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Postgraduate Diploma in Chronobiology, Jet Lag and Circadian Rhythms

Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Chronobiology, Jet Lag and Circadian Rhythms. 8 modules covering CIE S 026/E:2018 (response to light mediated by photoreceptors), Directive 2003/88/EC (organisation of working time) and ActiLife (ActiGraph). Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the fundamentals of the circadian clock and its regulation.

02

Quantify the effect of light on the circadian system according to CIE S 026.

03

Analyse the regulation of sleep and its disorders.

04

Design strategies to mitigate jet lag.

05

Assess the risk of fatigue in shift work.

06

Use actigraphy and sleep monitoring devices.

07

Develop a circadian management plan for a demanding environment.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Fatigue management specialist who wishes to specialise in Chronobiology, Jet Lag and Circadian Rhythms.
  • Applied chronobiology consultant who wishes to specialise in Chronobiology, Jet Lag and Circadian Rhythms.
  • Occupational prevention technician in shift work who wishes to specialise in Chronobiology, Jet Lag and Circadian Rhythms.
  • Circadian lighting designer who wishes to specialise in Chronobiology, Jet Lag and Circadian Rhythms.
  • Sleep researcher who wishes to specialise in Chronobiology, Jet Lag and Circadian Rhythms.
  • Shift and rota planner who wishes to specialise in Chronobiology, Jet Lag and Circadian Rhythms.
  • Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter aviation.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • CIE S 026/E:2018 (response to light mediated by photoreceptors)
  • Directive 2003/88/EC (organisation of working time)
  • Regulation (EU) No 83/2014 (flight time limitations)
  • Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 (driving and rest times)
  • ICAO Doc 9966 (fatigue risk management)
  • Royal Decree 1561/1995 (special working hours)
Syllabus

8 modules · 800 h

  1. 1.1Circadian, ultradian and infradian rhythms
  2. 1.2Suprachiasmatic nucleus
  3. 1.3Clock genes and molecular loops
  4. 1.4Synchronisers: light, food and activity
  5. 1.5Melatonin and cortisol
  6. 1.6Chronotypes
  7. 1.7Body temperature and rhythm
  8. 1.8Peripheral rhythms
  9. 1.9Study methods
  10. 1.10Practical: determining chronotype with the MEQ questionnaire
  1. 2.1Melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells
  2. 2.2Phase response curve
  3. 2.3Equivalent melanopic illuminance
  4. 2.4CIE S 026 standard
  5. 2.5Indoor light exposure
  6. 2.6Blue light and screens
  7. 2.7Dynamic lighting
  8. 2.8Measurement with light dosimeters
  9. 2.9Exposure recommendations
  10. 2.10Laboratory: melanopic measurement of an environment
  1. 3.1Sleep Stages 3.2 Borbély’s Two-Process Model 3.3 Polysomnography 3.4 Actigraphy 3.5 Sleep Debt 3.6 Sleep Inertia 3.7 Strategic Naps 3.8 Circadian Rhythm Disorders 3.9 Sleep Hygiene 3.10 Workshop: Analysis of Actigraphy Data
  1. 4.1Physiology of time-zone desynchronisation
  2. 4.2Eastward and westward travel
  3. 4.3Symptoms and performance
  4. 4.4Light exposure planning
  5. 4.5Melatonin as a chronobiotic
  6. 4.6Meal and exercise timing
  7. 4.7Planning tools
  8. 4.8Jet lag in athletes
  9. 4.9Jet lag in aircrew
  10. 4.10Case study: adaptation plan for a transoceanic flight
  1. 5.1Night shifts and health
  2. 5.2Shift roster design
  3. 5.3Rapid versus slow rotation
  4. 5.4Flight time limitations in aviation
  5. 5.5FRMS fatigue management systems
  6. 5.6Biomathematical fatigue models
  7. 5.7Fatigue-related accidents
  8. 5.8Operational countermeasures
  9. 5.9European working time regulations
  10. 5.10Practical: roster assessment with a fatigue model
  1. 6.1Wearables for sleep and rhythm
  2. 6.2Validation against polysomnography
  3. 6.3Distal skin temperature
  4. 6.4Heart rate variability
  5. 6.5Algorithms for estimating circadian phase
  6. 6.6Recommendation applications
  7. 6.7Health data privacy
  8. 6.8Device limitations
  9. 6.9Field studies
  10. 6.10Laboratory: comparison of a wearable with actigraphy
  1. 7.1Space missions and rhythm
  2. 7.2Polar bases
  3. 7.3Submarines and isolation
  4. 7.4Sustained military operations
  5. 7.5Hospitals and healthcare staff
  6. 7.6Long-haul pilots
  7. 7.7Lighting in remote stations
  8. 7.8Cognitive performance
  9. 7.9Ethics of intervention
  10. 7.10Case study: lighting design for an Antarctic base
  1. 8.1Definition of population and problem
  2. 8.2Initial assessment
  3. 8.3Intervention design
  4. 8.4Light exposure plan
  5. 8.5Monitoring plan
  6. 8.6Data analysis
  7. 8.7Evaluation of results
  8. 8.8Recommendations
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

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 study with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ActiLife (ActiGraph), luox (CIE S 026 tool), R, MATLAB, Python (pandas), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real actigraphy procedures and sleep diaries, melanopic light exposure measurement, and shift planning with biomathematical fatigue models. Assessment is continuous across modules, plus the final integrating project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operating limits.
Industry mentoring:teaching staff with a track record in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:safety-by-design approach, ciber-OT, DIH and compliance as core pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Definition of population and problem

Explain the fundamentals of the circadian clock and its regulation.

Initial assessment

Quantify the effect of light on the circadian system according to CIE S 026.

Intervention design

Analyse the regulation of sleep and its disorders.

Light exposure plan

Design strategies to mitigate jet lag.

Monitoring plan

Assess the risk of fatigue in shift work.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Fatigue management specialistApplied chronobiology consultantOccupational prevention technician in shift workCircadian lighting designerSleep researcherShift and rota planner
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not 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.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.

The programme uses ActiLife (ActiGraph), luox (CIE S 026 tool), R, MATLAB, Python (pandas). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the open-source alternative where one exists.

An SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.

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