Course in Ethics of UUV Use in Marine Research
Online 300-hour course in ethics of UUV use in marine research. 6 modules covering the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Part XIII, Directive 2008/56/EC (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) and MOOS-IvP. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. 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 unmanned underwater vehicles and their capabilities.
Explain the scientific applications of UUVs in marine research.
Apply the law of the sea regime for marine scientific research.
Analyse ethical issues concerning environmental impact and dual use.
Identify good operational and data management practices.
Process the permits required for a campaign in the waters of third States.
Design a responsible scientific campaign using UUVs.
Who it's for
- Underwater vehicle engineer who wants to specialise in Ethics of UUV Use in Marine Research.
- Oceanographer who wants to specialise in Ethics of UUV Use in Marine Research.
- Marine operations technician who wants to specialise in Ethics of UUV Use in Marine Research.
- Scientific campaign manager who wants to specialise in Ethics of UUV Use in Marine Research.
- Marine environment specialist who wants to specialise in Ethics of UUV Use in Marine Research.
- Marine robotics researcher who wants to specialise in Ethics of UUV Use in Marine Research.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter oceanographic research.
What you'll work with
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Part XIII
- Directive 2008/56/EC (Marine Strategy Framework Directive)
- Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats)
- Law 41/2010 on the protection of the marine environment
- Directive 2014/89/EU (maritime spatial planning)
- International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG, 1972)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1ROVs versus AUVs and gliders1.2AUV architecture1.3Propulsion and energy autonomy1.4Inertial navigation and DVL1.5Acoustic positioning: USBL and LBL1.6Underwater acoustic communications1.7Oceanographic sensors: CTD and sonar1.8Military origins and civil transfer1.9Reference platforms: REMUS and Slocum1.10Workshop: energy budget of an AUV mission
2.1Multibeam bathymetric mapping2.2Physical oceanography and glider networks2.3Marine biology and surveys2.4Underwater archaeology2.5Offshore infrastructure inspection2.6Deep-seabed exploration2.7Climate change monitoring2.8Programmes: Argo and EuroGOOS2.9Collaboration between navies and research centres2.10Case study: the search for flight MH370
3.1United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea3.2Marine scientific research (Part XIII)3.3Zones: territorial sea, EEZ and high seas3.4Consent of the coastal State3.5Legal status of UUVs3.6International Seabed Authority3.7BBNJ Agreement of 20233.8Protection of underwater cultural heritage (UNESCO 2001)3.9Glider capture incidents3.10Practice: application for a research permit in an EEZ
4.1Dual use of oceanographic data4.2Acoustic noise and impact on cetaceans4.3Disturbance of fragile ecosystems4.4Deep-sea mining and liability4.5Human remains and wartime wrecks4.6Open data versus national security4.7Covert surveillance under a scientific guise4.8Equity in access to technology4.9Risks of loss and pollution4.10Case study: the glider incident in the South China Sea
5.1ACCOBAMS noise guidelines5.2Environmental impact assessment5.3Codes of conduct of the scientific community5.4Data management: SeaDataNet and FAIR principles5.5Operational safety during recovery5.6Vehicle classification rules (DNV)5.7Ethics in civil-military cooperation5.8Ethics committees of oceanographic institutes5.9Public communication of results5.10Workshop: acoustic mitigation protocol
6.1Defining scientific objectives6.2Selection of vehicle and sensors6.3Mission planning6.4Permits and legal framework6.5Environmental impact assessment6.6Dual-use risk analysis6.7Data management plan6.8Ethical protocol for the campaign6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable materials, recorded lectures and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulation and applied exercises. The software used is MOOS-IvP, ROS 2, QGIS, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The trials are studied on real procedures for planning oceanographic UUV campaigns, processing marine research permits and assessing impact on marine fauna. Assessment is continuous by module, plus a final integrating 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 unmanned underwater vehicles and their capabilities.
Explain the scientific applications of UUVs in marine research.
Apply the law of the sea regime for marine scientific research.
Analyse ethical issues concerning environmental impact and dual use.
Identify good operational and data management practices.
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 comprises 300 total hours 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 MOOS-IvP, ROS 2, QGIS, MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
SEIUM Institute's own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It 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 higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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