Diploma in Modelling and Simulation of Chemical and Radiological Plumes
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in modelling and simulation of chemical and radiological plumes. 8 modules covering boundary layer meteorology, source terms, Gaussian, Lagrangian and CFD models, dosimetry, decision support systems and model validation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Modelling and Simulation of Chemical and Radiological Plumes — 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: US$1,440 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
What US bodies and clearance rules apply to defense and land-systems engineering?
Defense engineering in the US is shaped by the Department of Defense and agencies such as the Army Contracting Command, with work often requiring security clearances issued through federal processes. Professional engineering bodies include the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and ASME for mechanical systems. Licensure, where needed, comes from state boards. SEIUM's private qualifications are not official degrees and do not confer clearances or licences.
Do US defense contractors and government employers recognize private engineering qualifications?
US defense primes and government employers typically require US citizenship for many roles, security clearances, and accredited degrees or proven experience. A private online qualification is not a substitute for these and is assessed by each employer. It may complement existing expertise, but it should not be relied on as a route into cleared or government positions.
Can a US-based engineer study land-systems topics online alongside full-time work?
Yes, the programmes are online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. The workload is about 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 hours for a postgraduate diploma, or 300 hours for a specialist course. Each student receives an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and some employers fund training, so you may wish to ask your employer about support.
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 the physics of atmospheric dispersion of pollutants.
Characterise source terms for chemical and radiological releases.
Apply Gaussian, Lagrangian and CFD models to plume prediction.
Integrate meteorological data into modelling.
Estimate doses and concentrations to support protective decisions.
Validate models against field trials and monitoring data.
Support emergency planning with simulation results.
Who it's for
- Atmospheric dispersion analysts.
- Civil protection specialists.
- Industrial safety engineers.
- Radiological emergency specialists.
- Applied meteorologists.
- Emergency plan consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter civil protection.
What you'll work with
- NATO ATP-45 (CBRN warning, reporting and hazard prediction)
- Directive 2013/59/Euratom (basic safety standards for radiation protection)
- IAEA GSR Part 7 (emergency preparedness and response)
- Directive 2012/18/EU Seveso III (major-accident hazards)
- Royal Decree 1564/2010 (Spanish basic civil protection guideline for radiological risk)
- IAEA EPR-NPP Public Protective Actions 2013 (public protective actions)
- AEGL and ERPG (exposure guideline levels)
- ALOHA
- HYSPLIT
- RASCAL
- FLEXPART
- JRODOS
8 modules
1.1Structure of the atmospheric boundary layer1.2Atmospheric stability and Pasquill classes1.3Wind profiles and roughness1.4Turbulence and diffusion1.5Temperature inversions1.6Effects of complex terrain1.7Weather station and radiosonde data1.8Numerical weather models1.9Local climatology and wind roses1.10Practical exercise: stability classification with real data
2.1Continuous and instantaneous releases2.2Dense gas leaks2.3Pool evaporation2.4Emissions from fires2.5Radiological releases and nuclides2.6Inventory and release fraction2.7Plume rise2.8Source term uncertainty2.9Releases from stacks and vents2.10Case study: estimation of an industrial source term
3.1The Gaussian plume equation3.2Dispersion coefficients3.3Puff models3.4Ground and mixing layer reflection3.5Dry and wet deposition3.6Dense gas models3.7Limitations of Gaussian models3.8The ALOHA tool3.9Short-range dispersion3.10Lab: simulation of a leak with ALOHA
4.1Lagrangian particle models4.2HYSPLIT and FLEXPART4.3Eulerian transport models4.4Dispersion in urban environments4.5CFD with RANS and LES4.6Coupling with weather forecasting4.7Computational cost and real time4.8Comparison between models4.9Long-range dispersion4.10Practical exercise: plume trajectory with HYSPLIT
5.1Time-integrated concentration5.2AEGL, ERPG and TEEL guideline levels5.3Inhalation and immersion dose5.4External exposure from deposition5.5Dose coefficients5.6Planning zones5.7Criteria for protecting the population5.8Dose uncertainty5.9Contamination of food and water5.10Case study: definition of protection zones
6.1RASCAL and JRODOS6.2Radiological early-warning networks6.3Integration with GIS6.4Assimilation of measurement data6.5The ATP-45 hazard prediction protocol6.6Communicating results to decision-makers6.7Exercises and drills6.8Lessons from Fukushima and Chernobyl6.9Air quality sensor networks6.10Workshop: decision support exercise
7.1Reference field campaigns7.2Statistical evaluation metrics7.3Sensitivity analysis7.4Uncertainty propagation7.5Ensemble models7.6Documentation and quality control7.7Accreditation of tools7.8Good modelling practice7.9Verification against real exercises7.10Lab: statistical evaluation of a model
8.1Definition of the study scenario8.2Meteorological characterisation8.3Source term estimation8.4Simulation with two models8.5Estimation of doses and zones8.6Uncertainty analysis8.7Protection recommendations8.8Technical report of the study8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online learning 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 fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ALOHA, HYSPLIT, RASCAL, FLEXPART and JRODOS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: simulation of an industrial leak with ALOHA, comparison of Gaussian and Lagrangian models and analysis of a radiological emergency exercise. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: NATO ATP-45, Directive 2013/59/Euratom, IAEA GSR Part 7, Directive 2012/18/EU Seveso III, Royal Decree 1564/2010, IAEA EPR-NPP Public Protective Actions 2013, AEGL and ERPG.
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 ALOHA, HYSPLIT, RASCAL, FLEXPART and JRODOS, 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 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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