Societal Safety - Master's Degree Programme


Study programme description for study year 2024-2025

Facts

Credits (ECTS)

120

Studyprogram code

M-SAMSIK

Level

Master's degree (2 years)

Leads to degree

Master i Samfunnssikkerhet

Full-/Part-time

Full-time

Duration

4 Semesters

Undergraduate

No

Language of instruction

Norsk

Introduction

The master’s programme in societal safety focuses on how society can be made more resilient through preventive measures and preparedness. Risk and safety are dynamic elements in an increasingly complex society, which – in view of the internationalisation of infrastructure, trade, pollution, crime and crisis management – require a very high level of collaboration and coordination. Challenges to societal safety can be caused by natural phenomena or human actions. Examples of current challenges include climate change, ecological changes, changes in infrastructure such as energy and water supply, urbanisation, technological changes, communication and transport, changes in logistics and trade, as well as changes in social relations and behaviour that can lead to political, economic and social unrest, organised crime and terrorism. In view of the broad spectrum of risk and safety challenges that society faces, the master’s programme in societal safety is necessarily multidisciplinary, meaning engineers and social scientists study the same challenges together, often with quite different starting points and approaches. Technology must be understood in the light of the functions it performs in organisations and in society. This requires knowledge about people, organisations and society in addition to insight into relevant technical systems.

A master’s degree in societal safety qualifies students for work in a wide range of areas, including industry, public administration and services, private service provision, teaching, research and humanitarian work.

Sustainable Development Goals

Prevention of unwanted incidents and preparation to deal with the unwanted incidents that we cannot prevent (residual risk) is the basic idea of ​​the master's in social security. Although Norwegian society is perceived as safe for most of us, we are hit by unwanted incidents from time to time. They can originate locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Some are intentional events, such as crime, extremism and cyber attacks. Others are unintentional, such as accidents and natural events. The UN's Sustainable Development Goals are the world's joint work plan to eradicate poverty, fight inequality and stop climate change by 2030. The Master's program in social security will give you knowledge, skills and competence that can contribute directly to the work to achieve the goals for a better world. The sustainability goals have a major impact on Norwegian politics, and on Norwegian society. The major unwanted creeping crises, such as the climate crisis and the nature crisis (loss of biodiversity), will increasingly affect the work on social security. Norway cannot isolate itself from the major changes taking place globally. The Master's in Social Security gives students a basis for assessing risk as a basis for prevention and preparedness work. This must be seen in close connection with sustainability goals such as reduction in poverty, hunger, reduction in inequality, sustainable cities and local communities, stopping climate change, peace and justice, as well as cooperation to achieve the sustainability goals. In this way, the master's in social security is very closely connected to all the UN's sustainability goals, as a programme, but also in individual subjects within risk, security, preparedness, crisis management, risk society and sustainable development.

Content, structure and composition of the programme

The master’s programme comprises 120 credits, and is made up of 4 compulsory common courses of 10 credits each, 2 compulsory specialisation courses of 10 credits each in societal safety or technical societal safety, 3 elective courses of 10 credits each, and a final master’s thesis of 30 credits.

The following courses are compulsory for all students: SAM505 Risk and Societal Safety, SAM515 Crisis Management, SAM500 Digitalization, infrastructure and vulnerability and SAM510 Risk Based Management.

Students specialising in technical societal safety must take the course STA500 Probability and Statistics 2 in the first semester and RIS510 Reliability Analysis in the second semester. Students specialising in societal safety must take the course SAM525 Risk, Society and Ethics in the first semester and RIS660 Research methods in risk, safety, and security studies in the second semester.

In the third semester, students must take a compulsory seminar (that does not provide any credits) to prepare them for work on the master’s thesis. The students must also take 30 credits of elective courses in the third semester. This is also the semester where it is possible for students to have a period of study abroad.

Please note that 10 places are reserved for applicants with a bachelor’s degree in engineering who choose specialisation in technical societal safety. If these places are not filled with engineering graduates, these places will be transferred to specialisation in societal safety.

The programme description may be subject to changes.

Note: If you choose elective courses from another master’s programme, the University of Stavanger cannot be responsible for any collision in teaching and/or examinations.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing and passing the two-year master’s degree in societal safety, candidates will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined as knowledge, skills and general competencies:

Knowledge

K1: Risk, safety and vulnerability related to technologies, organisations, institutions and socially critical systems, infrastructure, functions and institutions.

K2: Extraordinary incidents and stresses that can impact technology, organisations and society (socially critical systems, infrastructure, functions and institutions).

K3: Natural and man-made threats to society, such as ecological changes that affect the climate and natural systems, changes in infrastructure such as energy and water supply, digitalisation, communication and transport, but also changes in social relations and behaviour that may lead to organised crime or terrorism.

K4: Particular challenges related to emergency preparedness planning and handling of adverse incidents.
K5: Awareness that societal safety as a field of study requires an approach at several organisational and institutional levels and with different professional perspectives.

K6: Have in-depth knowledge of the scientific theory and methodologies of the subject area.

Skills

S1: Be able to analyse academic issues based on the subject area’s history, traditions, distinctive character and position in society.

S2: Be able to make independent and critical assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of various theories, methods and analytical tools within risk and safety research.

S3: Be able to use analytical tools within risk and safety research and other studies of safety and emergency preparedness in society.

S4: Be able to assess threats to safety and risks associated with various activities.

S5: Be able to prevent injuries, damage and accidents through planning, regulation and organisation.

S6: Be able to analyse risk, reliability, availability and performance of emergency preparedness in connection with activities, critical infrastructures and critical societal functions.

S7: Understand what is going on during crises and disasters, and be able to deal with challenges that arise in these kinds of situations.

S8: Be able to work in interdisciplinary project groups and teams.

General competencies

G1: How safety and emergency preparedness can be addressed in society.

G2: Theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches relating to damage prevention, damage limitation and crisis management in the private and public sectors.

G3: An engineering and social science approach to risk and safety in society.

G4: Be able to apply their knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced work tasks and projects.

G5: Be able to disseminate extensive independent work and master the subject area’s forms of expression.

Career prospects

New and stricter risk management requirements when planning and executing projects and work processes mean greater professionalism is required in most areas. Businesses and public bodies need people with this expertise to ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations, environment-oriented health care, and risk and vulnerability analyses, participation in emergency relief operations and crisis management organised by private and public players.

The programme of study qualifies graduates for work in the areas of risk, safety, emergency preparedness and crisis management in various types of positions, including case officer, adviser, consultant and in management functions in a number of sectors of society and business areas.

A completed master's degree in Social Safety with an average grade of B and a grade of A or B on the master's thesis qualifies for admission to the PhD program in Risk Management and Social Safety at the University of Stavanger. New graduates are also eligible to apply to relevant PhD programs at other universities.

Course assessment

The quality assurance and evaluation systems for the programme are set out in the Quality System for Education.

Study plan and courses

  • Specialization

    • Specialisation in Social Safety

      • Compulsory courses

        • SAM690: Preparatory Research Seminar

          Year 2, semester 3

          Preparatory Research Seminar (SAM690)

          Study points: 0

        • SAMMAS: Master's Thesis in Societal Safety

          Year 2, semester 3

          Master's Thesis in Societal Safety (SAMMAS)

          Study points: 30

      • Specialization, exchange or other elective courses 3rd semester

        • Contingency analysis and Crisis management

          • Choose 3 courses

            • SAM520: Contingency Analysis and Planning

              Year 2, semester 3

              Contingency Analysis and Planning (SAM520)

              Study points: 10

            • SAM530: Decisionmaking in Emergencies

              Year 2, semester 3

              Decisionmaking in Emergencies (SAM530)

              Study points: 10

            • SAM550: Energy, Societal Safety and Sustainable Development

              Year 2, semester 3

              Energy, Societal Safety and Sustainable Development (SAM550)

              Study points: 10

            • SAM600: Accident Investigation

              Year 2, semester 3

              Accident Investigation (SAM600)

              Study points: 10

        • Safety, Planning and Regulation

          • Choose 3 courses

            • RIS535: Terrorism and Security

              Year 2, semester 3

              Terrorism and Security (RIS535)

              Study points: 10

            • RIS615: Applied Risk Analysis

              Year 2, semester 3

              Applied Risk Analysis (RIS615)

              Study points: 10

            • SAM520: Contingency Analysis and Planning

              Year 2, semester 3

              Contingency Analysis and Planning (SAM520)

              Study points: 10

            • SAM555: Ledelse og regulering av helse, miljø og sikkerhet

              Year 2, semester 3

              Ledelse og regulering av helse, miljø og sikkerhet (SAM555)

              Study points: 10

        • Other elective courses

          • SAM601: Practical work/training in societal safety

            Year 2, semester 3

            Practical work/training in societal safety (SAM601)

            Study points: 10

        • 3rd semester Exchange Studies

    • Specialisation in Technical Social Safety

      • Compulsory courses

        • SAM690: Preparatory Research Seminar

          Year 2, semester 3

          Preparatory Research Seminar (SAM690)

          Study points: 0

        • SAMMAS: Master's Thesis in Societal Safety

          Year 2, semester 3

          Master's Thesis in Societal Safety (SAMMAS)

          Study points: 30

      • 3rd semester at UiS or exchange studies

        • 3rd semester at UiS - choose three courses

        • 3rd semester at UiS - other elective courses

          • FYS200: Thermo- and Fluid Dynamics

            Year 2, semester 3

            Thermo- and Fluid Dynamics (FYS200)

            Study points: 10

          • IAM570: Complex industrial systems, Vulnerable conditions, and Integrity

            Year 2, semester 3

            Complex industrial systems, Vulnerable conditions, and Integrity (IAM570)

            Study points: 10

          • SAM601: Practical work/training in societal safety

            Year 2, semester 3

            Practical work/training in societal safety (SAM601)

            Study points: 10

          • STA510: Statistical Modeling and Simulation

            Year 2, semester 3

            Statistical Modeling and Simulation (STA510)

            Study points: 10

        • 3rd semester Exchange Studies

  • Specialization

    • Specialisation in Social Safety

      • Compulsory courses

        • SAM505: Risk and Societal Safety

          Year 1, semester 1

          Risk and Societal Safety (SAM505)

          Study points: 10

        • SAM515: Crisis Management

          Year 1, semester 1

          Crisis Management (SAM515)

          Study points: 10

        • SAM525: Risk, Society and Ethics

          Year 1, semester 1

          Risk, Society and Ethics (SAM525)

          Study points: 10

        • RIS660: Research Methods in Risk, Safety, and Security Studies

          Year 1, semester 2

          Research Methods in Risk, Safety, and Security Studies (RIS660)

          Study points: 10

        • SAM500: Digitalisation, Infrastructure and Vulnerability

          Year 1, semester 2

          Digitalisation, Infrastructure and Vulnerability (SAM500)

          Study points: 10

        • SAM510: Risk Based Management

          Year 1, semester 2

          Risk Based Management (SAM510)

          Study points: 10

        • SAM690: Preparatory Research Seminar

          Year 2, semester 3

          Preparatory Research Seminar (SAM690)

          Study points: 0

        • SAMMAS: Master's Thesis in Societal Safety

          Year 2, semester 3

          Master's Thesis in Societal Safety (SAMMAS)

          Study points: 30

      • Specialization, exchange or other elective courses 3rd semester

        • Contingency analysis and Crisis management

          • Choose 3 courses

            • SAM520: Contingency Analysis and Planning

              Year 2, semester 3

              Contingency Analysis and Planning (SAM520)

              Study points: 10

            • SAM530: Decisionmaking in Emergencies

              Year 2, semester 3

              Decisionmaking in Emergencies (SAM530)

              Study points: 10

            • SAM550: Energy, Societal Safety and Sustainable Development

              Year 2, semester 3

              Energy, Societal Safety and Sustainable Development (SAM550)

              Study points: 10

            • SAM600: Accident Investigation

              Year 2, semester 3

              Accident Investigation (SAM600)

              Study points: 10

        • Safety, Planning and Regulation

          • Choose 3 courses

            • RIS535: Terrorism and Security

              Year 2, semester 3

              Terrorism and Security (RIS535)

              Study points: 10

            • RIS615: Applied Risk Analysis

              Year 2, semester 3

              Applied Risk Analysis (RIS615)

              Study points: 10

            • SAM555: Ledelse og regulering av helse, miljø og sikkerhet

              Year 2, semester 3

              Ledelse og regulering av helse, miljø og sikkerhet (SAM555)

              Study points: 10

            • SAM600: Accident Investigation

              Year 2, semester 3

              Accident Investigation (SAM600)

              Study points: 10

        • Other elective courses

          • BYG500: Urban Analysis and Planning Methods

            Year 2, semester 3

            Urban Analysis and Planning Methods (BYG500)

            Study points: 10

          • BYG510: Placemaking

            Year 2, semester 3

            Placemaking (BYG510)

            Study points: 10

          • SAM601: Practical work/training in societal safety

            Year 2, semester 3

            Practical work/training in societal safety (SAM601)

            Study points: 10

        • 3rd semester Exchange Studies

    • Specialisation in Technical Social Safety

      • Compulsory courses

      • 3rd semester at UiS or exchange studies

        • 3rd semester at UiS - choose three courses

        • 3rd semester at UiS - other elective courses

          • FYS200: Thermo- and Fluid Dynamics

            Year 2, semester 3

            Thermo- and Fluid Dynamics (FYS200)

            Study points: 10

          • IAM570: Complex industrial systems, Vulnerable conditions, and Integrity

            Year 2, semester 3

            Complex industrial systems, Vulnerable conditions, and Integrity (IAM570)

            Study points: 10

          • STA510: Statistical Modeling and Simulation

            Year 2, semester 3

            Statistical Modeling and Simulation (STA510)

            Study points: 10

        • 3rd semester Exchange Studies

Student exchange

Exchange semester

3rd semester

Exchange opportunities

In the 3rd semester of the master’s degree programme in societal safety, students can have a period of study abroad.

Students are normally expected to take 30 credits of electives in the 3rd semester. When studying abroad, you must choose courses that provide equivalent specialisation in your subject area, and these must be approved before you leave. It is also important that the courses you are going to take abroad do not overlap with courses you have already taken or will take later in your studies. A good piece of advice is to think about your area of specialisation and your field of interest.

Academically recommended educational institutions for specialisation in societal safety:

- Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania

- Karlstad University, Sweden

- Tampere University, Finland

- Lund University, Sweden

- San Diego State University, USA

- Hawaii Pacific University, USA

- Griffith University, Australia

- University of Western Australia, Australia

Academically recommended educational institutions for specialisation in technical societal safety:

- Lund University, Sweden

- University of Oviedo, Spain (requires proficiency in Spanish)

- Griffith University, Australia

- Queensland University of Technologies, Australia

- University of San Diego, USA

- California State University, Monterey Bay, USA

- Reykjavik University, Iceland

More possibilities

In addition to the academically recommended educational institutions listed below, the University of Stavanger has a number of agreements with universities outside Europe that are relevant for all students at The University of Stavanger, subject to them finding a relevant programme of study. Within the Nordic region and the Baltics, all students may use the Nordlys and Nordtek networks.

Learn more.

Contact person

Guidance and pre-approval of courses:

Sabrina Ebenhoch

General questions about student exchanges: The student exchange guide can be found at the Digital Student Service Desk

Student exchange

  • All countries

    California State University Monterey Bay

    California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) er en del av det anerkjente California State University, som er USAs fjerde største offentlige universitet.

    Griffith University

    Griffith University er en populær utvekslingsdestinasjon for UiS-studenter. Universitetet er et særlig godt valg for studenter innen musikk/dans, hotell/turisme og business.

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University er et spennende og multikulturelt studiested, omringet av verdenskjente turistattraksjoner.

    Karlstads universitet

    “As one of the youngest universities in Sweden, we hope to be more adventurous in challenging the established and exploring the unknown”

    Kaunas University of Technology

    Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) is one the largest technological universities in the Baltics. Known for its linkages with business, leadership in scientific research and flexible interdisciplinary study programmes, it is the perfect institution for an unforgettable study experience.

    Reykjavik University

    Reykjavik er Islands største private universitet og har ca 3000 studenter.

    San Diego State University

    San Diego State University (SDSU) ligger helt sør i California, på grensen til Mexico, og bare et par timers kjøretur fra Los Angeles. Dette er en svært populær utvekslingsdestinasjon for UiS-studenter.

    Tampere University

    Tampere University ligger i Tampere regionen, som er Finlands nest største regionale senter etter Helsingfors. Universitetet er internasjonalt høyt rangert og er kjent for god undervisning og for å kombinere forskning innen naturvitenskap og teknikk med industri og næringsliv. Campus ligger midt i de tusen sjøers land og bare 2 timer fra Helsinki.

    Teknisk högskola Lund

    Lunds Universitets historie går tilbake til 1666, og det rangeres jevnlig blant verdens 100 beste universiteter.

    The University of Western Australia

    University of Western Australia (UWA) er et av de ledende universitetene i Australia som medlem av den såkalte Group of Eight, og rangert blant de 100 beste universitetene i verden. Et opphold ved dette universitetet vil sikre deg et godt faglig utbytte.

  • Australia

    Griffith University

    Griffith University er en populær utvekslingsdestinasjon for UiS-studenter. Universitetet er et særlig godt valg for studenter innen musikk/dans, hotell/turisme og business.

    The University of Western Australia

    University of Western Australia (UWA) er et av de ledende universitetene i Australia som medlem av den såkalte Group of Eight, og rangert blant de 100 beste universitetene i verden. Et opphold ved dette universitetet vil sikre deg et godt faglig utbytte.

  • Finland

    Tampere University

    Tampere University ligger i Tampere regionen, som er Finlands nest største regionale senter etter Helsingfors. Universitetet er internasjonalt høyt rangert og er kjent for god undervisning og for å kombinere forskning innen naturvitenskap og teknikk med industri og næringsliv. Campus ligger midt i de tusen sjøers land og bare 2 timer fra Helsinki.

  • Island

    Reykjavik University

    Reykjavik er Islands største private universitet og har ca 3000 studenter.

  • Litauen

    Kaunas University of Technology

    Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) is one the largest technological universities in the Baltics. Known for its linkages with business, leadership in scientific research and flexible interdisciplinary study programmes, it is the perfect institution for an unforgettable study experience.

  • Sverige

    Karlstads universitet

    “As one of the youngest universities in Sweden, we hope to be more adventurous in challenging the established and exploring the unknown”

    Teknisk högskola Lund

    Lunds Universitets historie går tilbake til 1666, og det rangeres jevnlig blant verdens 100 beste universiteter.

  • USA

    California State University Monterey Bay

    California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) er en del av det anerkjente California State University, som er USAs fjerde største offentlige universitet.

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Hawaii Pacific University er et spennende og multikulturelt studiested, omringet av verdenskjente turistattraksjoner.

    San Diego State University

    San Diego State University (SDSU) ligger helt sør i California, på grensen til Mexico, og bare et par timers kjøretur fra Los Angeles. Dette er en svært populær utvekslingsdestinasjon for UiS-studenter.

Contact information

Faculty of Science and Technology, tel (47) 51831700, E-mail: post-tn@uis.no

Study Adviser: Sabrina Ebenhoch