Course in Ethics in the Academic Use of Military Engineering
Online 300-hour course in ethics in the academic use of military engineering. 6 modules covering the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ALLEA, 2023), Law 14/2011 on Science, Technology and Innovation and Zotero. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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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 relationship between professional ethics and engineering applied to defence.
Describe the role of the university in defence-funded research.
Explain the legal and control framework applicable to military research.
Assess ethical criteria for teaching military engineering.
Apply responsible assessment methodologies to research projects.
Debate institutional positions on university-defence collaboration.
Draft an academic ethics protocol for projects with military application.
Who it's for
- Member of a research ethics committee who wishes to specialise in Ethics in the Academic Use of Military Engineering.
- Engineering lecturer with an ethical focus who wishes to specialise in Ethics in the Academic Use of Military Engineering.
- R&D project manager in defence who wishes to specialise in Ethics in the Academic Use of Military Engineering.
- Research integrity adviser who wishes to specialise in Ethics in the Academic Use of Military Engineering.
- Researcher in technology ethics who wishes to specialise in Ethics in the Academic Use of Military Engineering.
- Person responsible for university research policy who wishes to specialise in Ethics in the Academic Use of Military Engineering.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter university and research.
What you'll work with
- European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ALLEA, 2023)
- Law 14/2011 on Science, Technology and Innovation
- Regulation (EU) 2021/697 (European Defence Fund)
- Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, Art. 36
- Law 53/2007 on the control of foreign trade in defence and dual-use materials
- Recommendation (EU) 2021/1700 (compliance in dual-use research)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Ethical theories: deontology, consequentialism and virtue1.2Professional responsibility of the engineer1.3Professional codes of ethics of IEEE, ASME and NSPE1.4Ethics of scientific research1.5Academic integrity and misconduct1.6The problem of dual use of knowledge1.7The neutrality of technology: critiques1.8The just war theory in engineering1.9Conscientious objection in research1.10Workshop: analysis of a dilemma using several ethical frameworks
2.1History of university military funding2.2Models: DARPA and the European Defence Fund2.3Clauses for exclusively civilian use2.4Debate on military research on campus2.5Transparency of agreements and contracts2.6Information classification and publication2.7Academic freedom and restrictions2.8Student participation in projects2.9Institutional ethics committees2.10Case study: assessment of a research agreement
3.1International humanitarian law and weapons3.2Article 36 of Additional Protocol I3.3Regulation (EU) 2021/821 on dual-use items3.4Control of intangible technology transfers3.5Law 53/2007 on foreign trade in defence materials3.6Data protection in research3.7Foreign researchers and licences3.8Intellectual property in defence projects3.9Institutional responsibility and sanctions3.10Practical exercise: classifying a technology using Annex I
4.1Legitimate content in technical training4.2Academic versus operational approach4.3Curriculum design with an ethical perspective4.4Reflective seminars and service learning4.5Assessment of ethical competences4.6Use of historical cases in class4.7Diversity of student positions4.8Training of military personnel in civilian universities4.9Lecturers with industry ties4.10Workshop: designing an applied ethics session
5.1Prior ethical assessment of projects5.2Dual-use risk matrices5.3Responsible research and innovation (RRI)5.4Anticipating misuse5.5Stakeholder engagement5.6Responsible publication of results5.7Review by independent committees5.8Indicators of social impact5.9Accountability and monitoring5.10Case study: ethical report on a published project
6.1Diagnosis of a reference institution6.2Identification of risks and actors6.3Review of international good practice6.4Proposal of guiding principles6.5Design of an assessment procedure6.6Training and internal communication6.7Monitoring mechanisms6.8Validation with stakeholders6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Zotero, NVivo, Microsoft Forms, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real ethical evaluation procedures for research proposals, design of research ethics committee protocols and teaching case studies in military engineering. 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.
Analyse the relationship between professional ethics and engineering applied to defence.
Describe the role of the university in defence-funded research.
Explain the legal and control framework applicable to military research.
Assess ethical criteria for teaching military engineering.
Apply responsible assessment methodologies to research projects.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of 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 consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
The course uses Zotero, NVivo, Microsoft Forms and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the open-source alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM on 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 are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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