TUTORED ONLINE COURSE

Online CFD Course with OpenFOAM

Learn to prepare, run, and analyze CFD simulations with OpenFOAM, from the fundamentals of discretization and meshing to solver configuration, convergence, parallel computing, and developing custom solutions.

DURATION

60 h.

FORMAT

Online (asynchronous)

NEXT START:

11/09/2026

Flexible start. The full access and tutoring period will start from the date you join.

ACCESS AND TUTORING

3 months

Access to the learning platform, videos, and tutor support during this period.

Course language:

Spanish and English

Interested in the course but not ready to enroll yet?

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400 €

Payment methods: card, bank transfer, and PayPal.

Secure card payment

COURSE OUTCOMES

What you will learn

By the end of the course, you will be able to apply this knowledge in real professional situations.

Understand the fundamentals of Computational Fluid Dynamics and the discretization process.
Install and use OpenFOAM on 64-bit operating systems.
Understand the complete structure of a simulation: preprocessing, solving, and postprocessing.
Identify and edit the main files and folders of an OpenFOAM case.
Run simulations and analyze their results.
Postprocess results with ParaView and other compatible tools.
Prepare geometries and generate meshes for CFD simulations.
Know the main solvers, tutorials, utilities, and libraries included in OpenFOAM.
Select appropriate discretization schemes and solution methods.
Configure PISO and SIMPLE algorithms and adjust relaxation factors.
Analyze convergence through residuals, mesh, time step, and numerical parameters.
Run simulations in parallel and leverage multiple processors.
Understand the internal structure of OpenFOAM solvers.
Modify existing solvers and develop custom solvers.
Solve exercises on flow, heat transfer, combustion, natural convection, and moving mesh.

The published content covers CFD, installation, postprocessing, meshing, physical models, discretization, parallelization, convergence, and solver development.

STUDENT PROFILE

Who this course is for

Training designed for professionals who need to interpret electrical documentation with greater confidence and autonomy.

Engineers and technical engineers.
Graduates in Industrial, Mechanical, Naval, Aerospace, Civil, Energy Engineering and related disciplines.
Graduates in Physics.
Professionals from technical offices and engineering departments.
Researchers and teaching staff.
Engineering and science students.
Professionals who need to perform fluid and heat transfer simulations.
Users interested in incorporating open-source CFD software into their projects.
Individuals who want to get started with OpenFOAM without prior experience in the program.

View the full syllabus

Download the course brochure with a summary of the information and the training syllabus.

WHAT YOU RECEIVE

What's included in the course

Everything you need to complete the course, including tutor support, learning materials, and final certification.

Access to the online campus for 3 months.
All material available from day one.
Eleven theoretical chapters.
Explanatory texts for OpenFOAM on Linux and Windows.
Eight basic-level practical exercises.
Seven intermediate-level exercises.
Manuals and exercises in English.
Cases on meshing, flow, heat transfer, combustion, and moving mesh.
Exercises on modifying and developing solvers.
Tutoring in Spanish or English.
Communication tools via messaging, forums, and other campus resources.
Online theoretical and practical assessments.
Accredited diploma upon successful completion of the course.

PROFESSIONAL APPLICATION

Where you will apply this knowledge

Skills applicable across different roles, departments, and industrial environments.

Simulation of internal and external flows.
Analysis of steady and transient flows.
Study of laminar and turbulent flows.
Simulation of heat transfer and natural convection.
Analysis of combustion and chemical reactions.
Simulation of multiphase flows.
Applications in engines and turbomachinery.
Aerodynamic and hydrodynamic studies.
Preparation and control of CFD meshes.
Postprocessing of pressure, velocity, temperature, residual, and force fields.
Running simulations in parallel.
Modification and development of custom solvers.
CFD applications in industrial, naval, energy, aerospace engineering, and research.

BEFORE YOU START

Prerequisites

Check whether you need prior knowledge or experience before starting the course.

No prior knowledge of OpenFOAM is required. It is recommended to have general fundamentals in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, numerical methods, or engineering to make the most of the training.

Important: the explanatory texts, manuals, and exercises of the course are in English. Inquiries to the instructors can be made in either Spanish or English.

To follow the course, a 64-bit operating system is required. The training uses the official version of OpenFOAM distributed through OpenFOAM.com; other distributions or derivative versions are not covered.

COURSE INSTRUCTOR

Mª Isabel Lamas Galdo

Computational Fluid Dynamics · OpenFOAM · Thermal and Energy Engineering · Numerical Simulation

Doctor of Industrial Engineering from the Universidade da Coruña. She has professional experience in engineering projects and, since 2008, has been a professor at the Escuela Politécnica Superior of the Universidade da Coruña, teaching in Industrial Engineering and Naval Engineering. She is the author of several books and numerous scientific articles and has participated as a speaker at national and international conferences. In this course, she has specialized teaching support in CFD and OpenFOAM.

Training delivered by a professional with real industry experience.

CONTENTS

Course syllabus

Chapter 1. Computational Fluid Dynamics — CFD

Introduction.
Discretization process.
Domain discretization.
Discretization of governing equations.
Solution of discretized equations.
Relaxation factors.

Chapter 2. Introduction to OpenFOAM

Introduction to the OpenFOAM environment.
Installation on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Structure of a simulation.
Preprocessing.
Solving.
Postprocessing.
Main files and folders.
Foldertutorials.
Foldersolvers.
Running a simulation.

Chapter 3. Postprocessing in OpenFOAM

Introduction to postprocessing.
Postprocessing with ParaView.
Postprocessing with other programs.

Chapter 4. Mesh Generation for OpenFOAM

Introduction.
CAD design.
Mesh generation.
Commercial meshing programs.
Free meshing programs.

Chapter 5. Physical Models Included in OpenFOAM

Introduction.
Solvers included in OpenFOAM.
Included tutorials.
Available utilities.
Available libraries.

Chapter 6. Discretization and Solution Schemes

Introduction.
Discretization schemes.
Temporal schemes.
Gradient schemes.
Divergence schemes.
Laplacian schemes.
Interpolation schemes.
Surface-normal gradient schemes.
Flux calculation.
Solution control.
Solver selection.
PISO and SIMPLE controls.
Relaxation factors.

Chapter 7. Parallelization in OpenFOAM

Introduction to parallel computing.
Mesh decomposition.
Running a solver in parallel.
Postprocessing of parallel simulations.

Chapter 8. Convergence in OpenFOAM

Introduction.
Graphical representation of residuals.
Mesh influence.
Time step influence.
Initial conditions.
Discretization schemes.
Relaxation factors.
Solver selection.

Chapter 9. Structure of an OpenFOAM Solver

Introduction.
Discretization of transport equations.
Discretization of differential operators.
General structure of a solver.
ExamplescalarTransportFoam.
ExamplelaplacianFoam.
ExampleicoFoam.
ExampleinterFoam.
ExamplebuoyantPimpleFoam.
Turbulent solvers.

Chapter 10. Developing a Custom Solver

Introduction.
Modifying an existing solver.
Developing a new solver.

Chapter 11. Additional Resources for Learning OpenFOAM

Introduction.
Specialized CFD forums.
OpenFOAM manuals.
OpenFOAM exercises and tutorials.

OpenFOAM Exercises — Basic Level

Creating a mesh with OpenFOAM.
Meshing a plate.
Converting Fluent format to OpenFOAM.
Transient laminar flow in a duct.
Steady laminar flow in a duct.
Steady heating of a plate.
Developing a custom solver for steady heating with internal energy generation.
Developing a custom solver for transient reinitialization of a level-set function.

OpenFOAM Exercises — Intermediate Level

Channel simulation.
Furnace simulation.
Natural convection.
Combustion.
Moving mesh.
Representation of residuals and forces.
Developing a custom solver with a moving heat source.

METHODOLOGY

How the course works

A flexible, practical methodology compatible with professional activity.

At your own pace

Access the learning platform whenever you want and organize your study according to your availability.

Practical content

Video lessons, technical documentation, exercises, and applied activities.

Tutoring during the course

You will be able to ask questions and receive guidance from the instructor during the training period.

Assessment and certificate

Complete the activities and assessments to obtain the certificate of completion.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Clear up your questions before you start

Practical information about access, materials, tutoring, and enrollment.

Are there schedules or live classes?

No. The course is online and asynchronous. You can access the learning platform and progress according to your availability during the course period. At any time: 24/7.

When can I start?

The start is flexible. After completing enrollment and confirming payment, you will receive instructions to access the learning platform.

How long will I have access?

The course is planned to be completed over eight weeks. During that period, you will have access to the learning platform, the content, and tutor support.

Can I download the materials?

Yes. The technical PDF manuals can be downloaded, and you will be able to keep them as reference material once the course is finished.

Can I ask the instructor questions?

Yes. During the training period, you can submit questions and receive guidance from the tutor through the channels available on the learning platform.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Once you complete the planned activities and assessments, the corresponding certificate of completion will be issued.

Can my company subsidize the course through FUNDAE?

Companies that meet the requirements can subsidize all or part of the cost using their FUNDAE credits. Technical Courses provides the necessary information and can put the company in contact with a specialized provider to manage the process.

Can I pay by bank transfer?

Yes. Card payment via Stripe is the fastest option, but you can also request payment by bank transfer or PayPal. For companies, multiple students, or invoicing needs, use the “Request information” button.

What happens after payment?

Once payment is confirmed, Technical Courses will process your enrollment and email you the instructions and access credentials for the learning platform.

START YOUR TRAINING

Take the next step in your technical training

Access the course, progress at your own pace, and benefit from the support of an expert tutor throughout the entire training period.

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