SDMM12007U Vulnerability & Risk Assessment Methods

Volume 2014/2015
Education
Master's Programme in Disaster Management
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.

Learning Outcome

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.
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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.
  • understand the differences between VCA and the more conventional research and risk assessment methods, and the strengths of application of each;
  • identify a variety of tools and techniques applied in VCA concentrating on use, characteristics and caution measures; and
  • examine critically an actual VCA plan produced from a real life case.
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
This course is offered by Copenhagen School of Global Health, University of Copenhagen as part of the programme Master of Disaster Management.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 20
  • Exam
  • 30
  • Field Work
  • 40
  • Lectures
  • 18
  • Practical exercises
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 10
  • Theory exercises
  • 10
  • Total
  • 138
Credit
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
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.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner
Re-exam
This course takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the option of going on a field trip to Bangladesh.
Criteria for exam assesment

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.