CBRN-Resistant Materials Course
Online course of 300 h in CBRN-resistant materials. 6 modules covering EN 943-1 (chemical protective suits), EN 14126 (protective clothing against biological agents) and COMSOL Multiphysics. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
CBRN-Resistant Materials Course — studying from Malta
Malta's defence sector is comparatively small, reflecting the country's neutrality and modest armed forces. Activity centres on the Armed Forces of Malta, maritime surveillance, border security and the associated technical support. Engineering roles are mostly found in equipment maintenance, communications, infrastructure and government procurement rather than large-scale defence manufacturing. Professionals may find opportunities through public service and contractors supplying the armed forces and related agencies, where reliability and compliance with national procurement rules are important.
Fees for Malta: €797 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies regulate defence and military engineering work in Malta?
Malta's Armed Forces and the Ministry responsible for defence oversee military engineering and procurement. General engineering practice is regulated by the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act. Export and dual-use controls follow EU and national rules. A SEIUM qualification is private and not accredited, so any recognition depends on employers or the relevant authority.
What career paths exist in Malta for land systems and defence engineering?
Opportunities in Malta are limited and mostly within government, the Armed Forces and their suppliers, with more substantial defence industry work typically found abroad. Many roles require security clearance and specific experience. A private qualification can support your profile, but you should expect employers to focus on experience and clearance eligibility.
How do I study this from Malta, and what should I consider about workload and funding?
The programme is delivered fully online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. You do not need a visa to study from home in Malta. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, so plan time alongside any work commitments. Ask about instalment payments and whether employer sponsorship is 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
Define the requirements of barrier materials against chemical and biological agents.
Compare the material families used in protection.
Interpret the standardised test methods for permeation and penetration.
Relate material properties to comfort and ergonomics.
Integrate materials into certifiable products such as PPE.
Assess the life cycle and sustainability of materials.
Develop a barrier material selection project.
Who it's for
- Protective materials engineer who wants to specialise in CBRN-resistant materials.
- PPE testing technician who wants to specialise in CBRN-resistant materials.
- PPE certification manager who wants to specialise in CBRN-resistant materials.
- Functional materials researcher who wants to specialise in CBRN-resistant materials.
- Technical textile product engineer who wants to specialise in CBRN-resistant materials.
- Occupational risk prevention technician who wants to specialise in CBRN-resistant materials.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to join personal protective equipment teams.
What you'll work with
- EN 943-1 (chemical protective suits)
- EN 14126 (protective clothing against biological agents)
- EN ISO 6529 (resistance to chemical permeation)
- EN 14325 (test methods for chemical protective clothing materials)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/425 (personal protective equipment)
- ISO 16602 (classification of chemical protective clothing)
- ISO 13982-1 (protection against solid particles)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Function of a barrier material against chemical and biological agents1.2Permeation, penetration and degradation1.3Performance and comfort requirements1.4Trade-off between barrier and breathability1.5Applications: suits, gloves, filters and coatings1.6Applications in infrastructure and vehicles1.7International test standards1.8Field vocabulary and acronyms1.9Technical sources and materials databases1.10Exercise: define requirements for an application
2.1Elastomers: butyl, neoprene and fluoroelastomers2.2Laminated and multilayer polymers2.3Semi-permeable and selective membranes2.4Activated carbon fabrics2.5Ceramic and metallic coatings2.6Materials with self-decontamination capability2.7Nanomaterials and their state of maturity2.8Reusable versus disposable materials2.9Compatibility with decontamination agents2.10Practice: compare three materials for one use
3.1Cell permeation tests3.2Liquid and aerosol penetration tests3.3Tests against biological agents3.4Tests with simulant substances3.5Mechanical strength, abrasion and flexing3.6Flame and temperature resistance3.7Ageing and shelf life3.8Test repeatability and accredited laboratories3.9Interpretation of declared results3.10Practice: design a material test plan
4.1Seams, closures and weak points4.2Interfaces between garments and with the respirator4.3Assembly airtightness and its testing4.4Ergonomics, mobility and field of vision4.5Thermal load and moisture management4.6Durability in real use and laundering4.7Product performance marking4.8Conformity assessment of the equipment4.9Documentation and instructions for use4.10Practice: weak-point analysis of a suit
5.1Declared service life and its verification5.2Storage, rotation and batch control5.3Periodic material inspection5.4Discard criteria and their recording5.5Decontamination and reuse5.6Waste management of used material5.7Life cycle and footprint analysis5.8Total cost of ownership5.9Innovation and technology roadmap5.10Practice: life cycle management plan
6.1Choice of application and requirements6.2Justified selection of material family6.3Test plan and acceptance criteria6.4Design of product integration6.5Verification plan for the assembly6.6Storage and inspection plan6.7Life cycle and cost analysis6.8Technical purchase specification6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
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 compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is COMSOL Multiphysics, Minitab, Origin, Advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real laboratory procedures for permeation and penetration, mechanical characterisation of materials and accelerated ageing tests. 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.
Define the requirements of barrier materials against chemical and biological agents.
Compare the material families used in protection.
Interpret the standardised test methods for permeation and penetration.
Relate material properties to comfort and ergonomics.
Integrate materials into certifiable products such as PPE.
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 standards 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 totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of between 10 and 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
Work is carried out with COMSOL Multiphysics, Minitab, Origin and Advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own SEIUM 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 can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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