Course in Ethics in CBRN Modelling Software
300-hour online course in ethics in CBRN modelling software. 6 modules covering the Chemical Weapons Convention (1993), the Biological Weapons Convention (1972) and ALOHA (CAMEO suite). Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Ethics in CBRN Modelling Software — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a established defence industry centred on companies such as Denel and Paramount Group, with capabilities in land systems, armoured vehicles and munitions. The sector supports engineering roles in systems integration, vehicle design and test and evaluation. Defence procurement and export controls are overseen by government bodies, and the industry works closely with the South African National Defence Force. Engineers in this field typically combine mechanical, electrical and systems skills.
Fees for South Africa: R 12 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies regulate or recognise defence and military engineering professionals?
Engineers in South Africa are registered through ECSA under the Engineering Profession Act, and defence programmes are guided by institutions such as the South African National Defence Force and Armscor, which set their own requirements. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by these bodies and your employer, so confirm with them first.
Would this qualification help me find work in South Africa's defence or land systems sector?
South Africa has a defence industry with state-linked entities and private contractors, and employers usually require security clearances, relevant experience and recognised qualifications. A private online programme may support your application but does not guarantee employment or clearance. Check requirements with prospective employers, as roles in this sector can be sensitive and tightly controlled.
Can I study alongside a job, and are there funding options?
The course is 100% online and taught in English, so you need strong English, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each with an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, so ask whether your employer would fund part of the training.
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 what consequence modelling is for in emergency planning.
Learn, at a conceptual level, the fundamentals and uncertainties of dispersion models.
Design governance policies for access to sensitive software.
Analyse ethical dilemmas in the study and publication of results.
Apply the international non-proliferation regime to research.
Assess the responsible use of models in protecting the population.
Develop an integrative project on the ethical governance of modelling software.
Who it's for
- Emergency planning technician who wants to specialise in Ethics in CBRN Modelling Software.
- Industrial risk analyst who wants to specialise in Ethics in CBRN Modelling Software.
- Civil protection specialist who wants to specialise in Ethics in CBRN Modelling Software.
- Non-proliferation researcher who wants to specialise in Ethics in CBRN Modelling Software.
- Chemical safety adviser who wants to specialise in Ethics in CBRN Modelling Software.
- Manager responsible for sensitive data governance who wants to specialise in Ethics in CBRN Modelling Software.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter civil protection.
What you'll work with
- Chemical Weapons Convention (1993)
- Biological Weapons Convention (1972)
- UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (control of dual-use items)
- Directive 2012/18/EU (Seveso III, major accidents involving dangerous substances)
- International Health Regulations (WHO, 2005)
- Law 17/2015 (National Civil Protection System)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Use in emergency planning and civil protection1.2Use in industrial risk assessment1.3Use in accident investigation1.4What must not be used for optimisation1.5The dual-use nature of modelling software1.6Stakeholders: government, industry, academia and emergency services1.7Reference documents and guidelines1.8Field vocabulary and acronyms1.9Overview of available tools1.10Exercise: defining the legitimate purpose of a study
2.1Atmospheric dispersion models and their families2.2Input data: meteorology, terrain and source2.3Uncertainty in input data2.4Model validation with published experiments2.5Declared limits of applicability2.6Spatial and temporal resolution2.7Simplified versus detailed models2.8Interpretation of results2.9Communicating uncertainty2.10Practice: analysing the assumptions of a published study
3.1Classification of software by sensitivity3.2Access control and authorised users3.3Usage logging and auditing3.4Academic licences and their conditions3.5Export control applicable to the software3.6Restricted distribution and confidentiality agreements3.7Sensitive input data and its custody3.8Software hosting and its security3.9Revoking access and project closure3.10Practice: access policy for a laboratory
4.1Prior ethical review of the study4.2Assessment of foreseeable misuse4.3Publishable level of detail for scenarios4.4Publication of aggregated results4.5Retention of sensitive parameters4.6The role of editors and reviewers4.7Communicating with the media without creating manuals4.8Collaboration with emergency authorities4.9Researcher responsibility4.10Debate: a study with sensitive results
5.1Integration into emergency plans5.2Training of model users5.3Validating results with real measurements5.4Decision-making with uncertain results5.5Study documentation and traceability5.6Independent review of the calculation5.7Updating the model and its data5.8Quality indicators for the study5.9Auditing software use5.10Practice: report on a planning study
6.1Choosing the emergency planning case6.2Defining the purpose and limits of the study6.3Selecting the model and input data6.4Uncertainty analysis6.5Access and data custody policy6.6Ethical and foreseeable misuse analysis6.7Responsible publication plan6.8Integration into the emergency plan6.9Study report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ALOHA (CAMEO suite), HYSPLIT (NOAA), QGIS, Python (pandas), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real procedures from emergency planning studies, uncertainty analysis of dispersion models and reviews of software access governance. Assessment is continuous, module by 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.
Understand what consequence modelling is for in emergency planning.
Learn, at a conceptual level, the fundamentals and uncertainties of dispersion models.
Design governance policies for access to sensitive software.
Analyse ethical dilemmas in the study and publication of results.
Apply the international non-proliferation regime to research.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is 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.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with ALOHA (CAMEO suite), HYSPLIT (NOAA), QGIS and Python (pandas). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the crediting policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Course in Seismic Vulnerability of Military Land Structures
Online 300-hour course in seismic vulnerability of military land structures. 6 modules covering EN 1998-1 (Eurocode 8: design of structures for earthquake resistance), EN 1998-3 (Eurocode…
Course in Environmental Impact of Armoured Vehicles
Online 300-hour course in environmental impact of armoured vehicles. 6 modules covering ISO 14040 (life cycle assessment: principles), ISO 14044 (life cycle assessment: requirements) and SimaPro.…
ISO/IEC 27001 Course in Military Environments
Online course of 300 h in ISO/IEC 27001 in military environments. 6 modules covering ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (information security management), ISO/IEC 27002:2022 (security controls) and PILAR (CCN).…
More in Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems
All Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships