Accessibility statement

Hazard & Risk Assessment - COM00025M

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  • Department: Computer Science
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This module teaches systematic approaches to hazard identification and risk assessment, including principles of risk reduction and ALARP. It effectively covers the first half of the safety process in the system development lifecycle. It encompasses predictive, target-setting techniques and should ideally be taken as a pair with System Safety Assessment, which addresses concepts and techniques appropriate to the later stages of a development project.

Module learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate understanding of the principles of hazard identification and assessment throughout the lifecycle of a system or service.

  • Apply techniques such as Functional Failure Analysis and HAZOP and understand their limitations.

  • Describe and evaluate approaches to risk reduction.

  • Account for and reflect upon common cause / common mode failure mechanisms, and their importance.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 60
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 40

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 60
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 40

Module feedback

Individual feedback is provided via the online feedback system. There will be structured feedback showing how your answers achieved the specific points we were looking for in the marking scheme, and additional comments may be provided where required.

Indicative reading

* Ostrom, L.T. and Wilhelmsen, C.A.,, Risk Assessment, Wiley, 2012

++ Kletz, T., HAZOP and HAZAN: Identifying and Assessing Process Industry Hazards, Institution of Chemical Engineers, 1992

++ Ericson, C.A., Hazard Analysis Techniques for System Safety, Wiley, 2005

++ Stephans, R.A. and Talso W.W., System Safety Analysis Handbook (2nd Ed), System Safety Society, 1997


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.