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Master'sNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical Applications open

Master’s in Navigation and Bridge Systems Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in navigation and bridge systems engineering: 12 modules covering maritime navigation, satellite positioning, radar and ARPA, ECDIS, AIS, integrated bridge systems, ergonomics, bridge resource management, dynamic positioning, autonomous navigation and equipment approval, with SOLAS Chapter V, MSC.232(82) and Transas NTPRO, 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

Apply the fundamentals of maritime navigation.

02

Analyse satellite positioning systems and their vulnerabilities.

03

Use radar and ARPA for collision prevention.

04

Plan passages with ECDIS and electronic charts.

05

Design integrated, ergonomic bridge systems.

06

Apply bridge resource management.

07

Understand autonomous navigation and equipment regulations.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Navigation systems engineers at shipyards and marine electronics manufacturers.
  • Bridge officers looking to move into engineering and systems roles.
  • Navigation simulator instructors at maritime training centres.
  • Integrated bridge engineers designing and commissioning IBS and INS.
  • Dynamic positioning operators in the offshore sector.
  • Navigation equipment inspectors working for administrations or classification societies.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the shipping industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • SOLAS Convention Chapter V (safety of navigation)
  • Resolution MSC.232(82) ECDIS (IMO performance standards for ECDIS)
  • Resolution MSC.252(83) INS (IMO performance standards for integrated navigation systems)
  • IEC 61162 (digital interfaces for navigation and radiocommunication equipment)
  • IEC 62388 (shipborne radar performance and testing)
  • IEC 61924-2 (integrated navigation systems: modular structure and testing)
  • COLREG Regulations (international regulations for preventing collisions at sea)
  • IHO S-57 (transfer standard for digital hydrographic data)
  • Transas NTPRO
  • Kongsberg K-Sim
  • OpenCPN
  • MATLAB
  • Python
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Coordinate systems and the WGS 84 datum
  2. 1.2Mercator and gnomonic chart projections
  3. 1.3Dead reckoning and course calculation
  4. 1.4Coastal navigation with bearings and transits
  5. 1.5Celestial navigation as a backup
  6. 1.6Gyrocompass, magnetic compass and deviation
  7. 1.7Nautical charts and Hydrographic Office publications
  8. 1.8Tides, currents and their effect on the track
  9. 1.9COLREG regulations and conduct of vessels
  10. 1.10Case study: planning a coastal passage
  1. 2.1GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou constellations
  2. 2.2SBAS and DGNSS augmentation systems
  3. 2.3Signal accuracy, availability and integrity
  4. 2.4GNSS interference, jamming and spoofing
  5. 2.5eLoran and alternative positioning systems
  6. 2.6Inertial navigation and fibre-optic gyroscopes
  7. 2.7Sensor fusion for resilient positioning
  8. 2.8Multi-constellation and multi-frequency receivers
  9. 2.9IMO performance standards for receivers
  10. 2.10Lab: accuracy analysis of a GNSS receiver
  1. 3.1Operating principles of marine radar
  2. 3.2X-band and S-band radars
  3. 3.3Solid-state radar and pulse compression
  4. 3.4ARPA target tracking functions
  5. 3.5CPA and TCPA calculation
  6. 3.6Sea and rain clutter suppression
  7. 3.7Performance standards under IEC 62388
  8. 3.8Radar image interpretation
  9. 3.9Radar in restricted waters and reduced visibility
  10. 3.10Practical: collision avoidance manoeuvre with ARPA
  1. 4.1IMO ECDIS performance standards
  2. 4.2ENC electronic charts under S-57
  3. 4.3Transition to the S-100 data framework
  4. 4.4Information layers and display
  5. 4.5Safety contours and alarms
  6. 4.6Route planning and checking
  7. 4.7Chart updates and licences
  8. 4.8Generic and type-specific training
  9. 4.9Common errors and ECDIS-related accidents
  10. 4.10Workshop: planning a complete passage in ECDIS
  1. 5.1How the AIS system works
  2. 5.2Class A and Class B transponders
  3. 5.3Static, dynamic and safety messages
  4. 5.4AIS target overlay on radar
  5. 5.5GMDSS and sea areas
  6. 5.6VHF radiotelephony and digital selective calling
  7. 5.7Maritime safety information via NAVTEX
  8. 5.8Satellite communications on the bridge
  9. 5.9The IMO e-Navigation concept
  10. 5.10Case study: traffic density analysis with AIS
  1. 6.1The integrated bridge system (IBS) concept
  2. 6.2Integrated navigation system (INS)
  3. 6.3IMO INS performance standards
  4. 6.4Autopilots and heading control
  5. 6.5Track control systems
  6. 6.6Sensor integration via IEC 61162
  7. 6.7Central bridge alert management
  8. 6.8Bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS)
  9. 6.9Bridge network architecture and redundancy
  10. 6.10Practical: configuring an INS in a simulator
  1. 7.1Bridge design requirements under SOLAS V/15
  2. 7.2Fields of vision from the conning position
  3. 7.3Layout of consoles and workstations
  4. 7.4Human factors in bridge design
  5. 7.5Alarm management and officer overload
  6. 7.6Night lighting and visual adaptation
  7. 7.7Noise and vibration on the bridge
  8. 7.8MSC/Circ.982 ergonomics guidelines
  9. 7.9Design validation with users
  10. 7.10Lab: ergonomic assessment of an existing bridge
  1. 8.1Principles of bridge resource management
  2. 8.2Communication between officers and with the pilot
  3. 8.3Situational awareness on watch
  4. 8.4Decision-making in critical situations
  5. 8.5Fatigue and management of rest hours
  6. 8.6Procedures and checklists
  7. 8.7Master–pilot information exchange
  8. 8.8Team training in the simulator
  9. 8.9Accidents attributed to BRM failures
  10. 8.10Case study: BRM analysis of a real grounding
  1. 9.1Principles of dynamic positioning
  2. 9.2DP equipment classes 1, 2 and 3
  3. 9.3Position reference sensors
  4. 9.4Thrusters and thrust allocation
  5. 9.5DP control algorithms
  6. 9.6FMEA of DP systems
  7. 9.7DP operations in the offshore sector
  8. 9.8IMCA guidelines and MSC.1/Circ.1580
  9. 9.9Training and certification of DP operators
  10. 9.10Practical: DP capability plot for a support vessel
  1. 10.1MASS levels of autonomy
  2. 10.2Perception sensors: lidar, cameras and radar
  3. 10.3Computer vision for target detection
  4. 10.4Collision avoidance algorithms
  5. 10.5Remote ship control centres
  6. 10.6Development of the IMO MASS Code
  7. 10.7Cybersecurity in autonomous navigation systems
  8. 10.8Trials and test areas
  9. 10.9Reference projects in Norway and Japan
  10. 10.10Workshop: COLREG-compliant collision avoidance algorithm
  1. 11.1Chapter V of the SOLAS Convention
  2. 11.2Applicable IMO performance standards
  3. 11.3IEC 61162 interface series
  4. 11.4IEC 62388 standard for radar
  5. 11.5IEC 61924-2 standard for INS
  6. 11.6Directive 2014/90/EU on marine equipment
  7. 11.7Type approval and the wheel mark
  8. 11.8Port State inspections
  9. 11.9Navigation equipment audits
  10. 11.10Case study: certification of an ECDIS for a bulk carrier
  1. 12.1Definition of the ship and its operation
  2. 12.2Navigation and communications requirements
  3. 12.3Bridge layout design
  4. 12.4Selection of navigation equipment
  5. 12.5Systems integration architecture
  6. 12.6Ergonomic and human factors assessment
  7. 12.7Equipment certification plan
  8. 12.8Conclusions of the bridge project
  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, so it is compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Transas NTPRO, Kongsberg K-Sim, OpenCPN, MATLAB and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for ECDIS passage planning, ergonomic bridge assessment and traffic analysis with AIS data. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: SOLAS Convention Chapter V, Resolution MSC.232(82) ECDIS, Resolution MSC.252(83) INS, IEC 61162, IEC 62388, IEC 61924-2, COLREG Regulations, IHO S-57.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of SOLAS Chapter V, Resolution MSC.232(82) ECDIS and Resolution MSC.252(83) INS applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Transas NTPRO, Kongsberg K-Sim, OpenCPN, MATLAB and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete bridge system project for a defined ship, from navigation requirements and layout to systems integration and certification plan, 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.

Ship and operational requirements
Define the ship, its operation and its navigation and communications requirements.
Bridge layout design
Design the bridge layout and assess fields of vision and ergonomics against SOLAS V/15.
Equipment selection and integration
Select navigation equipment and define an INS integration architecture based on IEC 61162.
Certification plan
Prepare the type approval and certification plan for the bridge equipment.
Master's Thesis
Present the complete bridge system project, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Navigation systems engineerBridge officerNavigation simulator instructorIntegrated bridge engineerDynamic positioning operatorNavigation equipment inspector
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 Transas NTPRO, Kongsberg K-Sim, OpenCPN, MATLAB and Python, 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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