GNSS/INS trajectories and adjust flight strips.

04

Classify point clouds using automatic and supervised methods.

05

Generate digital models and derived products.

06

Integrate LiDAR data into sector-specific GIS analysis.

07

Assess the quality of LiDAR deliverables against specifications.

Profile

Who it's for

  • LiDAR processing technicians seeking a structured command of the full workflow.
  • GIS analysts who want to work directly with point clouds.
  • Surveyors expanding into airborne laser scanning.
  • Cartographic engineers.
  • Forestry remote sensing technicians.
  • Geospatial project managers who specify or audit LiDAR deliverables.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter mapping and geomatics.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ASPRS LAS Specification 1.4 (point cloud exchange format)
  • ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data (accuracy classes for geospatial products)
  • USGS Lidar Base Specification (requirements for LiDAR data acquisition and delivery)
  • IEC 60825-1 (safety of laser products)
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules and procedures for operating unmanned aircraft)
  • ISO 19157-1 (geographic information data quality)
  • Directive 2007/2/EC (INSPIRE) (European spatial data infrastructure)
  • LAStools
  • TerraScan
  • CloudCompare
  • QGIS
  • PDAL
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Time-of-flight distance measurement
  2. 1.2Discrete return and full waveform
  3. 1.3Wavelength, divergence and footprint
  4. 1.4Scanning mechanisms: oscillating mirror, prism and Risley
  5. 1.5Solid-state and Geiger-mode sensors
  6. 1.6Point density and pulse frequency
  7. 1.7Multiple returns and vegetation penetration
  8. 1.8Surface intensity and reflectivity
  9. 1.9Laser safety and IEC 60825-1 classes
  10. 1.10Workshop: comparison of commercial LiDAR sensors
  1. 2.1LiDAR on UAS, light aircraft and helicopter
  2. 2.2GNSS/INS integration
  3. 2.3Trajectory computation with PPK
  4. 2.4Boresight and lever-arm calibration
  5. 2.5System error sources
  6. 2.6Strip planning and side overlap
  7. 2.7Flight altitude and scan angle
  8. 2.8Regulatory requirements for the operation
  9. 2.9Synchronisation with an RGB camera
  10. 2.10Practical: trajectory computation with GNSS/IMU data
  1. 3.1Strip adjustment and discrepancies
  2. 3.2Ground control surfaces
  3. 3.3Intensity normalisation
  4. 3.4Vertical accuracy in open terrain
  5. 3.5Vertical accuracy in vegetation
  6. 3.6System calibration reports
  7. 3.7Time synchronisation errors
  8. 3.8Noise, outliers and isolated points
  9. 3.9Density and void control
  10. 3.10Lab: strip adjustment of a block
  1. 4.1ASPRS class scheme
  2. 4.2Ground filtering algorithms
  3. 4.3Height-based vegetation classification
  4. 4.4Building extraction
  5. 4.5Power line detection
  6. 4.6Classification with machine learning
  7. 4.7Semantic segmentation with PointNet networks
  8. 4.8Manual editing and review
  9. 4.9Handling water and bridges
  10. 4.10Practical: classification of an urban point cloud
  1. 5.1DTM, DSM and normalised DSM
  2. 5.2TIN and IDW interpolation
  3. 5.3Canopy height models
  4. 5.4Catchments and drainage networks
  5. 5.5Slopes and aspects
  6. 5.6Hillshading and relief visualisation
  7. 5.7Multi-temporal change detection
  8. 5.8Volumes and earthworks
  9. 5.9Integration with orthophotography
  10. 5.10Case study: hydrological model of a catchment
  1. 6.1LAS, LAZ, COPC and EPT formats
  2. 6.2PostGIS spatial databases
  3. 6.3Batch processing with PDAL
  4. 6.4Forest inventory and biomass
  5. 6.5Power line corridor management
  6. 6.6Archaeology and micro-relief
  7. 6.7Flood zone mapping
  8. 6.83D urban modelling with CityGML
  9. 6.9OGC web services
  10. 6.10Workshop: forest inventory with LiDAR metrics
  1. 7.1Technical specifications for LiDAR projects
  2. 7.2PNOA LiDAR coverage
  3. 7.3ISO 19115 metadata
  4. 7.4Data quality according to ISO 19157
  5. 7.5Point cloud storage and compression
  6. 7.6Cloud processing
  7. 7.7Tender specifications and public procurement
  8. 7.8Production costs and throughput
  9. 7.9Open data licences
  10. 7.10Case study: audit of a LiDAR deliverable
  1. 8.1Objectives and study area
  2. 8.2Flight design and specifications
  3. 8.3Trajectory and strip adjustment
  4. 8.4Point cloud classification
  5. 8.5Derived products
  6. 8.6Thematic GIS analysis
  7. 8.7Quality control
  8. 8.8Discussion of results
  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 LAStools, TerraScan, CloudCompare, QGIS and PDAL, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied: processing of PNOA LiDAR point clouds, adjustment and control of LiDAR strips and GIS analysis of derived digital models. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ASPRS LAS Specification 1.4, ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data, USGS Lidar Base Specification, IEC 60825-1, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, ISO 19157-1, Directive 2007/2/EC (INSPIRE).

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ASPRS LAS Specification 1.4, the ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards and the USGS Lidar Base Specification applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:LAStools, TerraScan, CloudCompare, QGIS and PDAL, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:An applied LiDAR project, from flight design and strip adjustment to classification, derived products and GIS analysis, 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.

Objectives and flight design
Define the study area and design the LiDAR flight to the required specifications.
Trajectory and strip adjustment
Compute the trajectory and adjust the flight strips with quality control.
Point cloud classification
Classify the point cloud and generate the derived models.
Thematic GIS analysis
Integrate the products into a GIS analysis and discuss the results.
Final project
A documented applied LiDAR project, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

LiDAR processing technicianGIS analystSurveyorCartographic engineerForestry remote sensing technicianGeospatial project manager
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 LAStools, TerraScan, CloudCompare, QGIS and PDAL, 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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