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.
Course in Ethics in University Research on Autonomy — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand's defence engineering sector is centred on the New Zealand Defence Force, which operates land, sea and air capabilities, with major bases at Linton and Burnham. Defence procurement and sustainment are managed through the Ministry of Defence, and local firms support maintenance, communications and vehicle systems. Land systems engineering is closely linked to the country's agricultural and forestry sectors, where ruggedised vehicles and equipment are developed and maintained.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,470 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
How is defence and military engineering recognised in New Zealand?
Engineering registration is handled by Engineering New Zealand, and defence procurement and security clearances are managed through the New Zealand Defence Force and government procurement processes. Security clearance requirements can matter more than academic credentials for some roles. SEIUM is a private institute, and its qualifications are not accredited by a national body, so recognition rests with the employer.
What defence and land systems employers operate in New Zealand?
Opportunities arise with the New Zealand Defence Force, Defence Technology Agency, defence industry suppliers and engineering firms serving land systems and vehicles. Many roles require citizenship or security clearance. A private online qualification may support an application, but it does not guarantee a position, and clearance and experience usually weigh more heavily.
Is it possible to study from New Zealand without a visa, and can my employer pay?
Yes, programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Each includes an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900, so plan your workload carefully.
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
Characterise university research in autonomy and its risks.
Describe the bodies and processes of university research governance.
Apply research integrity principles to autonomy projects.
Assess the risks of publishing and disseminating sensitive results.
Apply dual-use control to research.
Reflect on the social responsibility of the researcher.
Draft a responsible research plan in autonomy.
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.
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)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Research lines in autonomous systems1.2Robotics, perception and decision-making1.3Reinforcement learning and planning1.4From laboratory to application: TRL levels1.5Public and private funding1.6European programmes: Horizon Europe and EDF1.7Open research and open-source code1.8Dual use of autonomy algorithms1.9Scientific community and research networks1.10Workshop: map of uses of a navigation algorithm
2.1Research ethics committees2.2Ethics self-assessment in Horizon Europe2.3Commission guidelines on dual use2.4Risk assessment of misuse2.5University defence policies2.6Academic freedom and its limits2.7Classified research at the university2.8Transparency of contracts and funding2.9Student participation in sensitive projects2.10Practice: Horizon Europe ethics questionnaire
3.1Reproducibility in robotics and learning3.2Simulation results versus the real world3.3Overstatement of capabilities3.4Communication with the media3.5Authorship and contributions3.6Publication of code and models3.7Training data and licences3.8Peer review and conflicts3.9ALLEA European Code of Conduct3.10Case study: an oversized robot demonstration
4.1Responsible publication in AI4.2Staged release of models4.3Software export control4.4Public domain research exemption4.5International students and deemed export4.6Risks of transfer to hostile actors4.7Tacit knowledge and training4.8Research security4.9National research security guidelines4.10Case study: preprint with surveillance applications
5.1Public commitments by researchers on autonomous weapons5.2Conscientious objection in research groups5.3Responsible research and innovation (RRI)5.4Citizen participation in the scientific agenda5.5Anticipatory technology assessment5.6Labour impact of autonomy5.7Equity and accessibility of technology5.8Dialogue with civil society5.9Ethics of science in history: Manhattan and Pugwash5.10Workshop: anticipatory assessment of a technology
6.1Setting up an autonomy project6.2Review of the state of the art6.3Dual-use assessment6.4Data and code management plan6.5Responsible publication plan6.6Social impact analysis6.7Project governance plan6.8Final ethical assessment6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
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.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Characterise university research in autonomy and its risks.
Describe the bodies and processes of university research governance.
Apply research integrity principles to autonomy projects.
Assess the risks of publishing and disseminating sensitive results.
Apply dual-use control to research.
Where this takes you
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.
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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