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Master’s in Advanced CBRN Protection and Plume Modelling Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in advanced CBRN protection engineering and plume modelling: 12 modules covering source terms, dispersion meteorology, Gaussian, dense-gas and Lagrangian models, CFD, toxicology, radiological dispersion, protective measures, data assimilation and decision support, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Characterise source terms in accidental scenarios.

02

Apply boundary-layer meteorology to dispersion.

03

Use Gaussian, Lagrangian and dense-gas models.

04

Simulate dispersion in urban environments with CFD.

05

Assess exposure using toxicological and dosimetric criteria.

06

Design individual and collective protective measures.

07

Validate dispersion models with statistical metrics.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Atmospheric dispersion modellers.
  • CBRN protection specialists.
  • Industrial safety engineers.
  • Radiological emergency technicians.
  • Technological risk analysts.
  • Air quality researchers.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to work in civil protection and emergency services.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Directive 2012/18/EU (Seveso III) (control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances)
  • Directive 2013/59/Euratom (basic safety standards for radiation protection)
  • EN 14387 (gas filters and combined filters)
  • EN 943 (chemical protective suits)
  • Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 (CLP) (classification, labelling and packaging of substances)
  • EPA Guideline on Air Quality Models (technical guidance for air quality modelling)
  • ISO 16890 (air filters for general ventilation)
  • ALOHA
  • HYSPLIT
  • OpenFOAM
  • AERMOD
  • JRODOS
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Industrial and accidental scenarios
  2. 1.2Source term characterisation
  3. 1.3Gas and liquid leaks
  4. 1.4Pool evaporation
  5. 1.5Releases in fires
  6. 1.6Accidental radiological emissions
  7. 1.7Biological aerosols
  8. 1.8Substance property databases
  9. 1.9Source term uncertainty
  10. 1.10Case study: source term of an ammonia leak
  1. 2.1Atmospheric boundary layer
  2. 2.2Pasquill-Gifford stability
  3. 2.3Monin-Obukhov theory
  4. 2.4Wind and turbulence profiles
  5. 2.5Temperature inversions
  6. 2.6Meteorology in urban environments
  7. 2.7Weather stations and meteorological data
  8. 2.8WRF meteorological models
  9. 2.9ERA5 reanalysis
  10. 2.10Practical: stability classification with real data
  1. 3.1Gaussian plume equation
  2. 3.2Dispersion coefficients
  3. 3.3Briggs plume rise
  4. 3.4Reflection at the ground and the inversion
  5. 3.5Dry and wet deposition
  6. 3.6Puff models
  7. 3.7AERMOD and its formulation
  8. 3.8Limitations of Gaussian models
  9. 3.9Validation with experimental campaigns
  10. 3.10Lab: implementing a Gaussian plume in Python
  1. 4.1Behaviour of gases denser than air
  2. 4.2SLAB and DEGADIS models
  3. 4.3Lagrangian particle models
  4. 4.4Eulerian transport models
  5. 4.5HYSPLIT for long-range transport
  6. 4.6FLEXPART and its applications
  7. 4.7Dispersion over complex terrain
  8. 4.8Model comparison
  9. 4.9Model selection by scenario
  10. 4.10Practical: backward trajectories with HYSPLIT
  1. 5.1Transport equations and turbulence
  2. 5.2RANS and LES models
  3. 5.3Meshing of urban environments
  4. 5.4Atmospheric boundary conditions
  5. 5.5Dispersion indoors and in tunnels
  6. 5.6OpenFOAM for dispersion
  7. 5.7Validation with wind tunnel data
  8. 5.8Computational cost and parallelisation
  9. 5.9Post-processing and visualisation
  10. 5.10Lab: urban dispersion with OpenFOAM
  1. 6.1Dose, concentration and time
  2. 6.2Acute and chronic toxicity
  3. 6.3AEGL, ERPG and TEEL values
  4. 6.4Occupational exposure limits
  5. 6.5Probit effect models
  6. 6.6Inhalation exposure
  7. 6.7Vulnerable populations
  8. 6.8Effects of mixtures
  9. 6.9Toxicological data sources
  10. 6.10Case study: impact zones using AEGL criteria
  1. 7.1Radiological emissions to the atmosphere
  2. 7.2Inhalation and cloud dose models
  3. 7.3Deposition and ground-shine dose
  4. 7.4JRODOS and RASCAL tools
  5. 7.5Intervention levels
  6. 7.6Lessons from Chernobyl and Fukushima
  7. 7.7Radiological early-warning networks
  8. 7.8Communication of results
  9. 7.9Integration with emergency plans
  10. 7.10Practical: dose calculation with RASCAL
  1. 8.1Respiratory protective equipment
  2. 8.2Suits and protection factors
  3. 8.3Collective protection and filtration
  4. 8.4Shelter-in-place versus evacuation
  5. 8.5Shelters and safe buildings
  6. 8.6HVAC systems and CBRN filters
  7. 8.7Decontamination of people
  8. 8.8Surface decontamination
  9. 8.9Testing of protective equipment
  10. 8.10Workshop: shelter-in-place analysis of a building
  1. 9.1Gas sensors and networks
  2. 9.2Radiological detectors
  3. 9.3Remote sensing of plumes
  4. 9.4Drones for sampling
  5. 9.5Data assimilation in models
  6. 9.6Inverse estimation of the source term
  7. 9.7Bayesian methods
  8. 9.8Fusion of models and measurements
  9. 9.9Real-time visualisation
  10. 9.10Lab: inverse source estimation with Python
  1. 10.1Off-site emergency plans
  2. 10.2Intervention and alert zones
  3. 10.3Decision support systems
  4. 10.4GIS integration
  5. 10.5Evacuation and traffic modelling
  6. 10.6Communication with the public
  7. 10.7Exercises and drills
  8. 10.8Effectiveness indicators
  9. 10.9Lessons learned
  10. 10.10Case study: zoning of an off-site emergency plan
  1. 11.1Seveso III Directive and risk analysis
  2. 11.2Radiation protection regulations
  3. 11.3Model evaluation guidelines
  4. 11.4Model verification and validation
  5. 11.5BOOT evaluation protocols
  6. 11.6Software quality assurance
  7. 11.7Documentation of studies
  8. 11.8Ethics in communicating results
  9. 11.9The modeller's responsibility
  10. 11.10Workshop: statistical evaluation of a model with BOOT
  1. 12.1Definition of the scenario
  2. 12.2Source term characterisation
  3. 12.3Meteorological analysis
  4. 12.4Model selection and application
  5. 12.5Assessment of exposure and effects
  6. 12.6Proposal of protective measures
  7. 12.7Uncertainty analysis
  8. 12.8Conclusions and recommendations
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training 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 the intake, so you can combine it with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ALOHA, HYSPLIT, OpenFOAM, AERMOD and JRODOS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for atmospheric dispersion simulation with Gaussian and Lagrangian models, inverse estimation of emission sources and CFD modelling of urban dispersion. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: Directive 2012/18/EU (Seveso III), Directive 2013/59/Euratom, EN 14387, EN 943, Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 (CLP), EPA Guideline on Air Quality Models, ISO 16890.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of Directive 2012/18/EU (Seveso III), Directive 2013/59/Euratom and EN 14387 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:ALOHA, HYSPLIT, OpenFOAM, AERMOD and JRODOS, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete dispersion and protection study for a CBRN release scenario, from source term and meteorology to exposure assessment, protective measures and uncertainty analysis, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Scenario and source term
Define the release scenario and characterise its source term and uncertainty.
Meteorological analysis
Analyse stability and boundary-layer conditions from real meteorological data.
Dispersion modelling
Select and apply Gaussian, Lagrangian or CFD models to simulate the plume.
Exposure and protection
Assess exposure with AEGL and dosimetric criteria and propose protective measures.
Master's Thesis
The complete dispersion and protection study with uncertainty analysis, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Atmospheric Dispersion ModellerCBRN Protection SpecialistIndustrial Safety EngineerRadiological Emergency TechnicianTechnological Risk AnalystAir Quality Researcher
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer able to run the programme 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.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with ALOHA, HYSPLIT, OpenFOAM, AERMOD and JRODOS, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), 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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