Course in Offshore Environmental Impact Analysis
Online 300-hour course in offshore environmental impact analysis. 6 modules covering Directive 2011/92/EU on environmental impact assessment, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU, Law 21/2013 on environmental assessment and QGIS. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Offshore Environmental Impact Analysis — studying from Ireland
Ireland's maritime sector spans shipping services, offshore energy, marine research and sports boating, with ports such as Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes supporting trade and logistics. The offshore wind and marine renewables sector is growing, creating demand for engineers in structures, marine systems and subsea technology. Marine research institutions such as the Marine Institute contribute to ocean science and offshore technology. Oversight is provided by the Irish Maritime Administration within the Department of Transport and by classification and safety bodies.
Fees for Ireland: €743 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which bodies in Ireland regulate or recognise marine and offshore engineering professionals?
In Ireland, marine matters fall under the Irish Maritime Development Office and the Irish Maritime Administration, while the Marine Survey Office handles vessel safety. Professional engineering membership is usually sought through Engineers Ireland. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so they do not grant certificates of competency or professional status.
How do employers in Ireland's marine and offshore sectors view private online qualifications?
Employers in Ireland's offshore energy, shipping and nautical industries generally prioritise certified competencies and sea-going or project experience. A private online qualification may complement your background but is judged at each employer's discretion. There is no guarantee it will be accepted for any particular role.
Can I study this online from Ireland and do I need a visa or to relocate?
You can study from home in Ireland, as the programme is fully online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Programme lengths are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Each student is assigned a technical tutor.
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
Apply the environmental impact assessment procedure to marine projects.
Characterise the physical, biological and socio-economic environment of a site.
Identify the impacts of offshore projects at each phase.
Model underwater noise, sediment plumes and spills.
Assess the significance of impacts using objective criteria.
Design mitigation measures and environmental monitoring programmes.
Write an environmental impact statement for an offshore project.
Who it's for
- Marine environmental consultant who wants to specialise in offshore environmental impact analysis.
- Marine biologist working on offshore projects who wants to specialise in offshore environmental impact analysis.
- Environmental assessment technician who wants to specialise in offshore environmental impact analysis.
- Underwater acoustics specialist who wants to specialise in offshore environmental impact analysis.
- Project HSE manager who wants to specialise in offshore environmental impact analysis.
- Environmental administration technician who wants to specialise in offshore environmental impact analysis.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter offshore wind.
What you'll work with
- Directive 2011/92/EU on environmental impact assessment, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU
- Law 21/2013 on environmental assessment
- Directive 2008/56/EC establishing the Marine Strategy Framework
- Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats
- Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds
- Law 41/2010 on the protection of the marine environment
- OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic
- Directive 2014/89/EU on maritime spatial planning
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Environmental impact assessment in the marine environment1.2Directive 2011/92/EU and Law 21/20131.3Marine Strategy Framework Directive1.4Natura 2000 at sea1.5Maritime spatial planning plans1.6OSPAR and Barcelona Conventions1.7Phases and procedure of processing1.8Public participation and consultations1.9Scoping document for the study1.10Case study: scoping for an offshore wind farm
2.1Physical oceanography and water quality2.2Sediments and contaminants2.3Benthic habitats and mapping2.4Fish communities and fisheries2.5Marine mammals and turtles2.6Seabirds and migratory routes2.7Underwater cultural heritage2.8Socio-economic uses of the space2.9Baselines and sampling design2.10Laboratory: analysis of benthic sampling data
3.1Underwater noise during piling3.2Electromagnetic fields from cables3.3Bird collision with wind turbines3.4Reef effect and invasive species3.5Turbidity and sediment resuspension3.6Discharges of produced water and sludge3.7Hydrocarbon spills3.8Cumulative and synergistic effects3.9Visual and landscape impact3.10Workshop: impact matrix for a platform
4.1Acoustic propagation models4.2Auditory impairment thresholds in cetaceans4.3Sediment plume modelling4.4Spill trajectory modelling4.5Band collision risk model4.6Dispersion of discharges to sea4.7Geographic information systems4.8Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis4.9Assessment of significance4.10Practice: modelling piling noise
5.1Bubble curtains and soft start5.2Fauna observers and passive acoustics5.3Construction time windows5.4Contingency plans for spills5.5Environmental monitoring programme5.6Environmental DNA monitoring5.7Design of compensatory measures5.8Restoration and nature-based solutions5.9Decommissioning and seabed restitution5.10Case study: monitoring programme for a wind farm
6.1Project description6.2Environmental inventory of the site6.3Identification of impacts6.4Modelling of key impacts6.5Assessment and significance6.6Preventive and corrective measures6.7Monitoring programme6.8Summary document6.9Report 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 a dedicated 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 QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, MIKE 21, SINTEF OSCAR, dBSea, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The exercises are based on real procedures for drafting a marine environmental impact study, modelling construction underwater noise and designing an environmental monitoring programme. Assessment is continuous per 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.
Apply the environmental impact assessment procedure to marine projects.
Characterise the physical, biological and socio-economic environment of a site.
Identify the impacts of offshore projects at each phase.
Model underwater noise, sediment plumes and spills.
Assess the significance of impacts using objective criteria.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
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 consists of 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 programme works with QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, MIKE 21, SINTEF OSCAR, dBSea. 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 integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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