Course in Ethics in Sensitive Biological Research
300-hour online course in ethics of sensitive biological research. 6 modules covering the Biological Weapons Convention (1972), ISO 35001 (biorisk management in laboratories) and NVivo. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Ethics in Sensitive Biological Research — 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: €743 (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
Identify high-risk biological research.
Apply the regulatory framework for biosafety and biosecurity.
Design institutional review processes for sensitive research.
Assess the risks and benefits of publishing sensitive results.
Analyse the ethical principles of biological research.
Propose proportionate mitigation measures.
Carry out a DURC assessment of a project.
Who it's for
- Biosafety officer who wants to specialise in Ethics in Sensitive Biological Research.
- Technician on an institutional biosafety committee who wants to specialise in Ethics in Sensitive Biological Research.
- Life sciences researcher who wants to specialise in Ethics in Sensitive Biological Research.
- Science policy adviser who wants to specialise in Ethics in Sensitive Biological Research.
- Scientific editor who wants to specialise in Ethics in Sensitive Biological Research.
- Biorisk analyst who wants to specialise in Ethics in Sensitive Biological Research.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter universities.
What you'll work with
- Biological Weapons Convention (1972)
- ISO 35001 (biorisk management in laboratories)
- WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual (4th ed., 2020)
- WHO Global Framework for the Responsible Use of the Life Sciences (2022)
- US Government Policy on DURC and PEPP (2024)
- Directive 2000/54/EC (biological agents at work)
- Royal Decree 664/1997 (biological agents)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Pathogens and toxins: risk classification1.2Biosafety levels BSL-1 to BSL-41.3Gain-of-function research: the debate1.4Dual-use research of concern (DURC)1.5Synthetic biology and genome editing1.6Vaccines and countermeasures1.7Cases: the 2011 H5N1 and the synthesis of horsepox1.8Research on the origins of pandemics1.9Biosafety and biosecurity: differences1.10Case study: the debate over H5N1 experiments
2.1Biological Weapons Convention2.2Confidence-building measures2.3Royal Decree 664/1997 on biological agents2.4WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual (4th edition)2.5Biorisk management under ISO 350012.6Regulation (EU) 2021/821 and biological agents2.7Australia Group2.8US guidelines on DURC and PEPP2.9Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety2.10Practical: classifying a project under the DURC framework
3.1Institutional biosafety committees3.2Risk and benefit assessment3.3Project review before funding3.4Personnel reliability3.5Inventories and material control3.6Reporting incidents and exposures3.7Genomic information security3.8DNA synthesis screening3.9Audits and inspections3.10Workshop: simulating a biosafety committee
4.1Responsible publication of sensitive results4.2The role of editors and journals4.3NSABB recommendations4.4Preprints and information risk4.5AI models for biological design4.6Open science versus security4.7Public communication and disinformation4.8Transparency of funded research4.9Balancing global health and security4.10Case study: editorial decision on a DURC article
5.1Principles of beneficence and non-maleficence5.2Precautionary principle5.3Justice in access to countermeasures5.4Ethics of animal experimentation: Directive 2010/63/EU5.5Volunteer trials and consent5.6Biohackers and community labs5.7Culture of responsibility among biologists5.8Codes of conduct: Tianjin Guidelines (2021)5.9Ethics training in the life sciences5.10Workshop: ethical analysis of a synthetic biology project
6.1Selection of a reference project6.2Biosafety risk assessment6.3Biosecurity risk assessment6.4Risk-benefit analysis6.5Mitigation measures6.6Communication and publication plan6.7Committee recommendation6.8Synthesis and conclusions6.9Report 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 an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is NVivo, Advanced Excel, Zotero, REDCap, in free, academic or trial versions. Case studies are based on real procedures: DURC assessments of projects, biosecurity audits, and analyses of sensitive publication cases. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus a final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Identify high-risk biological research.
Apply the regulatory framework for biosafety and biosecurity.
Design institutional review processes for sensitive research.
Assess the risks and benefits of publishing sensitive results.
Analyse the ethical principles of biological research.
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 comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
You will work with NVivo, Advanced Excel, Zotero and REDCap. Free, academic or trial versions are used, and the tutor indicates a free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrative 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 are recognised in the advanced programme. Consult the recognition policy when enrolling.
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