Risk Reduction & Preparedness – University of Copenhagen

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Master of Disaster Management > Intensive Courses > Risk Reduction & Prepa...

Risk Reduction and Preparedness

In order to substantially reduce disaster losses, activities need to be implemented that reduce risks and generate an effective preparedness for disasters. These activities must be based on the results of risk assessments and be firmly grounded in their specific contexts.

To meet this challenge Lund University and the University of Copenhagen are offering a joint intensive course focusing on what can be done to reduce risks, both in general terms and in relation to specific hazards. Since there will always be disasters, no matter how much effort is put into reducing risks, the course also focuses on preparedness planning, early warning systems, public awareness campaigns and other preparedness activities.

On completion of the course, students will be able to critically analyse the prerequisites and challenges for effective risk reduction and preparedness activities. This includes identifying, analysing, prioritising, planning, implementing and evaluating activities that reduce risk, as well as planning, preparing and evaluating a preparedness strategy to match the needs arising from anticipated future disasters.

Application deadline for this course is 29 November 2011 - APPLY ONLINE NOW!

Institution:

This course is offered by Lund University Centre for Risk Analysis and Management (LUCRAM) and Copenhagen School of Global Health, University of Copenhagen as part of the joint programme Master of Disaster Management.

The course takes place in Lund, Sweden.

Course coordinator:

Assistant Professor Marcus Abrahamsson and PhD Student Olof Ekman

Type:

This is an optional advanced course in the Master of Disaster Management programme.

Duration:

29 February - 23 March 2012
Full time lectures and exercises, including a few days of individual or group study.

ECTS credits:

6 ECTS

Language:

English

Objectives:

The aim of the course is to:

  • prepare the students so that they are able to work to reduce risk and to develop an effective preparedness for disasters.

  • provide a foundation for students interested in research to be used as a base for their research on risk reduction and preparedness issues.

At the end of the course students must:

  • be able to critically analyse the prerequisites and challenges for effective risk reduction activities.

  • be able to critically analyse the prerequisites and challenges for effective disaster preparedness.

For a passing grade the student must:

  • be able to identify, analyse, prioritise, plan and evaluate activities that reduce risk, either by reducing the probability for disasters (prevention) or by reducing their possible consequences beforehand (mitigation).

  • be able to plan and evaluate an effective preparedness to manage needs that arise from and the consequences of future disasters, both as Response and Recovery.

Content:

The course is focused on providing insight into various measures available for risk reduction and approaches to assessing and evaluating their effectiveness. Attention is given to principles of disaster preparedness and challenges related to such activities. A central part of the course is the case which involves analysing and evaluating various risk reduction and preparedness measures in a city in Tajikistan (or other suitable city). The students will work with the case throughout the course.

Methods:

  • Case studies.

  • Lectures on research in the field of risk reduction and preparedness.

  • Lectures on systems and organisations in society for dealing with issues of risk reduction and preparedness.

  • Class-room sessions with analytical discussions on risk reduction and preparedness issues.

  • Literature seminars.

TropEd accreditation:

No

Remarks:

Download literature list (pdf)

Download course presentation flyer (pdf) 

Assessment Procedures:

Grading according to the Danish 7-scale, internal moderation.

The examination is based upon an assessment of a written individual report in which the students present their risk reduction and preparedness measures in a given case, as well as their reflections around issues raised by the course management regarding the process. Parts of the report can be written in cooperation with other students that belong to the same case group.

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.

Scholarships:

We currently do not offer any scholarships, but on our site about funding possibilities we have collected some information that might be useful.