Diploma in AM Ethics for Defence and Civil Use
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in the ethics of additive manufacturing (AM) for defence and civil use, structured in 8 modules covering AM and society, misuse risks, the regulatory framework, intellectual property, health and safety, sustainability and governance, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in AM Ethics for Defence and Civil Use — studying from the United States
Defense engineering is a major pillar of the American economy, with strong clusters in Virginia, Maryland, Alabama, Connecticut and California. Prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems Inc. develop land, air and naval systems for the Department of Defense. Work spans vehicle design, weapons integration, survivability and secure systems, governed by strict security and procurement rules. Engineers in this field often hold or pursue security clearances, which shapes career paths and project access.
Fees for the United States: 1,000 US$ (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Is the programme taught in English?
Yes. All programmes are taught in English, with technical materials and assessments delivered in that language.
Can I study from any state?
Yes. Programmes are 100% online, so you can study from anywhere in the United States with a reliable internet connection.
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
Analyse the social impact of additive manufacturing.
Identify risks of misuse of the technology.
Interpret the applicable regulatory framework.
Manage the intellectual property of digital models.
Apply health and safety measures in printing.
Assess the sustainability of additive processes.
Design responsible governance mechanisms.
Who it's for
- Technology ethics advisers.
- Manufacturing compliance managers.
- Additive manufacturing engineers.
- Intellectual property consultants.
- Occupational risk prevention technicians.
- 3D printing service managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- Directive (EU) 2021/555 (control of the acquisition and possession of weapons)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (EU dual-use export control regime)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (General Product Safety Regulation)
- ISO/ASTM 52900 (additive manufacturing: general principles and terminology)
- Directive 85/374/EEC (liability for defective products)
- Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (Medical Devices Regulation)
- ISO/ASTM 52931 (environmental health and safety for using metallic materials in AM)
- Ultimaker Cura
- Materialise Magics
- SimaPro
- Autodesk Fusion
8 modules
1.1The democratisation of manufacturing1.2Desktop and industrial printers1.3Distributed manufacturing1.4Maker communities and open source1.5Impact on industrial employment1.6Additive manufacturing in healthcare1.7Additive manufacturing in defence1.8Civil-military convergence1.9Ethics of disruptive technology1.10Case study: printing medical supplies during the pandemic
2.1Counterfeit and unsafe parts2.2Manufacture of unregistered weapons2.3Controlled components produced by printing2.4Cyberattacks on manufacturing files2.5Sabotage of critical parts2.6Proliferation of capabilities2.7Responsibility of the equipment manufacturer2.8Model distribution platforms2.9Assessing the real risk2.10Case study: the debate on printed firearms
3.1Firearms Directive3.2Control of intangible transfers3.3EU Dual-Use Regulation3.4ITAR and technical data3.5General product safety3.6Liability for defective products3.7Medical Devices Regulation3.8Aerospace quality standards3.9Current regulatory gaps3.10Practical: legal analysis of a model repository
4.1Patents and industrial designs4.2Copyright in 3D models4.3Open licences and their limits4.4Reverse engineering and legality4.5Spare parts and the right to repair4.6Trade secrets4.7Protecting files with watermarks4.8Blockchain for traceability4.9Manufacturing data governance4.10Workshop: licensing policy for a repository
5.1Ultrafine particle emissions5.2Volatile organic compounds5.3Handling metal powders5.4Dust explosion risks5.5Personal protective equipment5.6Ventilation and extraction5.7Safety in educational settings5.8Health surveillance5.9User information5.10Lab: measuring particles in a printing room
6.1Energy consumption of the processes6.2Recycling of powders and filaments6.3Waste from supports and post-processing6.4Comparative life-cycle assessment6.5Weight reduction and efficiency6.6Local manufacturing and transport6.7Circular economy for spare parts6.8Bio-based materials6.9Sustainability indicators6.10Case study: life cycle of a printed spare part
7.1Manufacturers' codes of ethics7.2Technical controls in printers7.3Customer verification in printing services7.4Ethics training for engineers7.5Dialogue with regulators7.6Responsible civil-military cooperation7.7Corporate transparency7.8Technology impact assessment7.9Future scenarios7.10Practical: order acceptance protocol
8.1Selected case study8.2Stakeholders8.3Risks and benefits8.4Applicable regulatory framework8.5Ethical analysis8.6Governance measures8.7Recommendations8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ultimaker Cura, Materialise Magics, SimaPro and Autodesk Fusion, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied on real procedures from analysis of misuse cases, emission measurements in printing rooms and life-cycle assessment of spare parts. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: Directive (EU) 2021/555, Regulation (EU) 2021/821, Regulation (EU) 2023/988, ISO/ASTM 52900, Directive 85/374/EEC, Regulation (EU) 2017/745, ISO/ASTM 52931.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
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 over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Ultimaker Cura, Materialise Magics, SimaPro and Autodesk Fusion, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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