Postgraduate Diploma in Flood Risk Mapping and Flood Defence
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Flood Risk Mapping and Flood Defence. 8 modules covering Directive 2007/60/CE (assessment and management of flood risks), Royal Decree 903/2010 (assessment and management of flood risks) and HEC-RAS. 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
Estimate flood flows using hydrological methods.
Model the hydraulic behaviour of channels and floodplains.
Produce flood hazard maps.
Produce risk maps combining hazard and exposure.
Design structural flood defences.
Propose non-structural measures and nature-based solutions.
Draft a flood risk management plan.
Who it's for
- Hydraulic engineer looking to specialise in Flood Risk Mapping and Flood Defence.
- Flood risk management technician looking to specialise in Flood Risk Mapping and Flood Defence.
- GIS specialist in natural hazards looking to specialise in Flood Risk Mapping and Flood Defence.
- Consultant for river defence works looking to specialise in Flood Risk Mapping and Flood Defence.
- Technician at a river basin authority looking to specialise in Flood Risk Mapping and Flood Defence.
- Civil protection technician looking to specialise in Flood Risk Mapping and Flood Defence.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to join water authorities.
What you'll work with
- Directive 2007/60/CE (assessment and management of flood risks)
- Royal Decree 903/2010 (assessment and management of flood risks)
- Royal Decree 849/1986 (Regulation of the Public Hydraulic Domain)
- Directive 2000/60/CE (Water Framework Directive)
- Royal Decree 638/2016 (amendment to the Regulation of the Public Hydraulic Domain)
- Standard 5.2-IC (surface drainage)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Hydrological cycle and flooding1.2Design rainfall and IDF curves1.3Modified rational method1.4Unit hydrographs1.5HEC-HMS models1.6Flow frequency analysis1.7Gumbel and GEV distributions1.8Return periods and probability1.9Effect of climate change on flows1.10Practice: design hydrograph for a catchment
2.1Free-surface flow2.2Steady and gradually varied flow2.3Manning's coefficient2.41D modelling with HEC-RAS2.5Bridges and obstructions2.6Floodplains2.7Unsteady flow2.8Sediment transport during floods2.9Calibration with flood marks2.10Workshop: 1D model of a river reach
3.1Directive 2007/60/CE on floods3.2Royal Decree 903/20103.3National Flood Zone Mapping System3.4Hazard maps by return period3.5Water depths and velocities3.6Preferential flow zone3.7Public hydraulic domain3.8LiDAR digital terrain models3.9Combined coastal and fluvial flooding3.10Practice: delimiting the preferential flow zone
4.1Exposure: population and assets4.2Vulnerability of buildings4.3Damage curves4.4Expected annual damage4.5Risk to human life4.6Exposed critical infrastructure4.7Risk maps under Royal Decree 903/20104.8GIS analysis4.9Communicating risk to the public4.10Case study: expected annual damage in an urban area
5.1Levees and protective dykes5.2Channelling and canalisation5.3Flood-retention dams5.4Diversions and spillways5.5Walls and demountable defences5.6Embankment stability and seepage5.7Embankment failure and breaches5.8Cross-drainage works5.9Maintenance of defences5.10Workshop: verification of an earth embankment
6.1Land-use planning in flood-prone areas6.2Regulation of the Public Hydraulic Domain6.3River restoration as defence6.4Controlled flood zones6.5Green infrastructure6.6Adapting buildings to risk6.7Insurance and the Compensation Consortium6.8Civil protection for floods6.9Dam emergency plans6.10Practice: guide for adapting a home
7.1Preliminary flood risk assessment7.2Areas of potentially significant flood risk7.3Flood risk management plans7.4Programmes of measures7.5Cost-benefit analysis of measures7.6Coordination with river basin management plans7.7Public participation7.8Monitoring and review of cycles7.9Transboundary management7.10Case study: programme of measures for an ARPSI
8.1Reach selection and diagnosis8.2Hydrological study8.3Hydraulic modelling8.4Hazard and risk maps8.5Development of alternatives8.6Solution design8.7Cost-benefit analysis8.8Maintenance and emergency plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM 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, 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 HEC-RAS, Iber, HEC-HMS, QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The assignments are based on real procedures for two-dimensional hydraulic modelling, preparation of hazard maps and cost-benefit analysis of measures. 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.
Estimate flood flows using hydrological methods.
Model the hydraulic behaviour of channels and floodplains.
Produce flood hazard maps.
Produce risk maps combining hazard and exposure.
Design structural flood defences.
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 consists of 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours a week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses HEC-RAS, Iber, HEC-HMS, QGIS and ArcGIS Pro. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An in-house SEIUM Institute diploma on passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This 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 enrolling.
Related programmes
Postgraduate Diploma in Traceability, Port IT and Single Window
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Traceability, Port IT and Single Window. 8 modules covering Regulation (EU) 2019/1239 (European Maritime Single Window Environment), Directive 2010/65/EU (reporting formalities…
Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management and Coastal Water Quality
800-hour online Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management and Coastal Water Quality. 8 modules covering Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive), Directive 2008/56/EC (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) and…
Diploma in Contract & Change Management in Infrastructure
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in contract and change management in infrastructure. 8 modules covering contract management, contractual change, configuration management, valuation and negotiation of…
More in Civil, Rail & Smart Cities
All Civil, Rail & Smart Cities programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships