Postgraduate Diploma in FE Modelling of Head and Neck Applied to Sport
800-hour online Postgraduate Diploma in FE Modelling of Head and Neck Applied to Sport. 8 modules covering EN 1078 (cycling helmets), EN 1077 (ski helmets) and LS-DYNA. 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
Relate head and neck anatomy to injury mechanisms.
Analyse the biomechanics of linear and rotational impacts.
Characterise biological materials using appropriate constitutive models.
Build finite element models of the head from medical imaging.
Model the neck with its muscular and ligamentous behaviour.
Evaluate protective equipment through simulation and injury criteria.
Apply FE modelling to impact cases across different sports.
Who it's for
- Impact biomechanics engineer who wants to specialise in FE Modelling of Head and Neck Applied to Sport.
- Finite element analyst who wants to specialise in FE Modelling of Head and Neck Applied to Sport.
- Sports protective equipment designer who wants to specialise in FE Modelling of Head and Neck Applied to Sport.
- Researcher in brain injuries who wants to specialise in FE Modelling of Head and Neck Applied to Sport.
- Helmet testing engineer who wants to specialise in FE Modelling of Head and Neck Applied to Sport.
- Sports safety specialist who wants to specialise in FE Modelling of Head and Neck Applied to Sport.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the sports equipment sector.
What you'll work with
- EN 1078 (cycling helmets)
- EN 1077 (ski helmets)
- NOCSAE ND002 (American football helmets)
- UNECE Regulation No. 22 (motorcycle helmets)
- ISO 6220 (headforms for helmets)
- FMVSS 208 (head injury criterion HIC)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Anatomy of the skull, brain and meninges1.2Cervical spine: vertebrae, discs and ligaments1.3Cervical musculature and stabilisation1.4Mechanisms of concussion1.5Diffuse axonal injury1.6Haematomas and skull fractures1.7Impact and whiplash cervical injuries1.8Epidemiology in contact sports1.9Clinical criteria for concussion: SCAT61.10Case study: analysis of impacts in rugby
2.1Linear and rotational accelerations2.2Injury criteria: HIC and GAMBIT2.3BrIC criterion for brain rotation2.4Cervical criteria: Nij and NIC2.5Injury risk curves2.6Pulse duration and frequency2.7Impact sensors: instrumented mouthguards2.8Validation of impact sensors2.9Impact reconstruction using video2.10Laboratory: calculation of HIC and BrIC using mouthguard data
3.1Properties of the cranial bone3.2Hyperelastic behaviour of brain tissue3.3Viscoelasticity and Ogden models3.4Cerebrospinal fluid and its modelling3.5Properties of cervical ligaments and discs3.6Active and passive muscle in the neck3.7Experimental tissue data3.8Strain rate dependency3.9Uncertainty in material properties3.10Practice: fitting a hyperelastic model to test data
4.1Reference models: THUMS, GHBMC and KTH4.2SIMon model and other simplified models4.3Geometry generation from medical imaging4.4Meshing of complex structures4.5Skull–brain interfaces4.6Deformation metrics: MPS and CSDM4.7Validation with Hardy's cadaver data4.8Explicit solvers: LS-DYNA and Abaqus4.9Computational costs and simplifications4.10Laboratory: simulation of a frontal impact with a head model
5.1FE models of the cervical spine5.2Multibody versus FE models5.3Muscle activation in the impact response5.4Head–neck–torso interaction5.5Validation with volunteer tests5.6Simulation of whiplash and flexion5.7Cervical injury in tackles and scrums5.8Injuries in motorsport5.9Personalisation by sex and age5.10Practice: cervical response with and without muscle activation
6.1Helmet design and materials6.2EPS and EPP foams and energy-absorbing structures6.3Rotation reduction systems: MIPS6.4Helmet standards: EN 1077 and NOCSAE6.5Helmet test protocols with oblique impact6.6STAR evaluations by Virginia Tech6.7FE simulation of helmets6.8Neck protectors and collars6.9Helmet design optimisation6.10Case study: virtual comparison of two cycling helmets
7.1Reconstruction of real impacts in competition7.2Data-based regulation of game rules7.3Return-to-play protocols7.4Cumulative exposure to sub-concussive impacts7.5Differences between sports7.6Women's and youth sport7.7Cervical strengthening as prevention7.8Risk communication to federations7.9Ethics of using athlete data7.10Practice: FE reconstruction of an American football impact
8.1Definition of the sporting scenario8.2Collection of impact data8.3Selection and adaptation of the FE model8.4Assignment of materials and conditions8.5Impact simulation8.6Evaluation of injury criteria8.7Sensitivity analysis and validation8.8Preventive or protective proposal8.9Report 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 LS-DYNA, Abaqus, Simpleware ScanIP, THUMS (human model), MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real impact test procedures with an instrumented headform, validation against cadaver data from the literature, and reconstruction of sports impacts recorded on video. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Relate head and neck anatomy to injury mechanisms.
Analyse the biomechanics of linear and rotational impacts.
Characterise biological materials using appropriate constitutive models.
Build finite element models of the head from medical imaging.
Model the neck with its muscular and ligamentous behaviour.
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 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 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 programme uses LS-DYNA, Abaqus, Simpleware ScanIP, THUMS (human model) and MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative 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 credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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