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Master’s in Avionics, Critical Software & Systems Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in avionics, safety-critical software and systems engineering, structured in 12 modules covering avionics architectures, data buses, navigation and flight management, surveillance and alerting, critical software, DO-178C, model-based development, electronic hardware, environmental qualification, systems integration and cybersecurity, 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

Understand modern avionics architectures.

02

Analyse aeronautical data buses and networks.

03

Develop safety-critical software in compliance with DO-178C.

04

Apply model-based development and formal methods.

05

Design qualifiable electronic hardware.

06

Plan systems integration, qualification and testing.

07

Assess the cybersecurity of avionics systems.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Avionics engineers.
  • Safety-critical software engineers.
  • Software verification engineers.
  • Systems integration engineers.
  • Electronic hardware engineers.
  • Certification engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter aircraft manufacturing.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • RTCA DO-178C (software considerations in airborne systems)
  • RTCA DO-254 (design assurance for airborne electronic hardware)
  • RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
  • SAE ARP4754A (development of civil aircraft and systems)
  • SAE ARP4761A (safety assessment process for civil aircraft)
  • RTCA DO-326A (airworthiness security process)
  • ARINC 653 (avionics application software partitioning interface)
  • AMC 20-193 (use of multicore processors)
  • SCADE Suite
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • LDRA Testbed
  • VectorCAST
  • Wind River VxWorks 653
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Evolution from federated to integrated avionics
  2. 1.2Avionics functions
  3. 1.3Commercial avionics suites
  4. 1.4Bus architectures
  5. 1.5Redundancy and availability
  6. 1.6Interfaces with aircraft systems
  7. 1.7Flight deck architectures
  8. 1.8Weight and power requirements
  9. 1.9Trends in avionics
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of the A350 avionics
  1. 2.1Unidirectional ARINC 429 bus
  2. 2.2MIL-STD-1553B bus and its protocol
  3. 2.3ARINC 664 AFDX
  4. 2.4CAN and ARINC 825
  5. 2.5Time-triggered TTEthernet networks
  6. 2.6Deterministic Ethernet for avionics
  7. 2.7Latency analysis
  8. 2.8Network redundancy
  9. 2.9Bus diagnostics
  10. 2.10Lab: AFDX traffic analysis
  1. 3.1Inertial reference systems
  2. 3.2GNSS receivers and SBAS augmentation
  3. 3.3FMS and flight management
  4. 3.4Performance-based navigation (PBN)
  5. 3.5Navigation databases
  6. 3.6VOR, DME and ILS radio aids
  7. 3.7Approach systems
  8. 3.8Vertical navigation and profiles
  9. 3.9Sensor integration
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: building a route in an FMS
  1. 4.1TCAS and ACAS
  2. 4.2Airborne weather radar
  3. 4.3TAWS and EGPWS
  4. 4.4ADS-B Out and In
  5. 4.5Flight deck alerting systems
  6. 4.6Detect and avoid
  7. 4.7Engine monitoring
  8. 4.8Configuration alerts
  9. 4.9Alert priorities
  10. 4.10Case study: TAWS alerting logic
  1. 5.1Characteristics of safety-critical software
  2. 5.2Languages: Ada, C and SPARK
  3. 5.3MISRA coding standards
  4. 5.4Real-time operating systems
  5. 5.5Real-time scheduling
  6. 5.6WCET execution time analysis
  7. 5.7Time and space partitioning
  8. 5.8Memory management
  9. 5.9Exception handling
  10. 5.10Lab: task schedulability analysis
  1. 6.1Software DAL levels
  2. 6.2Software plans
  3. 6.3High-level and low-level requirements
  4. 6.4Design and coding
  5. 6.5Software verification activities
  6. 6.6MC/DC structural coverage
  7. 6.7Configuration management
  8. 6.8Quality assurance
  9. 6.9Liaison with the authority
  10. 6.10Practical exercise: MC/DC coverage analysis
  1. 7.1DO-331 and models
  2. 7.2Development with SCADE Suite
  3. 7.3Simulink and code generation
  4. 7.4Model verification
  5. 7.5DO-330 qualified tools
  6. 7.6DO-333 formal methods
  7. 7.7Property model checking
  8. 7.8Automatic testing from models
  9. 7.9Continuous integration in certifiable software
  10. 7.10Lab: SCADE model of a control function
  1. 8.1DO-254 hardware life cycle
  2. 8.2Multicore processors in avionics
  3. 8.3FPGAs in avionics
  4. 8.4COTS and obsolescence
  5. 8.5PCB design for avionics
  6. 8.6Equipment thermal management
  7. 8.7Reliability and MTBF calculation
  8. 8.8Single event effects
  9. 8.9Component analysis
  10. 8.10Case study: evaluating a multicore processor against AMC 20-193
  1. 9.1DO-160 and its sections
  2. 9.2Temperature and altitude tests
  3. 9.3Vibration and shock
  4. 9.4EMI and EMC
  5. 9.5Lightning indirect effects
  6. 9.6HIRF radiated field tests
  7. 9.7Humidity and salt fog
  8. 9.8Power input tests
  9. 9.9Qualification plan
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: DO-160 qualification matrix
  1. 10.1ARP4754A systems engineering
  2. 10.2Bench integration
  3. 10.3Aircraft integration tests
  4. 10.4Avionics rig
  5. 10.5Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation
  6. 10.6Flight testing
  7. 10.7Defect management
  8. 10.8Traceability between requirements and tests
  9. 10.9Configuration review
  10. 10.10Workshop: avionics bench integration plan
  1. 11.1DO-326A and ED-202A
  2. 11.2Threats in avionics
  3. 11.3Cabin connectivity
  4. 11.4Software updates
  5. 11.5AI in avionics
  6. 11.6Avionics for UAM
  7. 11.7Open modular avionics
  8. 11.8Software-defined avionics
  9. 11.9Certification of AI-based systems
  10. 11.10Case study: threat analysis of a cabin network
  1. 12.1Definition of the avionics function
  2. 12.2System requirements
  3. 12.3Hardware and software architecture
  4. 12.4Software development
  5. 12.5Verification plan
  6. 12.6Environmental qualification plan
  7. 12.7Safety analysis
  8. 12.8Certification plan
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is delivered 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 you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SCADE Suite, MATLAB/Simulink, LDRA Testbed, VectorCAST and Wind River VxWorks 653, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: MC/DC coverage testing, avionics bench integration and DO-160 environmental qualification. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: RTCA DO-178C, RTCA DO-254, RTCA DO-160G, SAE ARP4754A, SAE ARP4761A, RTCA DO-326A, ARINC 653, AMC 20-193.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160G and ARP4754A applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:SCADE Suite, MATLAB/Simulink, LDRA Testbed, VectorCAST and Wind River VxWorks 653, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:An avionics function developed end to end, from system requirements and architecture to verification, qualification and certification plans, 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.

Network and scheduling analysis
Analyse AFDX traffic and the schedulability of real-time tasks.
DO-178C verification
Carry out an MC/DC structural coverage analysis.
Model-based function
Build a SCADE model of a control function.
Qualification and integration
Prepare a DO-160 qualification matrix and a bench integration plan.
Master's Thesis
Develop an avionics function with its verification and certification plans, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Avionics engineerSafety-critical software engineerSoftware verification engineerSystems integration engineerElectronic hardware engineerCertification engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • 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 SCADE Suite, MATLAB/Simulink, LDRA Testbed, VectorCAST and Wind River VxWorks 653, 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 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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