Course description
Duration
This course is only available by attendance-free distance learning. The minimum recommended duration is two years for distance learning, although the structure is more flexible and the course can be taken over up to seven years. There are three possible start dates per year in October, January and May. Distance learning students also have the chance to take exams for some modules in September as well as late April. Remote exams can be set up at a small extra fee in most parts of the world.
Distance learning students receive comprehensive module study packs by post. A PC with e-mail and Internet access is essential.
For the project component of the courses distance learners are likely to develop something based in their country of residence with advice and supervision from staff in the School. This may well include work with a local company or may involve independent study. Individual arrangements will be set up with each student. Presentation arrangements will also be set up individually.
It may be possible for some distance learning students to attend some of the on-campus teaching sessions if it is convenient. To do so they would need to make sure that the member of staff teaching the course and course leader are willing to accommodate them and that there is space available in the class. There is no guarantee that this will be possible.
Overview
Safety, environmental protection and reliability are important in all areas of engineering activity. Concern for the environment and a number of recent disasters have focused attention on the hazards and risks involved in a wide range of activities from offshore oil production to rail and air transport, from the design of football stadiums to the operation of chemical plants. There are now several engineering and management techniques available to assess risk and reliability to try to bring about acceptable levels of safety and environmental protection. These techniques, most of which are not considered in detail at undergraduate level, are underpinning new legislation and codes of practice worldwide.
This course is designed to give a thorough understanding of these techniques and of their application to a wide variety of real problems. Most students undertake their project work in conjunction with industry and spend up to three months on placement in a company. Given the severe shortage of engineers and scientists with this training, there are excellent career prospects for graduates from this course in major international management and engineering consultancies, in national and multi-national companies, in government agencies and public utilities, and in the expanding area of research.
CORE MODULES
* Systems Reliability
* Human Factors
* Risk Perception, Assessment and Management
* Statistics, Data Analysis and Extreme Events
* Structural Safety and Reliability
* Environmental Policy and Risk
* Fire Safety, Explosions and Process Safety
* System Modelling and Simulation
