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CourseDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Enrolment open

Practical GPS Navigation Workshop Course

Online 300-hour course in practical GPS navigation workshop. 6 modules covering NMEA 0183 (GNSS receiver data protocol), GPX 1.1 (GPS data exchange format) and QGIS. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeHybrid
LanguageEnglish / Spanish
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the fundamentals of cartography, coordinates and datums before using the receiver.

02

Configure a GPS receiver with the appropriate coordinate system.

03

Create and manage waypoints, routes and tracks.

04

Navigate across terrain by combining receiver, map and compass.

05

Use cartographic tools to prepare and analyse routes.

06

Resolve incidents such as signal loss or datum errors.

07

Plan a complete route with safety criteria and respect for the natural environment.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Off-road route guide wishing to specialise in Practical GPS Navigation Workshop.
  • Active tourism technician wishing to specialise in Practical GPS Navigation Workshop.
  • Rally raid navigator wishing to specialise in Practical GPS Navigation Workshop.
  • Forestry field technician wishing to specialise in Practical GPS Navigation Workshop.
  • Field surveying technician wishing to specialise in Practical GPS Navigation Workshop.
  • Outdoor activities instructor wishing to specialise in Practical GPS Navigation Workshop.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter active tourism.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • NMEA 0183 (GNSS receiver data protocol)
  • GPX 1.1 (GPS data exchange format)
  • WGS 84 (World Geodetic System)
  • Royal Decree 1071/2007 (official geodetic reference system in Spain, ETRS89)
  • ISO 6709 (representation of geographic coordinates)
  • Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Reference systems and datums
  2. 1.2Geographic coordinates and UTM
  3. 1.3Bearings, azimuths and declination
  4. 1.4Distances and scales
  5. 1.5Precision, accuracy and error
  6. 1.6Available GNSS constellations
  7. 1.7Factors that degrade the signal
  8. 1.8When GPS is not enough
  9. 1.9Workshop materials
  10. 1.10Workshop: converting coordinates by hand
  1. 2.1Receiver and antenna types
  2. 2.2Datum and format configuration
  3. 2.3Unit and bearing settings
  4. 2.4Power management and battery life
  5. 2.5Mounting in vehicle and hand-held
  6. 2.6Protection against dust and water
  7. 2.7Firmware and mapping updates
  8. 2.8Equipment checks before departure
  9. 2.9Backup equipment
  10. 2.10Practice: commissioning a receiver
  1. 3.1Creating and editing waypoints
  2. 3.2Naming and organisation
  3. 3.3Building routes
  4. 3.4Recording and using tracks
  5. 3.5Importing and exporting data
  6. 3.6Exchange formats
  7. 3.7Backups
  8. 3.8Upload errors and their detection
  9. 3.9Cross-checking data
  10. 3.10Practice: preparing a complete route
  1. 4.1Navigating to a waypoint
  2. 4.2Interpreting bearing and distance
  3. 4.3Correcting deviations
  4. 4.4Leg-by-leg navigation and handovers
  5. 4.5Combined use with map and compass
  6. 4.6Navigation in low visibility
  7. 4.7Navigation by vehicle and on foot
  8. 4.8Time and pace management
  9. 4.9Team communication
  10. 4.10Practice: guided field route
  1. 5.1Topographic maps and how to read them
  2. 5.2Satellite imagery and its interpretation
  3. 5.3Elevation models
  4. 5.4Desktop software and apps
  5. 5.5Pre-route cartographic preparation
  6. 5.6Printing and paper backup
  7. 5.7Odometer and co-driving
  8. 5.8Road book and its use
  9. 5.9Integrating information sources
  10. 5.10Practice: cartographic dossier for a route
  1. 6.1Route plan and notifying third parties
  2. 6.2Loss of signal and procedures
  3. 6.3Equipment failure and alternatives
  4. 6.4Positioning for an evacuation
  5. 6.5Emergency communication
  6. 6.6Activity logging
  7. 6.7Environmental respect rules
  8. 6.8Common navigation errors
  9. 6.9Post-route review
  10. 6.10Final project: planning and executing a navigation
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which allows it to be combined with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is QGIS, Garmin BaseCamp, OruxMaps, Google Earth Pro, OsmAnd, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for waypoint navigation routes, map and receiver orientation practice, and route planning in the office. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry-mentored:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Route plan and notifying third parties

Explain the fundamentals of cartography, coordinates and datums before using the receiver.

Loss of signal and procedures

Configure a GPS receiver with the appropriate coordinate system.

Equipment failure and alternatives

Create and manage waypoints, routes and tracks.

Positioning for an evacuation

Navigate across terrain by combining receiver, map and compass.

Emergency communication

Use cartographic tools to prepare and analyse routes.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Off-road route guideActive tourism technicianRally raid navigatorForestry field technicianField surveying technicianOutdoor activities instructor
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient command of 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.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.

The course works with QGIS, Garmin BaseCamp, OruxMaps, Google Earth Pro, OsmAnd. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

SEIUM's 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 can be credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.

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