Postgraduate Diploma in Automation and Control in Water Plants
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Automation and Control in Water Plants. 8 modules covering IEC 61131-3 (PLC programming languages), IEC 62443 (industrial control system cybersecurity) and Siemens TIA Portal. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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
Select instrumentation for water treatment processes.
Design control loops for plant processes.
Programme PLCs in accordance with IEC 61131-3.
Configure SCADA and telecontrol systems.
Implement reliable industrial communications.
Apply cybersecurity measures in accordance with IEC 62443.
Develop an automation project for a water plant.
Who it's for
- Automation engineer who wishes to specialise in Automation and Control in Water Plants.
- PLC and SCADA programmer who wishes to specialise in Automation and Control in Water Plants.
- Process control engineer who wishes to specialise in Automation and Control in Water Plants.
- Instrumentation technician who wishes to specialise in Automation and Control in Water Plants.
- Industrial cybersecurity specialist who wishes to specialise in Automation and Control in Water Plants.
- Plant operations manager who wishes to specialise in Automation and Control in Water Plants.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter water management.
What you'll work with
- IEC 61131-3 (PLC programming languages)
- IEC 62443 (industrial control system cybersecurity)
- Directive (EU) 2022/2555 (NIS2)
- ISA-5.1 (instrumentation symbols)
- IEC 60870-5-104 (telecontrol)
- ISA-88 (batch control)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Electromagnetic and ultrasonic flowmeters1.2Level measurement by radar and ultrasound1.3Pressure sensors and transmitters1.4pH, redox and conductivity analysers1.5Optical dissolved oxygen1.6Ammonium, nitrate and phosphate analysers1.7Turbidimeters and residual chlorine1.8Probe calibration and maintenance1.94-20 mA and HART signals1.10Practical: specification of instruments for a DWTP
2.1Control loops and P&ID diagrams2.2PID controllers and tuning2.3Cascade and feedforward control2.4Level control in tanks2.5Pressure control in pumping stations2.6Variable frequency drives on pumps2.7Reagent dosing control2.8Dissolved oxygen control in biological reactors2.9Loop stability and robustness2.10Workshop: tuning a level PID loop
3.1PLC architecture3.2Programming in accordance with IEC 61131-33.3Ladder diagrams and structured text3.4Reusable function blocks3.5Alarm management in the PLC3.6Start-up and shutdown sequences3.7CPU and I/O redundancy3.8Simulation and FAT testing3.9Software documentation3.10Laboratory: programming a pumping station
4.1Centralised and distributed SCADA architecture4.2Screen design per ISA-1014.3Alarm management per ISA-18.24.4Historians and process databases4.5Telecontrol of remote tanks and pumping stations4.6Remote terminal units (RTUs)4.7Radio, fibre and 4G communications4.8Automated operational reports4.9Integration with GIS and asset management4.10Practical: designing SCADA screens for a WWTP
5.1Modbus TCP and RTU5.2PROFINET and EtherNet/IP5.3OPC UA and information models5.4DNP3 and IEC 60870-5-104 in telecontrol5.5MQTT in IIoT architectures5.6Network topologies and redundant rings5.7Segmentation of plant networks5.8Communications diagnostics5.9Interoperability between manufacturers5.10Workshop: integrating a PLC via OPC UA
6.1Threats to critical water infrastructure6.2IEC 62443 series on industrial security6.3Zones and conduits6.4Directive (EU) 2022/2555 NIS26.5Law 8/2011 on critical infrastructure6.6Remote access control6.7Patch and vulnerability management6.8Incident response6.9Lessons from the Oldsmar incident6.10Case study: risk analysis of a SCADA network
7.1Model-based predictive control7.2Soft sensors7.3Energy optimisation of pumping7.4Pressure management in networks7.5Coagulation control using data models7.6Plant digital twins7.7Machine learning in operations7.8Control performance indicators7.9Commissioning and validation7.10Practical: optimising pump scheduling
8.1Process description and scope8.2P&ID diagrams and instrumentation8.3Control philosophy8.4Control architecture and communications8.5PLC programming8.6SCADA and alarm design8.7Cybersecurity plan8.8FAT and SAT testing8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake period, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Siemens TIA Portal, AVEVA InTouch, Ignition, MATLAB/Simulink, Wireshark, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real PLC programming procedures on the bench, control loop simulation and OT cybersecurity audits. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Select instrumentation for water treatment processes.
Design control loops for plant processes.
Programme PLCs in accordance with IEC 61131-3.
Configure SCADA and telecontrol systems.
Implement reliable industrial communications.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 consists of 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
Work is carried out with Siemens TIA Portal, AVEVA InTouch, Ignition, MATLAB/Simulink, Wireshark. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Please check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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