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CourseDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Diploma in Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in ground penetrating radar (GPR). 8 modules covering GPR principles, equipment and antennas, data acquisition, processing, interpretation, numerical modelling and special applications under ASTM D6432, ETSI EN 302 066 and ECC Decision (06)08, with ReflexW and 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 physical principles of ground penetrating radar.

02

Select antennas and frequencies according to the target.

03

Plan and carry out acquisition surveys.

04

Process and interpret radargrams.

05

Numerically model propagation in the subsurface.

06

Apply spectrum regulations and professional practice standards.

07

Prepare subsurface detection reports.

Profile

Who it's for

  • GPR technicians.
  • Geophysicists.
  • Infrastructure inspection engineers.
  • Technical archaeologists.
  • Subsurface detection specialists.
  • Signal processing engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into civil engineering.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ASTM D6432 (guide for using GPR for subsurface investigation)
  • ETSI EN 302 066 (ground- and wall-probing radar imaging applications)
  • ECC Decision (06)08 (spectrum use by ground- and wall-probing radar)
  • ASCE 38-22 (subsurface utility infrastructure data)
  • CWA 14747-1 (test and evaluation of mine action detectors)
  • ISO 19115 (geographic metadata)
  • ReflexW
  • GPR-SLICE
  • gprMax
  • MATGPR
  • QGIS
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Electromagnetic propagation in the subsurface
  2. 1.2Permittivity and conductivity of materials
  3. 1.3Velocity and attenuation
  4. 1.4Reflection at interfaces
  5. 1.5Vertical and horizontal resolution
  6. 1.6Penetration depth
  7. 1.7Diffraction hyperbolas
  8. 1.8Noise and clutter
  9. 1.9Limitations of the method
  10. 1.10Practical: calculation of velocity and resolution
  1. 2.1Architecture of a GPR system
  2. 2.2Shielded and unshielded antennas
  3. 2.3Centre frequencies
  4. 2.4Impulse and stepped-frequency systems
  5. 2.5Multichannel systems
  6. 2.6GNSS positioning
  7. 2.7Odometers and carts
  8. 2.8Calibration
  9. 2.9Spectrum regulations
  10. 2.10Case study: equipment selection for an application
  1. 3.1Survey planning
  2. 3.2Grids and profiles
  3. 3.3Acquisition parameters
  4. 3.4Field velocity measurement
  5. 3.5Ground conditions
  6. 3.6Field documentation
  7. 3.7Quality control
  8. 3.8Safety on public roads
  9. 3.93D acquisition
  10. 3.10Lab: acquisition survey in a street
  1. 4.1Time-zero correction
  2. 4.2Background removal
  3. 4.3Frequency filters
  4. 4.4Gains
  5. 4.5Migration
  6. 4.6Hyperbola velocity analysis
  7. 4.7Depth slices
  8. 4.83D visualisation
  9. 4.9Processing with ReflexW
  10. 4.10Practical: radargram processing
  1. 5.1Recognition of buried utilities
  2. 5.2Concrete structures
  3. 5.3Stratigraphy
  4. 5.4Cavities
  5. 5.5Archaeological remains
  6. 5.6Contamination and moisture
  7. 5.7Interpretation ambiguities
  8. 5.8Integration with other methods
  9. 5.9ASCE 38 quality levels
  10. 5.10Case study: interpretation of an urban profile
  1. 6.1Finite-difference time-domain method
  2. 6.2Models with gprMax
  3. 6.3Modelling heterogeneous materials
  4. 6.4Antenna modelling
  5. 6.5Full-waveform inversion
  6. 6.6Machine learning in GPR
  7. 6.7Model validation
  8. 6.8Synthetic data
  9. 6.9Comparison with real data
  10. 6.10Lab: simulation of reflections with gprMax
  1. 7.1Mine detection in humanitarian action
  2. 7.2Dual metal-detector/GPR systems
  3. 7.3Testing according to CWA 14747-1
  4. 7.4Bridge inspection
  5. 7.5Tunnels and underground works
  6. 7.6Glaciology
  7. 7.7Airborne GPR
  8. 7.8Non-destructive testing of pavements
  9. 7.9Reports and professional standards
  10. 7.10Workshop: subsurface detection report
  1. 8.1Definition of the objective
  2. 8.2Equipment selection
  3. 8.3Acquisition plan
  4. 8.4Data processing
  5. 8.5Supporting numerical modelling
  6. 8.6Interpretation
  7. 8.7Technical report
  8. 8.8Recommendations
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

A 100% online programme 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 you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ReflexW, GPR-SLICE, gprMax, MATGPR and QGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: locating buried utilities in a street, numerical modelling of reflections with gprMax and inspection of a concrete slab. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ASTM D6432, ETSI EN 302 066, ECC Decision (06)08, ASCE 38-22, CWA 14747-1, ISO 19115.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ASTM D6432, ETSI EN 302 066, ECC Decision (06)08 and ASCE 38-22 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:ReflexW, GPR-SLICE, gprMax, MATGPR and QGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete GPR survey, from equipment selection and acquisition plan to processing, modelling, interpretation and technical report, 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.

Objective and equipment
Define the survey objective and select the antennas and frequencies for it.
Acquisition plan
Plan grids, profiles and acquisition parameters, including field velocity measurement.
Data processing
Process the radargrams with time-zero correction, filtering, gains and migration in ReflexW.
Modelling and interpretation
Support the interpretation with gprMax models and classify results using ASCE 38 quality levels.
Final project
Write the technical report and recommendations, and present them for final review with your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

GPR technicianGeophysicistInfrastructure inspection engineerTechnical archaeologistSubsurface detection specialistSignal processing engineer
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 ReflexW, GPR-SLICE, gprMax, MATGPR and QGIS, 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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