Postgraduate Diploma in Coastal Dynamics and Coastal Protection
Online 800-hour postgraduate diploma in coastal dynamics and coastal protection. 8 modules covering Spain's Coastal Law 22/1988, Royal Decree 876/2014 (General Coastal Regulation) and SWAN. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the oceanographic processes acting on the coast.
Model wave propagation towards the coast.
Calculate longshore and cross-shore sediment transport.
Analyse coastal erosion using morphological models.
Design rigid coastal protection works.
Plan beach nourishment and nature-based solutions.
Develop a coastal protection project applying integrated management criteria.
Who it's for
- Coastal engineer seeking to specialise in Coastal Dynamics and Coastal Protection.
- Coastal dynamics modeller seeking to specialise in Coastal Dynamics and Coastal Protection.
- Integrated coastal zone management technician seeking to specialise in Coastal Dynamics and Coastal Protection.
- Coastal protection consultant seeking to specialise in Coastal Dynamics and Coastal Protection.
- Coastal oceanographer seeking to specialise in Coastal Dynamics and Coastal Protection.
- Beach nourishment designer seeking to specialise in Coastal Dynamics and Coastal Protection.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter coastal administration.
What you'll work with
- Law 22/1988 of Coasts
- Royal Decree 876/2014 (General Coastal Regulation)
- ROM 1.0-09 (Water Dams)
- ROM 0.0-01 (General Marine Works Procedure)
- GIZC Protocol of the Mediterranean (2008)
- Directive 2007/60/EC (Flood Risks)
- Directive 2014/89/EU (Maritime Space Management)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Astronomical and meteorological tides1.2Linear wave theory1.3Wind-generated waves1.4JONSWAP and Pierson-Moskowitz spectra1.5Mean and extreme wave climate1.6Coastal currents1.7Sea level and storm surge1.8Sea level rise and projections1.9Reanalysis and buoy databases1.10Practice: extreme wave climate using buoy data
2.1Shoaling and refraction2.2Diffraction around obstacles2.3Wave breaking2.4Dissipation and reflection2.5SWAN spectral propagation models2.6Phase-resolving models2.7Wave propagation in ports2.8Harbour agitation2.9Reconstruction of time series in shallow water2.10Workshop: wave propagation with SWAN
3.1Properties of coastal sediments3.2Longshore transport and the CERC formula3.3Cross-shore transport3.4Dean equilibrium profile3.5Depth of closure3.6Equilibrium beach planform3.7Sediment budget of a physiographic unit3.8River inputs and the effect of dams3.9Beach morphodynamics3.10Practice: calculating longshore transport on a beach
4.1Coastal erosion processes4.2Storm erosion4.3Sea level rise recession and the Bruun rule4.4Shoreline evolution models4.5XBeach storm model4.6SMC Coastal Modelling System4.7Remote sensing and coastal video4.8Topo-bathymetric monitoring4.9Coastal flood risk4.10Case study: erosion diagnosis of a coastal stretch
5.1Rubble-mound breakwaters5.2Hudson and Van der Meer formulae5.3Vertical breakwaters and the Goda formula5.4Overtopping and EurOtop formulae5.5Groynes and detached breakwaters5.6Revetments and seawalls5.7Submerged structures and artificial reefs5.8ROM maritime works recommendations5.9Failures of maritime works5.10Workshop: preliminary sizing of a rubble-mound breakwater
6.1Artificial beach nourishment6.2Selection of sand borrow sites6.3Service life and maintenance of nourishments6.4Dune restoration6.5Sediment bypassing at ports6.6Nature-based solutions6.7Managed retreat6.8Combining hard and soft works6.9Environmental monitoring of interventions6.10Practice: designing a beach nourishment
7.1Coastal Law 22/1988 and Law 2/20137.2Maritime-terrestrial public domain7.3Spanish coastal adaptation strategy7.4Integrated coastal zone management protocol7.5Environmental impact assessment of works7.6Floods Directive 2007/60/EC7.7Land use management and tourism7.8Stakeholder participation7.9Maritime spatial planning7.10Case study: adaptation strategy for a coastal municipality
8.1Characterisation of the wave climate8.2Wave propagation to the site8.3Morphodynamic diagnosis8.4Development of alternatives8.5Design of the selected solution8.6Stability and overtopping verification8.7Impact study and approval procedure8.8Budget and monitoring plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SWAN, XBeach, Delft3D, MIKE 21, SMC (Coastal Modelling System), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures from wave flume tests, topo-bathymetric surveys of beaches, shoreline monitoring by video and satellite imagery. 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.
Explain the oceanographic processes acting on the coast.
Model wave propagation towards the coast.
Calculate longshore and cross-shore sediment transport.
Analyse coastal erosion using morphological models.
Design rigid coastal protection works.
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 Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
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 amounts to an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with SWAN, XBeach, Delft3D, MIKE 21, SMC (Coastal Modelling System). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Postgraduate Diploma in Motion Capture and Haptic Feedback
Online Postgraduate Diploma of 800 h in Motion Capture and Haptic Feedback. 8 modules covering ISO 9241-910 (touch and haptic interaction, framework), ISO 9241-920 (guidance on…
Postgraduate Diploma in Numerical Protection and PTP Synchronisation
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Numerical Protection and PTP Synchronisation. 8 modules covering IEEE 1588-2019 (Precision Time Protocol, PTP), IEC/IEEE 61850-9-3 (PTP profile for network automation)…
Postgraduate Diploma in ROV/AUV and Underwater Operations
800-hour online Postgraduate Diploma in ROV/AUV and Underwater Operations. 8 modules covering IMCA R 004 (code of practice for ROV operations), ISO 13628-8 (ROV interfaces in…
More in Naval, Offshore & Sports Nautical
All Naval, Offshore & Sports Nautical programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships