Master’s in Thermal Comfort Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in Thermal Comfort Engineering, with 12 modules covering human thermophysiology, comfort indices, thermal environment measurement, heat and cold stress, comfort in buildings and vehicles, simulation and CFD, clothing and comfort control, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand human thermophysiology and heat balance.
Apply the PMV-PPD and adaptive thermal comfort indices.
Measure the thermal environment in accordance with ISO 7726.
Assess heat and cold stress using standardised methods.
Simulate thermal comfort in buildings and vehicles.
Design efficient thermal comfort solutions.
Manage thermal comfort with occupant-centred control systems.
Who it's for
- Thermal comfort engineers.
- Occupational health and safety technicians specialising in the thermal environment.
- Energy efficiency and comfort consultants.
- HVAC engineers.
- Automotive comfort engineers.
- Thermophysiology researchers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into building services and HVAC.
What you'll work with
- ISO 7730 (ergonomics of the thermal environment)
- ISO 7726 (measuring instruments)
- ISO 7243 (WBGT index)
- ISO 7933 (predicted heat strain)
- ISO 11079 (cold stress)
- EN 16798-1 (indoor environmental parameters)
- ASHRAE 55 (thermal environmental conditions)
- Royal Decree 486/1997 (workplaces, Spain)
- EnergyPlus
- DesignBuilder
- ANSYS Fluent
- CBE Thermal Comfort Tool
- Python
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Heat balance of the human body1.2Metabolic heat production1.3Exchange mechanisms: convection, radiation and evaporation1.4Thermoregulation and vasomotor control1.5Sweating and dehydration1.6Acclimatisation to heat and cold1.7Individual differences and age1.8Core temperature models1.9Gagge's two-node models1.10Practical exercise: heat balance of a worker
2.1Fanger's PMV-PPD model2.2ISO 7730 and comfort categories2.3Local discomfort due to draughts2.4Radiant asymmetry and vertical gradients2.5Operative temperature and how to calculate it2.6Adaptive comfort model2.7EN 16798-1 environmental parameters2.8ASHRAE 55 thermal conditions2.9Limitations of the indices2.10Lab: PMV calculation with the CBE Thermal Comfort Tool
3.1ISO 7726 instruments and methods3.2Air temperature and mean radiant temperature3.3Black globe and its correction3.4Air velocity and turbulence3.5Humidity and its measurement3.6Metabolic rate according to ISO 89963.7Clothing insulation according to ISO 99203.8Measurement uncertainty3.9On-site measurement campaigns3.10Practical exercise: measurement with a microclimate station
4.1WBGT index and ISO 72434.2Predicted heat strain (PHS) and ISO 79334.3Outdoor UTCI index4.4Heatstroke and related disorders4.5Prevention in outdoor work4.6Royal Decree-Law 4/2023 and work in hot conditions4.7Protective clothing and heat stress4.8Individual physiological monitoring4.9Heatwave action plans4.10Case study: PHS assessment in a foundry
5.1IREQ index and ISO 110795.2Local cooling and wind5.3Contact temperature with cold surfaces5.4Work in cold stores5.5Protective clothing against cold5.6Health surveillance of workers exposed to cold5.7Manual performance in the cold5.8Planning warm-up breaks5.9Hypothermia and frostbite5.10Practical exercise: IREQ calculation in a refrigerated warehouse
6.1Bioclimatic design and comfort6.2Radiant systems and comfort6.3Natural ventilation and adaptive comfort6.4Individual control and satisfaction6.5Comfort in open-plan offices6.6Post-occupancy satisfaction surveys6.7WELL and LEED certifications6.8Comfort and energy efficiency6.9Summer overheating6.10Case study: comfort diagnosis in an office
7.1Building energy simulation with EnergyPlus7.2Zone-based comfort modelling7.3CFD of indoor airflow7.4Advanced thermophysiological models7.5Segmented virtual thermal manikins7.6Coupling CFD and human models7.7Validation of simulations7.8Sensitivity analysis7.9Design optimisation7.10Lab: CFD simulation of an office room
8.1Cabin microclimate8.2Automatic multi-zone climate control8.3Heated and ventilated seats8.4Solar radiation in the cabin8.5ISO 14505 evaluation in vehicles8.6Cabin thermal manikins8.7Thermal comfort in electric vehicles8.8Comfort in public transport8.9Climatic chamber testing8.10Practical exercise: equivalent temperature manikin test
9.1Thermal insulation of clothing9.2Evaporative resistance of clothing ensembles9.3Clothing thermal manikins9.4Protective clothing and comfort9.5Personal comfort systems9.6Cooling vests9.7Thermoregulating textiles with phase-change materials9.8Thermal sensitivity by body region9.9User evaluation9.10Lab: insulation test with a manikin
10.1Hospitals and operating theatres10.2Data centres and their workers10.3Mining and tunnels10.4Ships and offshore platforms10.5Indoor sports halls and arenas10.6Older and vulnerable people10.7Outdoor urban comfort10.8Urban heat island10.9Network of urban climate shelters10.10Case study: municipal climate shelter
11.1Control systems and sensors11.2Building management systems11.3Occupant-centred control11.4Machine learning for comfort11.5Wearables for personal comfort11.6Comfort and energy indicators11.7Maintenance and commissioning11.8Communication with occupants11.9Climate adaptation plans11.10Workshop: occupant-centred control strategy
12.1Thermal case study12.2Characterisation of the environment12.3Measurements and surveys12.4Modelling and simulation12.5Assessment with standardised indices12.6Improvement proposal12.7Energy and cost analysis12.8Verification of improvements after the intervention12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online learning on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is EnergyPlus, DesignBuilder, ANSYS Fluent, CBE Thermal Comfort Tool and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: microclimate measurements in buildings and plants, thermal manikin tests and post-occupancy comfort surveys. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 7730, ISO 7726, ISO 7243, ISO 7933, ISO 11079, EN 16798-1, ASHRAE 55, Royal Decree 486/1997.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
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.
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 EnergyPlus, DesignBuilder, ANSYS Fluent, CBE Thermal Comfort Tool 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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