Postgraduate Diploma in Plant Design and Odour Control
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Plant Design and Odour Control. 8 modules covering EN 13725 (determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry), EN 16841-1 (field odour measurement: grid method) and AERMOD. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
Postgraduate Diploma in Plant Design and Odour Control — studying from New Zealand
Civil engineering is one of New Zealand's largest engineering employers, driven by the need for earthquake-resilient infrastructure, roading, water and wastewater systems across a seismically active country. Major projects include Auckland's City Rail Link and Wellington's transport upgrades, with rail maintained largely by KiwiRail. Engineers work for consultancies, contractors and councils, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment administers the Building Act and related standards, while Waka Kotahi manages the national land transport network.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,770 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
What is the recognition pathway for civil and rail engineers in New Zealand?
Engineering New Zealand administers Chartered Professional Engineer registration, which is the main recognised professional standard for civil engineers. Rail is regulated through the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and the Ministry of Transport. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by a national body, so employers or the relevant body decide how much weight to give them.
Who hires civil, rail and smart city engineers in New Zealand?
Employers include city and regional councils, central government agencies, consultancies, contractors, and rail and transport operators. Smart city roles increasingly combine infrastructure knowledge with data and digital systems. Hiring usually depends on registration, experience and project records, so a private qualification is a supporting credential rather than a guaranteed entry point.
Will I need a visa, and how do fees and employer funding work?
No student visa is needed to study from home, because all programmes are 100% online and taught in English. Each programme includes an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and specialist courses 300, so check the time commitment against your workload.
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
Describe odorous compounds and the mechanisms of odour perception.
Apply standardised odour measurement and characterisation techniques.
Model the atmospheric dispersion of odours and estimate their impact.
Design plants with containment and capture systems aimed at reducing odours.
Size biofilters and bioscrubbers for air treatment.
Select physicochemical treatments according to the emission profile.
Prepare an odour management plan in accordance with regulations.
Who it's for
- Odour control engineer looking to specialise in Plant Design and Odour Control.
- Olfactometry technician looking to specialise in Plant Design and Odour Control.
- Air treatment engineer looking to specialise in Plant Design and Odour Control.
- Environmental manager of a treatment plant looking to specialise in Plant Design and Odour Control.
- Atmospheric dispersion consultant looking to specialise in Plant Design and Odour Control.
- Designer of waste and wastewater treatment plants looking to specialise in Plant Design and Odour Control.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter wastewater treatment.
What you'll work with
- EN 13725 (determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry)
- EN 16841-1 (field odour measurement: grid method)
- Directive 2010/75/EU (industrial emissions)
- Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1147 (BAT in waste treatment)
- VDI 3477 (biofiltration)
- VDI 3883 (effects and assessment of odours)
- Spanish Law 34/2007 on air quality and protection of the atmosphere
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Chemistry of odorous compounds1.2Hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans1.3Ammonia and amines1.4Volatile organic compounds1.5Olfactory perception and detection threshold1.6Odour concentration in ouE/m³1.7Hedonic tone, intensity and offensiveness1.8Sources in WWTPs, composting and landfills1.9Neighbourhood complaints and social conflict1.10Case study: source inventory of a WWTP
2.1Dynamic olfactometry according to EN 137252.2Sampling from point and area sources2.3Flux chamber and wind tunnel2.4Gas chromatography and GC-MS2.5Electronic noses2.6Continuous H₂S monitoring2.7Field inspection according to EN 168412.8Calculation of odour emission rates2.9Nuisance surveys2.10Laboratory: interpreting an olfactometry report
3.1Meteorology and atmospheric stability3.2AERMOD Gaussian model3.3CALPUFF Lagrangian model3.4Percentiles and impact criteria3.5Isodour maps3.6Effect of topography and buildings3.7Pre-processing of meteorological data3.8Validation with field campaigns3.9Emission reduction scenarios3.10Practical: dispersion simulation with AERMOD
4.1Siting and distances to receptors4.2Enclosure of emitting processes4.3Covered pre-treatment4.4Enclosed thickening and dewatering4.5Storage of sludge and waste4.6Ventilation and air changes per hour4.7Ductwork and fan design4.8Corrosion-resistant materials4.9Control of industrial discharges to the sewer4.10Workshop: air flow balance of a WWTP
5.1Organic bed biofilters5.2Trickling biofilters5.3Bioscrubbers5.4Microbiology of sulphide oxidation5.5Empty bed residence time5.6Humidification and pH control5.7Pressure drop and media life5.8Combined removal of H₂S and VOCs5.9Efficiencies and limitations5.10Practical: sizing a biofilter
6.1Multi-stage chemical scrubbers6.2Acid and alkaline-oxidative washing6.3Adsorption on impregnated activated carbon6.4Regenerative thermal oxidation6.5Ionisation and ozone6.6Combined treatment trains6.7Neutralising agents and fogging6.8Investment and operating costs6.9Safety in handling reagents6.10Case study: technology for a composting plant
7.1Spanish Law 34/2007 on air quality7.2Odour immission criteria in other countries7.3BREF for waste treatment7.4Odour management plans7.5Integrated environmental authorisation7.6Complaint management and communication7.7Maintenance of deodorisation systems7.8Performance indicators7.9Periodic odour audits7.10Practical: odour management plan for a facility
8.1Description of the facility and receptors8.2Inventory and quantification of emissions8.3Modelling of current impact8.4Containment and ventilation measures8.5Selection and sizing of the treatment8.6Impact assessment after measures8.7Management and monitoring plan8.8Investment and operating budget8.9Report and presentation8.10Final 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. 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 AERMOD, CALPUFF, AutoCAD, advanced Excel, QGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real dynamic olfactometry laboratory procedures, field odour inspections, and monitoring of biofilters and chemical scrubbers. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe odorous compounds and the mechanisms of odour perception.
Apply standardised odour measurement and characterisation techniques.
Model the atmospheric dispersion of odours and estimate their impact.
Design plants with containment and capture systems aimed at reducing odours.
Size biofilters and bioscrubbers for air treatment.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 800 hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
You work with AERMOD, CALPUFF, AutoCAD, advanced Excel and QGIS. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
SEIUM's own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
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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