Course in History and Ethical Evolution of Land Armour
Online course of 300 h in history and ethical evolution of land armour. 6 modules covering the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines (1997), Amended Protocol II to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (1996) and Zotero. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in History and Ethical Evolution of Land Armour — studying from Canada
Canada's defence sector is centred on procurement and sustainment through the Department of National Defence and Defence Research and Development Canada. Industrial activity spans land vehicles, naval systems, avionics and electronics, with firms in Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. Companies such as General Dynamics Land Systems Canada and Lockheed Martin Canada are notable employers, alongside a broad base of small and medium suppliers. Engineers work on systems integration, vehicle protection, logistics and sustainment, operating within strict security and export control frameworks.
Fees for Canada: C$1,160 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Which Canadian bodies or processes govern defence engineering recognition?
Defence engineering in Canada often involves government procurement and security clearances, and engineers typically hold provincial Professional Engineer licences where a title is required. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not official state degrees or accredited by a national body, so they do not confer licensing or clearance. Recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide, so verify this first.
Would Canadian defence or land systems employers accept this training?
Canadian defence employers and contractors generally rely on security clearance, licensing and demonstrated experience. A private qualification may support your application, but it is unlikely to replace those requirements, and its acceptance is up to each employer. A SEIUM final project can help show applied skill, so discuss expectations with prospective employers early.
Can I study remotely while working, and what are the costs and language demands?
Yes, the programmes are fully online, so you can study from Canada or elsewhere without a student visa, and fit sessions around work. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. Teaching is in English, supported by an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be available.
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
Describe the origins of land armour and its historical context.
Analyse the evolution of armour in the Second World War and the Cold War.
Explain the development of mine protection in recent conflicts.
Interpret the treaties that regulate mines and conventional weapons.
Evaluate the ethical dilemmas of protecting crews and civilian populations.
Apply a rigorous methodology of historical research.
Produce an essay on the ethical history of armour.
Who it's for
- Researcher in the history of technology who wishes to specialise in History and Ethical Evolution of Land Armour.
- Analyst of international humanitarian law who wishes to specialise in History and Ethical Evolution of Land Armour.
- Adviser in applied ethics who wishes to specialise in History and Ethical Evolution of Land Armour.
- University lecturer who wishes to specialise in History and Ethical Evolution of Land Armour.
- Analyst of defence policy who wishes to specialise in History and Ethical Evolution of Land Armour.
- Curator of military heritage who wishes to specialise in History and Ethical Evolution of Land Armour.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter universities and research centres.
What you'll work with
- Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines (1997)
- Amended Protocol II to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (1996)
- Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions (1977)
- Geneva Conventions of 1949
- Arms Trade Treaty (2013)
- STANAG 4569 (vehicle protection levels)
- Common Position 2008/944/CFSP
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Armoured vehicles before 19141.2The tank in the First World War1.3Cambrai 1917 and its impact1.4Rolled steel plates1.5Protection against small arms1.6Early debates on new weapons1.7Crew experience1.8Sources and museums1.9Pioneering engineers and designers1.10Workshop: annotated chronology of armour 1900-1920
2.1Sloped armour and the T-342.2Cast versus rolled steel2.3Surface hardening2.4Spaced armour and skirts2.5The race between protection and penetration2.6Forced labour in German industry2.7Responsibility of companies and engineers2.8Bombing of factories and civilians2.9Nuremberg trials of industrialists2.10Case study: the Krupp trial
3.1Composite armour: Chobham3.2Reactive armour and its emergence3.3Depleted uranium in armour3.4Health debate on depleted uranium3.5Personnel carriers3.6Doctrine and the arms race3.7Exports to third countries3.8Use of armoured vehicles against civilians3.9Prague 1968 and Tiananmen 19893.10Practice: analysis of the depleted uranium debate
4.1MRAP vehicles and the V-hull4.2Lessons from Rhodesia and South Africa4.3Iraq and Afghanistan: improvised explosive devices4.4Crew protection as an ethical imperative4.5Cost and resource prioritisation4.6Armoured vehicles in peace operations4.7Ukraine and modern vulnerabilities4.8Civilian and humanitarian armoured vehicles4.9Police and armour in the city4.10Case study: the MRAP programme and the protection of lives
5.1Protection as a moral value5.2International humanitarian law and weapons5.3Legal review of new systems5.4Export controls on armoured vehicles5.5Police militarisation and armour5.6Environmental impact of the life cycle5.7The engineer's responsibility5.8Historical memory and heritage5.9Lessons for current design5.10Workshop: debate on armoured vehicles in internal security
6.1Selection of period or vehicle6.2Literature review6.3Technological evolution of the case6.4Political and social context6.5Ethical analysis of decisions6.6Regulatory implications6.7Contemporary lessons6.8Writing the essay6.9Memory and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Zotero, NVivo, Advanced Excel, QGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Essays are studied through real historical source analysis procedures, ethical-legal case studies and academic debate seminars. 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.
Describe the origins of land armour and its historical context.
Analyse the evolution of armour in the Second World War and the Cold War.
Explain the development of mine protection in recent conflicts.
Interpret the treaties that regulate mines and conventional weapons.
Evaluate the ethical dilemmas of protecting crews and civilian populations.
Where this takes you
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 reading.
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 is 300 hours in total, 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 uses Zotero, NVivo, Advanced Excel, QGIS. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
UNECE Regulations Course in Vehicle Type-Approval
Online 300 h course in UNECE regulations for vehicle type-approval. 6 modules covering the 1958 Geneva Agreement (UNECE/UN), Regulation (EU) 2018/858 (type-approval of motor vehicles) and…
Course in Ethics in Academic Electrification of Deployments
Online 300-hour course in ethics in academic electrification of deployments. 6 Modules Covering IEC 60364 (Low-Voltage Electrical Installations), Royal Decree 842/2002 (Electrotechnical Regulation for Low Voltage)…
Course in Ethics in International Military Cooperation
Online 300 h course in ethics in international military cooperation. 6 modules covering the 1949 Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols, the Arms Trade Treaty (2013) and…
More in Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems
All Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships