Safety Critical Systems Engineering

Course Overview

This modular MSc course is designed to prepare students for work in the demanding field of Safety Systems Engineering (SSE) by exposing them to the latest science and technology within this field. The discipline of SSE has developed over the last half of the twentieth century. It can be viewed as a process of systematically analysing systems to evaluate risks, with the aim of influencing design in order to reduce risks, i. e. to produce safer products. In mature industries, such as aerospace and nuclear power, the discipline has been remarkably successful, although there have been notable exceptions to the generally good safety record, e. g. the Chernobyl and Ariane 5 accidents. Various trends pose challenges for traditional approaches to SSE. For example, classical hazard and safety analysis techniques deal poorly with computers and software where the dominant failure causes are errors and oversights in requirements or design. Thus these techniques need extending and revising in order to deal effectively with modern systems. Also, in our experience, investigation of issues to do with safety of computer systems have given some useful insights into traditional system safety engineering, e. g. into the meaning of important concepts such as the term hazard. This is the sub-discipline of Safety-Critical Systems Engineering (SCSE) for computer based control systems. The courses may be used as part of a Continuing Professional Development programme for The Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) or British Computer Society (BCS) members. Learning Outcomes: The course aims to provide participants with a thorough grounding and practical experience in the use of state-of-the-art techniques for development of safety critical systems, emphasising their software; together with an understanding of the principles behind these techniques so that they can make sound engineering judgements during the design and deployment of such a system, particularly when software is involved. Graduates completing the course will be equipped to play leading and professional roles in safety-critical systems engineering related aspects of industry and commerce. New areas of teaching will be developed in response to new advances in the field as well as the requirements of the organisations that employ our graduates. The programme aims to equip students with knowledge, understanding and practical application of the essential components of Safety Critical Systems Engineering, to complement previously gained knowledge and skills in Computer Science. A York Safety Critical Systems Engineering graduate will have a solid grounding of knowledge and understanding of the core areas, as represented by the mandatory modules. The optional modules give students the opportunity to gain knowledge in other areas which are of interest to them and which are taught by recognized experts in those areas. Transferable Skills, Information-retrieval skills are an integrated part of many modules; students are expected to independently acquire information from on-line and traditional sources. These skills are required within nearly all modules, are an essential part of project work. Numeracy is required and developed in most modules, which are often taught using a theoretical, mathematical basis. Time management is an essential skill for any student in the programme. The formal timetable has a substantial load of lectures and labs. Students must fit their private study in around these fixed points. In addition, Open Assessments are set with rigid deadlines which gives students experience of balancing their time between the different commitments. All students in the University are eligible to take part in the York Award in which they can gain certified transferable skills. This includes the Languages for All programme which allows students to improve their language skills.