Diploma in Directed Energy Safety Standards
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in directed energy safety standards: 8 modules covering biological effects, IEC 60825-1, ANSI Z136.1 and ANSI Z136.6, exposure limits, hazard zones, control measures, safety programme management and high-power system safety, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Directed Energy Safety Standards — 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$1,700 (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
Understand the biological effects of optical and radiofrequency radiation.
Apply exposure limits from international and European standards.
Classify laser and high-power systems according to the standards.
Calculate hazard distances and zones.
Design engineering, administrative and personal protective controls.
Manage safety in indoor and outdoor trials.
Develop safety programmes that comply with the standards.
Who it's for
- Laser safety officers.
- Occupational health and safety technicians.
- System safety engineers.
- Non-ionising radiation specialists.
- Laboratory safety auditors.
- Defence regulatory advisers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- IEC 60825-1 (safety of laser products)
- ANSI Z136.1 (safe use of lasers)
- ANSI Z136.6 (safe use of lasers outdoors)
- Directive 2006/25/EC (artificial optical radiation)
- MIL-STD-1425A (safety design requirements for military lasers)
- STANAG 3606 (evaluation and control of laser hazards)
- IEEE C95.1-2019 (exposure to electromagnetic fields)
- Directive 2013/35/EU (electromagnetic fields at work)
- Easy-Haz Laser Hazard Analysis
- LaserCalc
- MATLAB
- COMSOL Multiphysics
8 modules
1.1Interaction of optical radiation with tissue1.2Eye damage by wavelength1.3Skin damage1.4Thermal effects of radiofrequency1.5Non-thermal effects: state of the evidence1.6Associated hazards: electrical and chemical1.7Dazzle risk1.8Sensitive groups1.9Health surveillance1.10Case study: analysis of a laser accident
2.1IEC 60825-1 and classification2.2The ANSI Z136 series2.3Directive 2006/25/EC2.4Directive 2013/35/EU2.5MIL-STD-1425A2.6STANAG 36062.7Radiofrequency exposure standards2.8Aviation regulations for lasers2.9National transposition2.10Workshop: regulatory map of a facility
3.1Maximum permissible exposure3.2Accessible emission limit3.3Repetitive and pulsed exposure3.4Multi-wavelength lasers3.5Radiofrequency limits by frequency3.6Temporal and spatial averaging3.7Measurement versus calculation3.8Uncertainty3.9Calculation tools3.10Practical exercise: calculating maximum permissible exposure
4.1Nominal ocular hazard distance4.2Nominal hazard zone4.3Specular and diffuse reflections4.4Optical aids4.5Outdoor lasers according to ANSI Z136.64.6Airspace exclusion zones4.7Radiofrequency zones4.8Scenario analysis4.9Calculation software4.10Lab: calculating hazard zones
5.1Hierarchy of controls5.2Enclosures and interlocks5.3Signage and beacons5.4Administrative controls5.5Eye protection: optical density5.6Clothing and skin protection5.7Personnel training5.8Maintenance of controls5.9Verification of effectiveness5.10Practical exercise: specifying laser eye protection
6.1Laser safety officer6.2Safety committee6.3Standard operating procedures6.4User authorisation6.5Inspections and audits6.6Incident management6.7Exposure records6.8Safety in trials with third parties6.9Safety culture6.10Case study: audit of a laser facility
7.1MIL-STD-882E system safety7.2System hazard analysis7.3High-energy power supplies7.4Cooling and fluids7.5Safety of range trials7.6Coordination with aviation authorities7.7Cybersecurity of controls7.8Safety certification7.9Lessons learned7.10Workshop: hazard analysis of a high-power system
8.1Description of the facility8.2Applicable regulatory framework8.3Exposure calculation8.4Zone determination8.5Control measures8.6Safety programme8.7Training plan8.8Audit plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Easy-Haz Laser Hazard Analysis, LaserCalc, MATLAB and COMSOL Multiphysics, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: calculation of maximum permissible exposure, preparation of a safe working procedure and safety audit of a laser facility. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: IEC 60825-1, ANSI Z136.1, ANSI Z136.6, Directive 2006/25/EC, MIL-STD-1425A, STANAG 3606, IEEE C95.1-2019, Directive 2013/35/EU.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
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 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Easy-Haz Laser Hazard Analysis, LaserCalc, MATLAB and COMSOL Multiphysics, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
Related programmes
Diploma in MBSE with SysML for Military Platforms
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in MBSE with SysML for military platforms. 8 modules covering military platforms as systems, requirements and use-case modelling, functional architecture,…
Diploma in Military Key Management and PKI
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in military key management and PKI. 8 modules covering cryptographic fundamentals, public key infrastructure, the key life cycle under NIST…
Diploma in Submerged Propulsion Systems Safety
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Submerged Propulsion Systems Safety. 8 modules covering submerged propulsion hazards, risk analysis, battery safety (IEC 62619), hydrogen, oxygen and…
More in Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems
All Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships