CourseNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical Applications open

Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation Course

Online 300-hour course in instrumentation for wave tank testing. 6 modules covering ITTC 7.5-02-07-02.1 Seakeeping Experiments, ITTC 7.5-02-07-03.1 Floating Offshore Platform Experiments and NI LabVIEW. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Learn about wave testing facilities and how they operate.

02

Select suitable sensors for waves, motions and loads.

03

Calibrate instruments following recognised procedures.

04

Design reliable data acquisition systems.

05

Process recordings and obtain transfer functions.

06

Estimate the measurement uncertainty of a test.

07

Plan the complete instrumentation of a tank test.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Laboratory instrumentation technician who wants to specialise in Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation.
  • Hydrodynamic test engineer who wants to specialise in Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation.
  • Wave tank manager who wants to specialise in Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation.
  • Data acquisition engineer who wants to specialise in Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation.
  • Ocean engineering researcher who wants to specialise in Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation.
  • Laboratory quality engineer who wants to specialise in Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter towing tanks and experimental basins.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ITTC 7.5-02-07-02.1 Seakeeping Experiments
  • ITTC 7.5-02-07-03.1 Floating Offshore Platform Experiments
  • ITTC 7.5-01-03-01 Uncertainty Analysis — Instrument Calibration
  • ITTC 7.5-02-07-01.1 Laboratory Modelling of Waves
  • JCGM 100:2008 Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM)
  • ISO/IEC 17025 Requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
  • ITTC 7.5-02-07-02.3 Experiments on Rarely Occurring Events
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Wave tanks, channels and multidirectional basins
  2. 1.2Flap and piston wave generators
  3. 1.3Absorbing beaches and active absorption
  4. 1.4Regular, irregular and focused waves
  5. 1.5JONSWAP and Pierson-Moskowitz spectra
  6. 1.6Froude scaling and scale effects
  7. 1.7Wave calibration without a model
  8. 1.8Current and wind in the basin
  9. 1.9Limitations of tank size
  10. 1.10Practical case: generating a JONSWAP sea in the tank
  1. 2.1Resistive and capacitive wave probes
  2. 2.2Ultrasonic and radar probes
  3. 2.3Optical motion capture systems
  4. 2.4Inertial measurement units (IMU)
  5. 2.5Accelerometers and gyroscopes
  6. 2.6Static and dynamic calibration
  7. 2.7Sensor synchronisation
  8. 2.8Positioning and effect on the flow
  9. 2.9Systematic errors and drift
  10. 2.10Workshop: calibrating a wave probe
  1. 3.1Load cells and multicomponent dynamometers
  2. 3.2Strain gauges on models
  3. 3.3Impact pressure transducers
  4. 3.4Stress measurement in mooring lines
  5. 3.5Propeller and rudder dynamometers
  6. 3.6Segmented models with balances
  7. 3.7Sensor frequency response
  8. 3.8Temperature compensation
  9. 3.9Water protection for sensors
  10. 3.10Practical: assembling a strain gauge bridge
  1. 4.1Signal conditioning and amplification
  2. 4.2Sampling frequency and the Nyquist theorem
  3. 4.3Anti-aliasing filters and their configuration
  4. 4.4Analogue-to-digital conversion and resolution
  5. 4.5Cabling, noise and earthing
  6. 4.6Wireless telemetry on free-running models
  7. 4.7Acquisition and control software
  8. 4.8Data management and format
  9. 4.9Test plan and quality control
  10. 4.10Laboratory: acquisition chain for a wave test
  1. 5.1Statistical analysis of time series
  2. 5.2Spectra and transfer functions (RAO)
  3. 5.3Extreme value analysis
  4. 5.4Filtering and trend removal
  5. 5.5Impact peak detection
  6. 5.6Measurement uncertainty according to ITTC
  7. 5.7Test repeatability
  8. 5.8Extrapolation to full scale
  9. 5.9Presentation of results
  10. 5.10Practical case: pitch RAO from recordings
  1. 6.1Definition of objective and model
  2. 6.2Sensor selection and ranges
  3. 6.3Acquisition chain design
  4. 6.4Calibration plan
  5. 6.5Wave test matrix
  6. 6.6Data processing and RAO
  7. 6.7Uncertainty analysis
  8. 6.8Technical test report
  9. 6.9Written report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Fully 100% online training 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, making it easy to combine with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is NI LabVIEW, Qualisys Track Manager, MATLAB, DASYLab, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for calibrating wave probes and load cells, seakeeping testing with a free-running model, and impact pressure measurement on a model. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-focused Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:faculty with track records 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 core pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

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

Definition of objective and model

Learn about wave testing facilities and how they operate.

Sensor selection and ranges

Select suitable sensors for waves, motions and loads.

Acquisition chain design

Calibrate instruments following recognised procedures.

Calibration plan

Design reliable data acquisition systems.

Wave test matrix

Process recordings and obtain transfer functions.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Laboratory instrumentation technicianHydrodynamic test engineerWave tank managerData acquisition engineerOcean engineering researcherLaboratory quality engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

The course uses NI LabVIEW, Qualisys Track Manager, MATLAB and DASYLab. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

An SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is SEIUM's own training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

Wave Tank Testing Instrumentation CourseEnrol
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