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Master’s in Advanced Suspension Engineering (Semi-Active, Hydraulics, Linkages, 7-Post Rig)

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in advanced suspension engineering (semi-active, hydraulics, linkages, 7-post rig). 12 modules covering vertical dynamics, kinematics, forks, damper hydraulics, testing, semi-active systems, control strategies, simulation, telemetry and manufacturing, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Analyse the kinematics of motorcycle linkages and forks.

02

Model the hydraulic behaviour of dampers.

03

Design semi-active systems with control strategies.

04

Characterise suspension on a dynamometer and on a rig.

05

Optimise set-up using telemetry data.

06

Validate suspension against standardised road profiles.

07

Develop an advanced suspension system for a motorcycle.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Suspension engineers at manufacturers and suppliers.
  • Control engineers working on semi-active suspension systems.
  • Racing suspension technicians seeking a stronger engineering foundation.
  • Test bench engineers working with dampers and rigs.
  • Vehicle dynamics engineers broadening into suspension design.
  • Calibration engineers for electronic suspension.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join suspension manufacturers.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 2631-1 (evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration)
  • ISO 8608 (road surface profiles)
  • ISO 9130 (measurement of motorcycle centre of gravity)
  • ISO 9129 (measurement methods for motorcycle moments of inertia)
  • ISO 26262-12 (functional safety for motorcycles)
  • ISO 11898-1 (CAN data link layer)
  • ISO 16750-3 (environmental conditions and mechanical loads for vehicle electrical equipment)
  • FIM Grand Prix Regulations (technical rules for road racing)
  • MSC Adams
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • BikeSim
  • MoTeC i2 Pro
  • Optimum Kinematics
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Quarter-vehicle models
  2. 1.2Half-vehicle model with pitch
  3. 1.3Bounce and pitch frequencies
  4. 1.4Sprung and unsprung masses
  5. 1.5ISO 8608 road profiles
  6. 1.6Comfort according to ISO 2631-1
  7. 1.7Grip and load variation
  8. 1.8Interaction with the chassis
  9. 1.9Effect of passenger and load
  10. 1.10Case study: excitation spectrum of a road
  1. 2.1Progressive linkage systems
  2. 2.2Leverage ratio and its curve
  3. 2.3Anti-squat and chain pull
  4. 2.4Swingarm pivot
  5. 2.5Rear ride height
  6. 2.6Linkage design for track use
  7. 2.7Design for off-road use
  8. 2.8Kinematic calculation tools
  9. 2.9Validation by measurement
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: ratio curve of a linkage
  1. 3.1Telescopic and upside-down forks
  2. 3.2Closed and open cartridges
  3. 3.3Air springs in forks
  4. 3.4Friction and bushings
  5. 3.5Dive under braking
  6. 3.6Telelever and Duolever
  7. 3.7Hub-centre steering
  8. 3.8Fork and triple clamp stiffness
  9. 3.9Maintenance and set-up
  10. 3.10Laboratory: measuring fork friction
  1. 4.1Shim valves and shim stacks
  2. 4.2Flow through orifices and piston
  3. 4.3Cavitation and pressurisation
  4. 4.4Remote reservoir and gas
  5. 4.5High- and low-speed compression
  6. 4.6Rebound and mass control
  7. 4.7Temperature and viscosity
  8. 4.8Physical modelling of the damper
  9. 4.9Force versus velocity curves
  10. 4.10Workshop: designing a shim stack
  1. 5.1Damper dynamometers
  2. 5.2Sinusoidal and ramp tests
  3. 5.3Hysteresis measurement
  4. 5.4Durability tests
  5. 5.5Fork test benches
  6. 5.6Seven-actuator rig for motorcycles
  7. 5.7Track data replay
  8. 5.8Bench-to-track correlation
  9. 5.9Suspension instrumentation
  10. 5.10Laboratory: dynamometer characterisation
  1. 6.1Solenoid damping valves
  2. 6.2Magnetorheological fluid dampers
  3. 6.3Suspension ECU architecture
  4. 6.4Stroke and acceleration sensors
  5. 6.5Integration with the IMU
  6. 6.6Riding modes
  7. 6.7Actuator latency and response
  8. 6.8Functional safety in suspension systems
  9. 6.9Diagnostics and degraded modes
  10. 6.10Practical exercise: analysis of a commercial semi-active system
  1. 7.1Skyhook control strategy
  2. 7.2Groundhook control strategy
  3. 7.3Hybrid skyhook-groundhook control
  4. 7.4Model predictive control
  5. 7.5Lean-angle-based control
  6. 7.6Anti-pitch control under braking
  7. 7.7Electronic preload control
  8. 7.8Automatic ride-height adjustment
  9. 7.9Validation in simulation
  10. 7.10Laboratory: skyhook control in Simulink
  1. 8.1Multibody models of the motorcycle
  2. 8.2Vertical tyre modelling
  3. 8.3Simulation of bumps and obstacles
  4. 8.4Parameter optimisation
  5. 8.5Co-simulation with control
  6. 8.6Reduced real-time models
  7. 8.7Hardware in the loop
  8. 8.8Model validation
  9. 8.9Use in product development
  10. 8.10Practical exercise: damping optimisation by simulation
  1. 9.1Static and dynamic sag
  2. 9.2Reading suspension channels
  3. 9.3Damper velocity histograms
  4. 9.4Analysis of braking and corner entry
  5. 9.5Analysis of traction on corner exit
  6. 9.6Track-specific adjustments
  7. 9.7Dialogue with the rider
  8. 9.8Set-up documentation
  9. 9.9Common set-up mistakes
  10. 9.10Case study: set-up of a superbike at a circuit
  1. 10.1Motocross and enduro suspension
  2. 10.2Long travel and bottoming out
  3. 10.3Rally-raid suspension
  4. 10.4Ride-height lowering devices
  5. 10.5FIM regulations on suspension
  6. 10.6Racing components
  7. 10.7Maintenance during races
  8. 10.8Suspension in electric motorcycles
  9. 10.9Technology trends in the sector
  10. 10.10Practical exercise: set-up of an enduro motorcycle
  1. 11.1Machining of tubes and bodies
  2. 11.2DLC surface treatments
  3. 11.3Seals and sealing
  4. 11.4Hydraulic fluids and their viscosity
  5. 11.5In-line quality control
  6. 11.6End-of-line tests
  7. 11.7Environmental tests to ISO 16750-3
  8. 11.8Warranty management
  9. 11.9Manufacturing costs
  10. 11.10Case study: audit of a damper production line
  1. 12.1Definition of the vehicle and its use
  2. 12.2Kinematic design of the suspension
  3. 12.3Hydraulic design of the damper
  4. 12.4Semi-active system architecture
  5. 12.5Control strategy
  6. 12.6Simulation and optimisation
  7. 12.7Bench test plan
  8. 12.8Validation with usage data
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 the intake, making it compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MSC Adams, MATLAB/Simulink, BikeSim, MoTeC i2 Pro and Optimum Kinematics, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures: characterising a damper on a dynamometer, testing a motorcycle on a seven-actuator rig, and calibrating a semi-active suspension with track data. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ISO 2631-1, ISO 8608, ISO 9130, ISO 9129, ISO 26262-12, ISO 11898-1, ISO 16750-3, FIM Grand Prix Regulations.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 2631-1, ISO 8608, ISO 26262-12 and ISO 16750-3 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MSC Adams, MATLAB/Simulink, BikeSim, MoTeC i2 Pro and Optimum Kinematics, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:An advanced suspension system for a motorcycle, from kinematic design to validation, defended before a panel.
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.

Vehicle and kinematic design
Define the vehicle and its use and design the suspension kinematics.
Damper hydraulic design
Design the damper hydraulics, including the shim stack and force-velocity curves.
Semi-active system and control
Define the semi-active architecture and its control strategy.
Simulation and bench testing
Optimise the system by simulation and draw up the bench test plan.
Master's Thesis
Validate the system with usage data and present it, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Suspension EngineerSemi-Active Suspension Control EngineerRacing Suspension TechnicianTest Bench EngineerVehicle Dynamics EngineerCalibration Engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with MSC Adams, MATLAB/Simulink, BikeSim, MoTeC i2 Pro and Optimum Kinematics, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme's 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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