Postgraduate Diploma in Decision-Making, Stress and Performance
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Decision-Making, Stress and Performance. 8 modules covering ISO 10075 (mental workload), ISO 45003 (psychological health at work) and PsychoPy. Dedicated 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
Explain human decision models and cognitive biases in critical situations.
Describe the physiology of stress and its effect on attention and memory.
Measure performance, mental workload and stress using physiological and subjective indicators.
Analyse the relationship between stress and error in high-demand environments.
Design training and resilience programmes based on simulation.
Propose decision support systems and preventive organisational measures.
Develop a performance improvement project under pressure.
Who it's for
- Human factors specialist wishing to specialise in Decision-Making, Stress and Performance.
- Occupational and organisational psychologist wishing to specialise in Decision-Making, Stress and Performance.
- Crew resource management instructor wishing to specialise in Decision-Making, Stress and Performance.
- Psychosocial risk prevention technician wishing to specialise in Decision-Making, Stress and Performance.
- Organisational performance consultant wishing to specialise in Decision-Making, Stress and Performance.
- Decision support systems designer wishing to specialise in Decision-Making, Stress and Performance.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter aviation.
What you'll work with
- ISO 10075 (mental workload)
- ISO 45003 (psychological health at work)
- ISO 6385 (ergonomic principles)
- ISO 11064 (control centre design)
- Law 31/1995 on Occupational Risk Prevention
- Regulation (EU) 1178/2011 (aircrew: CRM training)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Normative and descriptive models1.2Simon's bounded rationality1.3System 1 and system 21.4Heuristics and cognitive biases1.5Naturalistic decision-making1.6Klein's RPD model1.7Endsley's situation awareness1.8Team decision-making1.9Uncertainty and ambiguity1.10Case study: analysis of decisions in an aviation incident
2.1Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and cortisol2.2Autonomic nervous system2.3Cortisol and the acute response2.4Yerkes-Dodson law2.5Acute versus chronic stress2.6Fatigue and sleep deprivation2.7Circadian rhythms and shift work2.8Individual differences in reactivity2.9Stress and working memory2.10Practical: measuring the autonomic response
3.1Heart rate variability3.2Electrodermal activity as a marker3.3Subjective stress scales3.4Cognitive performance tests3.5PVT and psychomotor vigilance3.6Wearables and their limitations3.7Team indicators3.8Induced stress protocols3.9Analysis of physiological data3.10Laboratory: HRV during a task under pressure
4.1Reason's taxonomy of human error4.2Swiss cheese model4.3HFACS human factors classification4.4Tunnel vision and fixation4.5Communication under pressure4.6Loss of situation awareness4.7Automation and complacency4.8Interruptions and multitasking4.9Analysis of landmark accidents4.10Case study: HFACS analysis of an industrial accident
5.1Stress inoculation5.2Simulator training5.3Crew resource management (CRM)5.4Breathing and self-regulation techniques5.5Decision-making training5.6Structured debriefing after simulation5.7Heart rate variability biofeedback5.8Mindfulness and the evidence5.9Evaluation of training effectiveness5.10Workshop: simulation scenario with debriefing
6.1Decision aids6.2Checklists6.3Alarm design6.4State-adaptive automation6.5Human-machine function allocation6.6Ecological interfaces for decision-making6.7AI-based support systems6.8Calibrated trust in automation6.9Workload assessment6.10Practical: redesign of an emergency checklist
7.1Fatigue risk management (FRMS)7.2Shift design7.3Psychosocial risk assessment7.4Just culture and reporting7.5Support after critical incidents7.6Leadership in crisis7.7Wellbeing indicators7.8Working time regulations7.9Burnout prevention7.10Case study: FRMS plan for a control room
8.1Selection of the operational environment8.2Analysis of critical tasks8.3Identification of stressors8.4Measurement plan8.5Design of the training intervention8.6Design measures8.7Evaluation of results8.8Organisational measures plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PsychoPy, Kubios HRV, R, MATLAB, NASA-TLX, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Trials are studied using real procedures for measuring heart rate variability in tasks under pressure, simulation sessions with critical decisions, and mental workload assessment with subjective scales. Assessment is continuous per 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.
Explain human decision models and cognitive biases in critical situations.
Describe the physiology of stress and its effect on attention and memory.
Measure performance, mental workload and stress using physiological and subjective indicators.
Analyse the relationship between stress and error in high-demand environments.
Design training and resilience programmes based on simulation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with PsychoPy, Kubios HRV, R, MATLAB and NASA-TLX. 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 diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher-level programme. Please check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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