Diploma in CBRN Decontamination Strategies
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in CBRN decontamination strategies, structured in 8 modules covering CBRN agents, the chemistry and physics of decontamination, doctrine, decontamination of people, equipment and infrastructure, detection and verification, and regulation under AJP-3.8, ATP-3.8.1 Volume I and the Chemical Weapons Convention (1993), with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in CBRN Decontamination Strategies — 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 33 400 (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
Identify the main CBRN agents and their contamination pathways.
Understand the chemical and physical mechanisms of decontamination.
Design decontamination stations in line with current doctrine.
Plan the safe decontamination of people and casualties.
Select techniques for equipment, vehicles and infrastructure.
Verify decontamination effectiveness with detection methods.
Apply the legal and ethical framework to CBRN incident management.
Who it's for
- CBRN defence technicians in the armed forces.
- Chemical emergency managers in industry and public administration.
- Civil protection coordinators planning the response to CBRN incidents.
- Industrial safety specialists dealing with toxic industrial chemicals.
- Emergency planning consultants drafting contingency plans.
- Radiation protection technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- AJP-3.8 (Allied joint doctrine for CBRN defence)
- ATP-3.8.1 Volume I (CBRN defence)
- Chemical Weapons Convention (1993) (prohibition of chemical weapons)
- STANAG 2150 (NATO standards of proficiency for CBRN defence training)
- Royal Decree 783/2001 (Spanish regulation on health protection against ionising radiation)
- UNE-EN 14126 (protective clothing against infective agents)
- International Health Regulations (2005) (WHO framework for public health emergencies)
- HPAC
- ALOHA
- CAMEO Chemicals
- RASCAL
- ArcGIS Pro
8 modules
1.1Classification of toxic chemical agents1.2Biological agents: risk groups1.3Radionuclides and radioactive contamination1.4Persistence of agents on surfaces1.5Transfer mechanisms and cross-contamination1.6Basic toxicology and exposure limits1.7Hydrolysis and oxidation chemistry of agents1.8Environmental behaviour: soil, water and air1.9TIC/TIM industrial scenarios1.10Case study: persistence profile of an industrial toxic
2.1Neutralisation and degradation reactions2.2Oxidants: hypochlorite, peroxides and permanganate2.3Reactive decontaminants and emulsions2.4Sorbents and dry decontamination2.5Radiological decontamination by flushing2.6Fixing contamination with strippable coatings2.7Compatibility of decontaminants with materials2.8Kinetics and contact time2.9Management of effluents and generated waste2.10Lab: effectiveness of oxidants on simulants
3.1Immediate, operational and thorough decontamination3.2NATO doctrine AJP-3.8 and ATP-3.8.13.3Planning of decontamination stations3.4Zoning: hot, warm and cold3.5Flows of personnel, equipment and vehicles3.6Civil-military coordination in emergencies3.7Integration with civil protection and health services3.8Logistics of water, products and consumables3.9Release and verification criteria3.10Case study: design of a decontamination line
4.1Mass casualty decontamination4.2Dry versus wet decontamination4.3Non-ambulatory and vulnerable casualties4.4Triage and medical decontamination4.5Protection of responders4.6Personal protective equipment by level4.7Heat stress and work times4.8Management of belongings and traceability4.9Psychological aspects and communication4.10Practical exercise: mass decontamination drill
5.1Decontamination of vehicles and aircraft5.2Sensitive equipment and electronics5.3Decontamination of buildings and interiors5.4Fumigation with vaporised hydrogen peroxide5.5Chlorine dioxide and gaseous decontamination5.6Decontamination of terrain and pavements5.7Recovery of critical infrastructure5.8Management of contaminated waste5.9Final disposal and ADR transport5.10Case study: recovery of a public building
6.1Field chemical detection and IMS spectrometry6.2Rapid biological identification and PCR6.3Dosimetry and surface contamination6.4Sampling and chain of custody6.5Decontamination effectiveness indicators6.6Tests with simulants and indicator agents6.7Cleanliness criteria and release thresholds6.8Data recording and traceability6.9Validation of procedures against standards6.10Lab: swab verification and instrumental reading
7.1Chemical Weapons Convention and OPCW7.2Biological Weapons Convention7.3International Health Regulations7.4Radiation protection regulations7.5Risk analysis and contingency plans7.6Training and drills7.7Personnel health and safety7.8Ethics of intervention and victims' rights7.9Lessons learned from real incidents7.10Case study: analysis of the Salisbury incident
8.1Definition of the study scenario8.2Analysis of agents and threats8.3Selection of techniques and products8.4Design of the station and flows8.5Detection and verification plan8.6Logistics and waste plan8.7Residual risk assessment8.8Training and exercise plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The programme is 100% online 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 it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. You work with HPAC, ALOHA, CAMEO Chemicals, RASCAL and ArcGIS Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for effectiveness tests with chemical simulants, swab verification with instrumental reading and mass decontamination drills. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: AJP-3.8, ATP-3.8.1 Volume I, Chemical Weapons Convention (1993), STANAG 2150, Royal Decree 783/2001, UNE-EN 14126 and International Health Regulations (2005).
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's 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 HPAC, ALOHA, CAMEO Chemicals, RASCAL and ArcGIS Pro, 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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