Course in Ethics in Composite Materials Testing
Online 300-hour course in ethics in composite materials testing. 6 modules covering ASTM D3039 (tensile testing of polymer matrix composites), ASTM D7136 (drop-weight impact on composites) and Abaqus. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Ethics in Composite Materials Testing — studying from Australia
Defence is one of Australia's largest engineering employers, with major programmes in land systems, naval platforms, aircraft and integrated systems managed through the Department of Defence. Land systems engineering supports armoured vehicles, weapons and logistics equipment, often through prime contractors and local industry partners. Industry involvement is strongly encouraged through the Defence industry policy framework. Engineers work on sustainment, capability development, systems integration and safety assurance, typically in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and regional defence precincts.
Fees for Australia: A$712 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
How does defence engineering recognition work in Australia?
Defence engineering in Australia is largely run through the Department of Defence and its industry partners, which set their own security clearance and qualification requirements. Engineers Australia is the professional body for accreditation. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide.
Which Australian employers hire in defence and land systems?
Australia has defence prime contractors, the Department of Defence, and specialist land systems firms. Many of these roles require Australian security clearances, which depend on citizenship and background checks rather than course completion. Ask employers how they weigh private qualifications against experience and clearance requirements.
Is the course manageable with a job, and does it need a visa?
The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. An assigned technical tutor supports you, fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible.
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
Understand composite materials and their standardised characterisation tests.
Apply protective measures against chemical and particle hazards in the laboratory.
Ensure integrity in specimen preparation and recording of results.
Assess the environmental impact and end-of-life of composites.
Identify composite materials and technologies subject to dual-use control.
Evaluate laboratory responsibility in defence applications.
Plan a composite testing campaign with ethical and safety criteria.
Who it's for
- Composite materials engineer who wants to specialise in Ethics in Composite Materials Testing.
- Testing laboratory technician who wants to specialise in Ethics in Composite Materials Testing.
- Industrial hygiene technician who wants to specialise in Ethics in Composite Materials Testing.
- Laboratory quality manager who wants to specialise in Ethics in Composite Materials Testing.
- Materials sustainability engineer who wants to specialise in Ethics in Composite Materials Testing.
- Researcher in advanced materials who wants to specialise in Ethics in Composite Materials Testing.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the aerospace industry.
What you'll work with
- ASTM D3039 (tensile testing of polymer matrix composites)
- ASTM D7136 (drop-weight impact on composites)
- Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH)
- Royal Decree 374/2001 (chemical agents at work)
- ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing laboratories)
- ISO 14040 (life cycle assessment)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (control of dual-use items)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Carbon, glass and aramid fibres1.2Thermoset and thermoplastic matrices1.3Laminates, stacking sequences and anisotropy1.4Tensile testing of composites according to ASTM D30391.5Compression and interlaminar shear1.6Drop-weight impact according to ASTM D71361.7Compression after impact according to ASTM D71371.8Non-destructive testing: ultrasound and thermography1.9Composites in armour and aerospace structures1.10Laboratory: interpreting a C-scan
2.1Carbon fibre dust and respiratory risks2.2Resins, hardeners and sensitisation2.3Emissions during machining and cutting2.4Exposure to nanomaterials in composites2.5Ventilation and local exhaust extraction2.6Personal protective equipment2.7Occupational health surveillance of staff2.8Safety data sheets and REACH2.9Management of chemical incidents2.10Workshop: risk assessment of a composites workshop
3.1Manufacturing variability between batches3.2Specimen conditioning and moisture3.3Selecting valid failure modes3.4Exclusion of defective specimens: criteria3.5Allowables: A and B bases3.6Shared qualification programmes3.7Traceability of materials and batches3.8Falsification of material certificates3.9Accreditation according to ISO/IEC 170253.10Case study: batch out of specification
4.1Carbon footprint of carbon fibre4.2Test waste and broken specimens4.3Recycling by pyrolysis and solvolysis4.4Recyclable thermoplastics and alternatives4.5Life cycle analysis of laminates4.6Natural fibres and biocomposites4.7Reducing testing through simulation4.8Circular economy in defence and aerospace4.9Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC4.10Practical exercise: simplified LCA of a testing campaign
5.1Composites in ballistic protection: regulatory approach5.2Personal protection testing and certification5.3High-performance fibres as controlled goods5.4Export control of fibres and prepregs5.5Responsibility for protective equipment5.6Transparency with end users5.7Collaboration with defence companies5.8Publication of materials data5.9Assessment of end uses5.10Case study: test data requested by a third country
6.1Selecting the material and application6.2Test matrix and standards6.3Health and safety plan6.4Data integrity protocol6.5Waste management and sustainability6.6Export control review6.7Budget and planning6.8Overall ethical assessment6.9Report and presentation6.10Final 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 Abaqus, ANSYS Composite PrepPost, Minitab, openLCA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real laboratory procedures for mechanical characterisation of composites, assessment of exposure to dust and resins, and life cycle analysis of laminates. Assessment is continuous by 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.
Understand composite materials and their standardised characterisation tests.
Apply protective measures against chemical and particle hazards in the laboratory.
Ensure integrity in specimen preparation and recording of results.
Assess the environmental impact and end-of-life of composites.
Identify composite materials and technologies subject to dual-use control.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of 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.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with Abaqus, ANSYS Composite PrepPost, Minitab and openLCA. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM 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 are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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