Course in Ethics in the Use of Reactive Explosive Materials
Online 300-hour course in ethics in the use of reactive explosive materials. 6 modules covering STANAG 4439 (insensitive munitions), AOP-39 (development, evaluation and testing of insensitive munitions) and advanced Excel. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Ethics in the Use of Reactive Explosive Materials — 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: €546 (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
Understand, at a conceptual level, what reactive energetic materials are.
Apply safety principles in laboratories that handle energetic substances.
Explain the role of insensitive munitions in reducing accidents.
Analyse the legal framework on the effects of weapons and the review of new weapons.
Design governance mechanisms for research involving sensitive materials.
Evaluate ethical dilemmas in research on energetic materials.
Carry out an ethical assessment of a research project.
Who it's for
- Laboratory safety officer seeking to specialise in Ethics in the Use of Reactive Explosive Materials.
- Industrial safety technician seeking to specialise in Ethics in the Use of Reactive Explosive Materials.
- International humanitarian law adviser seeking to specialise in Ethics in the Use of Reactive Explosive Materials.
- Ethics committee technician seeking to specialise in Ethics in the Use of Reactive Explosive Materials.
- Explosives inspector seeking to specialise in Ethics in the Use of Reactive Explosive Materials.
- Researcher in energetic materials seeking to specialise in Ethics in the Use of Reactive Explosive Materials.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence industry.
What you'll work with
- STANAG 4439 (insensitive munitions)
- AOP-39 (development, evaluation and testing of insensitive munitions)
- Real Decreto 130/2017 (Explosives Regulation)
- UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Manual of Tests and Criteria
- Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP)
- Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, Protocol III (incendiary weapons)
- Additional Protocol I, Art. 36 (review of new weapons)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1The concept of reactive material: an academic approach1.2Civil uses: pyrotechnics, airbags, mining and space1.3Defence uses and debate on their effects1.4University research on energetic materials1.5Risks for researchers and third parties1.6Research ethics in hazardous materials1.7Researcher responsibility1.8Stakeholders1.9Dual-use knowledge1.10Case study: accidents in university laboratories
2.1Real Decreto 130/2017 and use in research2.2Risk assessment: Ley 31/19952.3Minimum quantities and storage limits2.4Protective equipment and barricades2.5Standard operating procedures2.6Staff training and authorisation2.7Management of energetic waste2.8Emergency plan2.9Incident investigation2.10Practical exercise: risk assessment of an energetic materials laboratory
3.1The concept of insensitive munitions3.2STANAG 4439 and insensitive munitions policy3.3Safety in storage and transport3.4UN recommendations on dangerous goods3.5Accidents at munitions depots3.6International technical guidelines on munitions (IATG)3.7Ageing and service life3.8Demilitarisation and safe disposal3.9Environmental impact of disposal3.10Case study: the Mbandaka depot explosion
4.1International humanitarian law: superfluous injury and unnecessary suffering4.2Legal review under Article 364.3Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons4.4Protocol III on incendiary weapons4.5Explosive weapons in populated areas: the 2022 Declaration4.6Health effects of munitions residues4.7Environmental contamination at firing ranges4.8Liability of the State and industry4.9Ethical debate on new weapons4.10Case study: legal review of a new material
5.1Ethics committees and sensitive research5.2Funding and conflicts of interest5.3Export control of energetic materials5.4Publication and the risk of misuse5.5Students and staff in sensitive projects5.6Information security5.7Transfer to civil applications5.8Responsible innovation5.9Indicators of good practice5.10Workshop: publication policy for sensitive research
6.1Description of the research project6.2Analysis of civil and military applications6.3Laboratory safety assessment6.4Legal analysis and Article 366.5Environmental impact assessment6.6Governance measures6.7Responsible dissemination plan6.8Recommendations6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM 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 easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Advanced Excel, NVivo, Zotero, Microsoft Project, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real safety audit procedures for laboratories, ethical reviews of research projects and analyses of accident 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.
Understand, at a conceptual level, what reactive energetic materials are.
Apply safety principles in laboratories that handle energetic substances.
Explain the role of insensitive munitions in reducing accidents.
Analyse the legal framework on the effects of weapons and the review of new weapons.
Design governance mechanisms for research involving sensitive materials.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient 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 an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses Advanced Excel, NVivo, Zotero and Microsoft Project. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is SEIUM's own training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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