Global Health > Short Courses > Details > Risk Assessment Methods
Risk Assessment Methods
- Including a three week optional field trip to Bangladesh
Assessing risks is a crucial task in any serious attempt to substantially reduce disaster losses. Without an understanding of the relevant risks, it is impossible to effectively prepare for or reduce them.
This intensive course focuses on the entire risk assessment process, from different methods for analysing risk to evaluating their results. The concept of vulnerability is vital in this context, as it allows us to understand why some individuals or systems are at more risk than others, thus widening our scope of possibilities for risk reduction.
The students of this course have the option to go on a three-week field trip to Bangladesh. This gives the student a chance to work in a developing country with the risk assessment methods they learn during the first week of the course. Students who choose not to go to Bangladesh will be doing a three-week desk study on a risk assessment case chosen by the course coordinator.
On completion of the course, students will be able to critically analyse different types of hazards and their potential consequences, as well as the central underlying aspects that influence the vulnerabilities and capacities of individuals and societies. Through insight into a variety of methods for risk analysis, students will gain the professional skills to provide an adequate response based on evidence.
Application deadline for this course was 11 December 2012
Institution:
This course is offered by Copenhagen School of Global Health, University of Copenhagen as part of the programme Master of Disaster Management.
This course takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the option of going on a field trip to Bangladesh.
Course coordinator:
Type:
This is an optional advanced course in the Master of Disaster Management programme.
Duration:
4 March - 12 April 2013
- 4 - 8 March: Full time lectures in Copenhagen
- 11 - 29 March: Field work in Bangladesh (or the alternative desk study, which can be done from anywhere).
- 12 April: Exam submission
ECTS credits:
5 ECTS
Language:
English
Objectives:
The aim of the course is to:
- prepare the students so that they are able to assess risk as a foundation for risk reduction and preparedness planning, and
- provide a foundation for students interested in research to be used as a base for their research in the field of risk and vulnerability assessment.
At the end of the course students must:
- be able to critically analyse different types of hazards and their potential consequences.
- be able to critically analyse central underlying aspects that influences the vulnerabilities and capacities of individuals and societies.
- understand how risk perception influences the evaluation of risks.
For a passing grade the student must:
- be able to critically analyse and draw conclusions from completed risk analyses
- be able to analyse risks based on different types of methods for risk analysis.
- be able to critically evaluate the results from risk analyses.
- be able to make decision analyses based on completed risk analyses.
Content:
The course is focused on the basics of risk assessment including definitions of risk, methods for risk analysis, decision analysis, and management of uncertainty. A central part of the course is the case which involves performing a risk assessment for an area/city. The students will work with the case throughout the course.
Methods:
- Lectures on research in the field of risk assessment.
- Exercises on practical applications of risk assessment methods.
- Class-room sessions with analytical discussions on risk assessment issues.
- Literature seminars.
Assessment Procedures:
The examination is based upon an assessment of a written individual report in which the students present their risk analysis of a given case, as well as their reflections around issues raised by the course management regarding the risk assessment process. Parts of the report can be written in cooperation with other students that belong to the same case group.
Grading according to the Danish 7-scale - internal moderation.
Prerequisites:
The applicants must live up to the Master of Disaster Management admission criteria.
It is recommended that students taking this course are familiar with spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel or equivalent).
Class size:
The number of participants is limited to 40. The course may be cancelled if there are less than 12 participants.
Fees:
Reduced fee: DKK 18,500
For students from EU/EEA, and students with a DIS, Fulbright or Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship.
Normal fee: DKK 25,000
For all other students.
For approximate exchange rates between DKK (Danish Krone) and other currencies please contact your bank or visit this website. All fees are subject to regulation.
Students who wish to participate in the 3 week optional field trip to Bangladesh will have to pay their own flights, travel insurance, accommodation and vaccinations.
Scholarships:
We do not offer any scholarships, nor can we assist in finding funding, but on our page about scholarships we have collected some information that might be useful.
