Introduction

The document presents a structured and adaptable curriculum for Bachelor and Master level studies in Safe Autonomous Vehicles (SafeAV), with a strong focus on Verification and Validation (V&V) of autonomous systems. The framework serves as a foundation that higher education institutions can adapt and expand when designing their own study modules or programmes related to the safety, reliability, and governance of autonomous technologies.

The curriculum follows a modular structure combining theoretical foundations, applied engineering knowledge, and hands-on experimentation. It is supported by two complementary educational resources developed within the SafeAV project:

• SafeAV Book – provides the theoretical and methodological background, including system architectures, sensing, software, and formal V&V methods.
• SafeAV Hands-on Guide – offers practical laboratory and simulation exercises that allow students to perform verification and validation tasks using real and virtual autonomous platforms.

Together, these three components form a coherent learning ecosystem that bridges theory, simulation, and experimental validation in safe autonomy.

The SafeAV curriculum is built from six core modules that appear at both Bachelor and Master study levels. Each topic therefore exists in two complementary parts:

• Part 1 (Bachelor level) – introduces the fundamental principles, technologies, and system interactions. Emphasis is on conceptual understanding, component function, and system-level awareness.
• Part 2 (Master level) – deepens the focus toward Verification and Validation (V&V), including analytical, experimental, and regulatory methods used to demonstrate safety, reliability, and trustworthiness.

For example, in Hardware and Sensing Technologies Part 1, students learn sensor types, signal processing basics, and data acquisition. In Part 2, they perform calibration, fault analysis, redundancy testing, and scenario-based validation using V&V tools and simulation environments. This two-stage progression ensures continuity between study cycles and supports lifelong learning paths in autonomous vehicle engineering.

The undergraduate programme introduces the building blocks of autonomous systems and their relation to safety assurance. Six modules (1 ECTS each) provide foundational knowledge of vehicle architecture, autonomy levels, sensing, computing, software systems, and human–machine interaction. Within each module, students learn the basic principles of verification and testing as part of responsible engineering.

Modules – Part 1:

• Autonomous Vehicles
• Hardware and Sensing Technologies
• Software Systems and Middleware
• Perception, Mapping, and Localization
• Control, Planning, and Decision-Making
• Human–Machine Communication

Each module combines reading assignments from the SafeAV Book with laboratory or simulation tasks from the Hands-on Guide — for instance, sensor calibration, perception benchmarking, or control-loop validation. The full programme equals 6 ECTS, yet the modular design allows partial adoption according to institutional needs.

The Master’s programme extends these same thematic areas into Part 2 modules that focus on V&V and governance of autonomy. Students explore how system safety is demonstrated through structured testing, scenario generation, formal verification, and compliance with standards such as ISO 26262, SOTIF, and UL 4600. The modules align directly with the advanced chapters of the SafeAV Book (e.g., 2.7–2.9 and 8 “Autonomy Validation Tools”) and the experimental work described in the Hands-on Guide.

Modules – Part 2:

• Hardware and Sensing Technologies (Validation and Reliability)
• Software Systems and Middleware (Safety and Verification)
• Perception, Mapping, and Localization (Scenario-based Testing)
• Control, Planning, and Decision-Making (Formal and Simulation-backed Validation)
• Human–Machine Communication (HMI Safety and V&V)
• Autonomy Verification and Validation Tools (Integrated Frameworks and Methods)

Students build complete validation pipelines from model design to field testing, using digital twins and simulation tools. The progression mirrors the V-model lifecycle introduced in the book — from design to verification, validation, and governance.

Each module description follows a unified format:

• Study level – Bachelor (Part 1) or Master (Part 2)
• ECTS credits – typically 1 ECTS per module
• Study form – classroom, online, or hybrid
• Module aims – key goals linked to SafeAV V&V competences
• Pre-requirements – expected background knowledge
• Learning outcomes – knowledge, skills, and competences in autonomy assurance
• Topics – detailed contents aligned with the SafeAV Book and Hands-on Guide
• Type of assessment – theoretical and practical, including validation tasks
• Learning methods – lectures, digital content, simulations, and lab work
• AI involvement – use of AI tools for scenario generation and model validation
• References to literature – chapters and open resources from the Book
• Lab equipment / Virtual lab – local and remote SafeAV experiments
• MOOC course – open-access links for global learners

This two-level modular framework guarantees a consistent learning pathway — from understanding how autonomy works at the Bachelor level to proving that it works safely at the Master level. It reflects the overall aim of the SafeAV project: harmonising education in autonomous vehicle safety through the integration of theoretical insight, validation methodology, and practical experimentation.

The SafeAV curriculum directly supports the Erasmus+ project framework defined in WP2 and WP3. Within WP2 (Syllabus structure and new learning methods), Tasks T2.3–T2.5 define the creation of this modular syllabus and its integration with innovative learning approaches such as AI-supported assistants for personalised study and V&V simulation feedback (linked to KPIs 2.3–2.5). Within WP3 (Educational digital content), the same module topics are expanded into open-access digital learning materials, e-book chapters, and MOOC-based pilot courses (KPIs 3.2–3.8). The Book provides the theoretical backbone of each module, while the Hands-on Guide enables reproducible laboratory validation. Together, they ensure that the SafeAV curriculum is not only educationally consistent but also experimentally verifiable and aligned with European standards of autonomous vehicle safety assurance.