Unit information: Natural Hazards and Risk Assessment in 2013/14

Unit name	Natural Hazards and Risk Assessment
Unit code	EASCM1012
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1A (weeks 1 - 6)
Unit director	Professor. Juliet Biggs
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	n/a
Co-requisites	n/a
School/department	School of Earth Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will explore the science of natural hazards with particular emphasis on the characteristic effects of individual hazards (timescales, footprints and precursors) and interaction with decision-making processes. Recent and historical case studies will serve to illuminate the dynamic physical processes that are present in hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, and volcanism and the response both within the scientific community and by policy makers.

The unit will also introduce some of the basic principles of the statistics that describe the likelihood of a hazardous event occurring, will promote understanding of scientific uncertainty, and introduce students to formal methods of expert elicitation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit you will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of natural hazards processes and the assessment of risk and uncertainty

• Analyse and review recent and historical case studies which have had a large societal and environmental impact

• Explain the role of scientists in hazard assessment, hazard mitigation and crisis management.

• Critically analyse statistical data and information that can be used to characterise hazards, vulnerability and risk

• Appreciate the different factors that can strongly influence science-informed decisions in different contexts

Teaching Information

Lectures and practicals

Assessment Information

This unit constitutes 10 credit points and 100 marks to your end-of year results. The coursework assessment (50%) will be based on a detailed case study. A closed exam in the January exam period will constitute the remaining 50%. Assessment will be completed in accordance with the University Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes, available online at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/esu/assessment/codeonline.html#mc.

Reading and References

Bryant, E. Natural Hazards., Cambridge University Press and papers from the scientific literature which will be given out on a week-by-week basis.