Postgraduate Diploma in Dredging, Bathymetry and Materials Management
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Dredging, Bathymetry and Materials Management. 8 modules covering IHO S-44 (standards for hydrographic surveys), the 1972 London Convention and 1996 Protocol (sea dumping), and Hypack. 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
Plan bathymetric surveys in accordance with the IHO S-44 standard.
Process multibeam echosounder data and generate seabed models.
Geotechnically characterise the sediments to be dredged.
Select dredging equipment and methods according to material and site.
Design maintenance and initial-establishment port dredging projects.
Classify dredged material and define its disposal or recovery route.
Prepare an environmental monitoring plan for the dredging works.
Who it's for
- Hydrographer wishing to specialise in Dredging, Bathymetry and Materials Management.
- Dredging engineer wishing to specialise in Dredging, Bathymetry and Materials Management.
- Ports and coastal engineer wishing to specialise in Dredging, Bathymetry and Materials Management.
- Marine environmental monitoring technician wishing to specialise in Dredging, Bathymetry and Materials Management.
- Marine geotechnical specialist wishing to specialise in Dredging, Bathymetry and Materials Management.
- Maritime works site manager wishing to specialise in Dredging, Bathymetry and Materials Management.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to join port authorities.
What you'll work with
- IHO S-44 (standards for hydrographic surveys)
- London Convention 1972 and 1996 Protocol (sea dumping)
- Guidelines for the characterisation of dredged material and its relocation (ICES, 2015)
- ROM 0.5-05 (geotechnical recommendations for maritime works)
- Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive)
- OSPAR Guidelines for the management of dredged material
- UNE-EN ISO 14688-1 (identification and classification of soils)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Vertical datums and reduction to chart datum1.2Survey orders according to IHO S-441.3Single-beam echosounders: principle and calibration1.4Multibeam systems: geometry and coverage1.5GNSS RTK and PPK positioning1.6Motion sensors and attitude correction1.7Sound velocity profiles1.8Tide gauges and tidal models1.9Total propagated uncertainty (TPU)1.10Practical: planning a port multibeam survey
2.1Processing workflow in CARIS HIPS and Qimera2.2Data cleaning and spurious data filtering2.3CUBE algorithm and uncertainty surfaces2.4Digital seabed models2.5Volume calculation between surfaces2.6Obstruction and object detection2.7Backscatter and seabed classification2.8Side-scan sonar and interpretation2.9S-57 and S-102 chart products2.10Workshop: dredged volume between two surveys
3.1Soil classification for dredging according to PIANC3.2Grain size, plasticity and organic matter3.3In-situ tests: CPT and vibrocore3.4High-resolution sub-bottom profiling3.5In-situ density and bulking factor3.6Rock and difficult-to-dredge materials3.7Chemical sediment sampling3.8Interpretation of stratigraphic profiles3.9Geotechnical report for tender3.10Case study: geotechnical model of an approach channel
4.1Trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHD)4.2Cutter suction dredgers (CSD): cutterhead and output4.3Grab, backhoe and bucket-ladder dredgers4.4Dredge pumps and their performance curves4.5Hydraulic transport and critical velocity4.6Hopper barges, discharge and bow unloading4.7Work cycles and output estimation4.8Equipment selection by soil and environment4.9Precision dredging and environmental dredging4.10Workshop: hourly output of a TSHD
5.1Navigation channels: PIANC WG 121 and ROM 3.15.2Draught, under-keel clearance and squat5.3Dredged slopes and their stability5.4Overdredging and payment tolerances5.5Sedimentation rates and maintenance5.6Modelling siltation in harbour basins5.7Measurement and certification of works5.8FIDIC contracts and geotechnical risk5.9Sequencing and works scheduling5.10Case study: design of an approach channel
6.1CEDEX guidelines for dredged materials6.2London Convention and OSPAR Convention6.3Action levels and chemical quality6.4Sea disposal: site selection and control6.5Beach regeneration and nourishment6.6Land reclamation and fill6.7Confined disposal facilities and consolidation6.8Dewatering and geotextile tubes6.9Beneficial use and circular economy6.10Case study: management of contaminated sediment
7.1Turbidity and sediment plumes7.2Plume modelling and dispersion7.3Effects on seagrass meadows7.4Underwater noise and marine fauna7.5Environmental windows and seasonal restrictions7.6Environmental monitoring programme7.7Buoys and real-time sensors7.8Environmental impact assessment7.9Alert thresholds and corrective measures7.10Workshop: turbidity monitoring network
8.1Scope and site constraints8.2Hydrographic survey plan8.3Geotechnical and chemical characterisation8.4Dredging geometric design8.5Equipment selection and output8.6Materials management plan8.7Environmental monitoring and budget8.8Works programme and risks8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 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, making it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Hypack, CARIS HIPS and SIPS, QGIS, Delft3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for multibeam echosounder surveys, sediment sampling and characterisation, and turbidity monitoring during dredging. Assessment is continuous by 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.
Plan bathymetric surveys in accordance with the IHO S-44 standard.
Process multibeam echosounder data and generate seabed models.
Geotechnically characterise the sediments to be dredged.
Select dredging equipment and methods according to material and site.
Design maintenance and initial-establishment port dredging projects.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is 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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses Hypack, CARIS HIPS and SIPS, QGIS, Delft3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own SEIUM diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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