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CourseDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Course in Ethics in University Research on Autonomy

Online 300-hour Course in Ethics in University Research on Autonomy. 6 modules covering the ALLEA European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, the Singapore Statement on Research Integrity (2010) and Zotero. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Characterise university research in autonomy and its risks.

02

Describe the bodies and processes of university research governance.

03

Apply research integrity principles to autonomy projects.

04

Assess the risks of publishing and disseminating sensitive results.

05

Apply dual-use control to research.

06

Reflect on the social responsibility of the researcher.

07

Draft a responsible research plan in autonomy.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Autonomous systems researcher who wants to specialise in Ethics in University Research on Autonomy.
  • European project manager who wants to specialise in Ethics in University Research on Autonomy.
  • Ethics committee technician who wants to specialise in Ethics in University Research on Autonomy.
  • Research integrity manager who wants to specialise in Ethics in University Research on Autonomy.
  • Science policy adviser who wants to specialise in Ethics in University Research on Autonomy.
  • Export compliance technician who wants to specialise in Ethics in University Research on Autonomy.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter universities.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ALLEA European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity
  • Singapore Statement on Research Integrity (2010)
  • Recommendation (EU) 2021/1700 (compliance in dual-use research)
  • Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (dual use)
  • Regulation (EU) 2021/695 (Horizon Europe)
  • Spanish Law 14/2011 on Science, Technology and Innovation
  • IEEE 7000 (ethically aligned design)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Research lines in autonomous systems
  2. 1.2Robotics, perception and decision-making
  3. 1.3Reinforcement learning and planning
  4. 1.4From laboratory to application: TRL levels
  5. 1.5Public and private funding
  6. 1.6European programmes: Horizon Europe and EDF
  7. 1.7Open research and open-source code
  8. 1.8Dual use of autonomy algorithms
  9. 1.9Scientific community and research networks
  10. 1.10Workshop: map of uses of a navigation algorithm
  1. 2.1Research ethics committees
  2. 2.2Ethics self-assessment in Horizon Europe
  3. 2.3Commission guidelines on dual use
  4. 2.4Risk assessment of misuse
  5. 2.5University defence policies
  6. 2.6Academic freedom and its limits
  7. 2.7Classified research at the university
  8. 2.8Transparency of contracts and funding
  9. 2.9Student participation in sensitive projects
  10. 2.10Practice: Horizon Europe ethics questionnaire
  1. 3.1Reproducibility in robotics and learning
  2. 3.2Simulation results versus the real world
  3. 3.3Overstatement of capabilities
  4. 3.4Communication with the media
  5. 3.5Authorship and contributions
  6. 3.6Publication of code and models
  7. 3.7Training data and licences
  8. 3.8Peer review and conflicts
  9. 3.9ALLEA European Code of Conduct
  10. 3.10Case study: an oversized robot demonstration
  1. 4.1Responsible publication in AI
  2. 4.2Staged release of models
  3. 4.3Software export control
  4. 4.4Public domain research exemption
  5. 4.5International students and deemed export
  6. 4.6Risks of transfer to hostile actors
  7. 4.7Tacit knowledge and training
  8. 4.8Research security
  9. 4.9National research security guidelines
  10. 4.10Case study: preprint with surveillance applications
  1. 5.1Public commitments by researchers on autonomous weapons
  2. 5.2Conscientious objection in research groups
  3. 5.3Responsible research and innovation (RRI)
  4. 5.4Citizen participation in the scientific agenda
  5. 5.5Anticipatory technology assessment
  6. 5.6Labour impact of autonomy
  7. 5.7Equity and accessibility of technology
  8. 5.8Dialogue with civil society
  9. 5.9Ethics of science in history: Manhattan and Pugwash
  10. 5.10Workshop: anticipatory assessment of a technology
  1. 6.1Setting up an autonomy project
  2. 6.2Review of the state of the art
  3. 6.3Dual-use assessment
  4. 6.4Data and code management plan
  5. 6.5Responsible publication plan
  6. 6.6Social impact analysis
  7. 6.7Project governance plan
  8. 6.8Final ethical assessment
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100 % online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Zotero, NVivo, Overleaf, Advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The case work is based on real ethics review procedures for research proposals, analysis of sensitive publication cases and research integrity workshops. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.

Accredited laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test bench, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry-led mentoring:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as core pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Setting up an autonomy project

Characterise university research in autonomy and its risks.

Review of the state of the art

Describe the bodies and processes of university research governance.

Dual-use assessment

Apply research integrity principles to autonomy projects.

Data and code management plan

Assess the risks of publishing and disseminating sensitive results.

Responsible publication plan

Apply dual-use control to research.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Autonomous systems researcherEuropean project managerEthics committee technicianResearch integrity managerScience policy adviserExport compliance technician
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient 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.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

You work with Zotero, NVivo, Overleaf, Advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma 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 higher programme. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.

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