Computers and Safety (CASA)

This short course is primarily intended to give system safety engineers an introduction to the issues that must be considered when computers are used in safety-critical or safety-related applications. 

Designed for flexibility, this course can be taken on a stand-alone basis for continuing professional development (CPD) or can count towards the completion of a postgraduate award.

The course starts with a rapid overview of how computer systems work, from basic hardware components up to application software. The emphasis throughout this introduction is on highlighting areas that are of potential concern to safety engineers.

This introduction is followed by a more in-depth examination of the software development process, considering especially aspects of requirements specification, design and analysis that are critical to deployment of computers in safety-critical applications. The course also considers the structuring and collection of evidence for the software safety case.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the principles of the contribution of computers and software to the safety characteristics of a system.
• Describe and justify approaches to the safe design of software for safety related systems.
• Derive safety requirements on software elements of safety related systems.
• Explain approaches for assessment, verification and validation of the safety properties of software elements of a system.
• Demonstrate how to provide a compelling software safety assurance case for a system.

Course delivery

This course is taught in a blended format, comprising face-to-face sessions on campus and online learning. 

Face-to-face teaching will consist of three days of on campus teaching, taking place from Tuesday to Thursday of the teaching week at the University of York. The on-campus teaching will include lectures as well as extensive group exercises where you will have the opportunity to apply what you have learned through case studies.

You will also have 15 hours of self-study to complete in your own time. This includes preparatory work to finish before your on-campus sessions – which we’ll send on Friday 26 February 2027 – as well as materials to review afterward.

Assessment

Once you complete the taught element, you can opt to complete a coursework-based assessment.

Coursework is completed remotely and is expected to take 65 hours to complete, including additional reading. The assessment is compulsory for students who require the module to be credited towards a degree award.

Progression to postgraduate awards

This module can count as credit towards the following postgraduate awards, subject to eligibility criteria. 

• Safety Critical Systems Engineering (MSc)
• Safety Critical Systems Engineering (PGDip)
• Safety Critical Systems Engineering (PGCert)

If you pursue further study, you may be eligible to credit a portion of your current course fees toward your future tuition. 

For full details, please see the terms and conditions.

Book your place

Booking for this course closes on Friday 12 February 2027.

To secure your place, please complete the two-part process below. Please also ensure you have read our terms and conditions.