Course in Ethics in CBRN Sensor Development
Online 300-hour course in ethics in CBRN sensor development. 6 modules covering the Chemical Weapons Convention (1993), the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (1972) and MATLAB. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Ethics in CBRN Sensor Development — 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 8 340 (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
Describe the types of CBRN sensors from a protection perspective.
Interpret the international non-proliferation framework.
Assess the reliability and validation of detection systems.
Apply biosafety principles and safe handling in development.
Analyse the responsible use of data and technology.
Assess the ethical consequences of detection errors.
Prepare an ethical assessment of a detection sensor.
Who it's for
- Sensor engineer who wants to specialise in Ethics in CBRN Sensor Development.
- Biosafety officer who wants to specialise in Ethics in CBRN Sensor Development.
- Accredited laboratory technician who wants to specialise in Ethics in CBRN Sensor Development.
- Non-proliferation analyst who wants to specialise in Ethics in CBRN Sensor Development.
- Quality engineer who wants to specialise in Ethics in CBRN Sensor Development.
- Detection researcher who wants to specialise in Ethics in CBRN Sensor Development.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter civil protection and emergencies.
What you'll work with
- Chemical Weapons Convention (1993)
- Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (1972)
- UN Security Council Resolution 1540
- ISO 35001 (biorisk management in laboratories)
- ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
- Directive 2013/59/Euratom (radiological protection)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (dual-use items)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats1.2Detection principles: ion mobility spectrometry, PCR and radiation detectors1.3Point detection versus standoff detection1.4Uses: defence, civil protection, customs and public health1.5Laboratories and industry in the sector1.6Protective purpose of detection1.7Research ethics in CBRN defence1.8Groups affected by detection failures1.9Dual use of detection knowledge1.10Case study: detection at the 1995 Tokyo attack
2.1Chemical Weapons Convention and the OPCW2.2Biological Weapons Convention2.3Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and IAEA safeguards2.4UN Security Council Resolution 15402.5Permitted research for protective purposes2.6Substance schedules and verification programmes2.7Australia Group and export control2.8Transparency and confidence-building measures2.9Role of the scientific community2.10Case study: OPCW investigation in Syria
3.1False positives and false alarms3.2False negatives and risk to life3.3Interferents and validation in real environments3.4ISO/IEC 17025 in testing laboratories3.5Simulants and their representativeness3.6Acceptance testing and certification3.7Honest reporting of performance3.8Commercial pressure on specifications3.9Maintenance and calibration3.10Practice: interpreting ROC curves of a detector
4.1Biological containment levels4.2ISO 35001 biorisk management4.3Radiological protection: Royal Decree 1029/20224.4Radioactive sources and their control4.5Physical security of reference materials4.6Training and health surveillance4.7Hazardous waste management4.8Incident notification4.9Safety culture4.10Workshop: risk assessment of a validation laboratory
5.1Sensor networks and population surveillance5.2Health data in biosurveillance systems5.3Privacy and wastewater surveillance5.4Public alerts and the risk of panic5.5Fairness in protecting the population5.6Export of detectors and end use5.7Publication of sensitive results5.8Manufacturer responsibility5.9Lessons from COVID-195.10Case study: biosurveillance network at a major event
6.1Description of the sensor and its application6.2Applicable regulatory framework6.3Performance and error analysis6.4Biosafety and radiological protection assessment6.5Dual-use and export analysis6.6Privacy assessment6.7Recommendations6.8Monitoring plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
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 intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python (pandas), Minitab, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied using real sensor validation procedures in an accredited laboratory, analysis of false positives and negatives, and biosafety reviews. 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.
Describe the types of CBRN sensors from a protection perspective.
Interpret the international non-proliferation framework.
Assess the reliability and validation of detection systems.
Apply biosafety principles and safe handling in development.
Analyse the responsible use of data and technology.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.
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 consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python (pandas), Minitab. 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. 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 in the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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