Course syllabus

Kritiska Infrastrukturers resiliens
Critical Infrastructure Resilience

VRSN45, 7,5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2020/21
Decided by: PLED BI/RH
Date of Decision: 2020-03-16

General Information

Main field: Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation.
Elective for: RH4, MKAT2
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

 

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

 

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

 

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

 

Contents

The course introduces and discusses important aspects for management of critical infrastructure, such as power systems, water supply systems, telecommunication systems and transport systems. The course should be seen as an introduction to the subject of critical infrastructure and vital societal functions. Important aspects covered are the form and function of critical infrastructures and their role in society as well as key methods and concepts for analysis and management of critical infrastructures. Methods covered in the course include: network theory as an analysis tool for complex infrastructure systems, risk management, asset management, infrastructure interdependency modelling, and impact assessments of large-scale infrastructure disruptions. Concepts that are important for the student to understand and reflect on during the course are for example: risk, reliability, uncertainty, resilience, complexity and continuity. An important part of the learning process is that students will apply concepts and methods to realistic representations of infrastructures as well as to connect to and reflect on the different concepts and methods.

Throughout the course, there is a progression from abstract to more realistic representations of infrastructures, where the student will reflect on the different strengths and weaknesses of different models, methods and concepts. The course is hence divided into a number of parts that guide the student through important concepts and methods. To each central part, computer labs are used to enable students to apply the various methods introduced in the course. Teacher-led seminars for each central part of the course are also given, where students can actively discuss and reflect on the theme and the literature as well as compare approaches for problem solving.

Examination of the course takes place through essays that deal with the different central parts of the course as well as a final project work in which either one or more central parts of the course are explored in more depth or a synthesis of all parts of the course is presented (i.e. each central part covered becomes input values for the final project work). The project is discussed in a teacher-led seminar so that the students also can acquire the ability to verbally present and discuss their approaches and preliminary results, as well as provide constructive feedback.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U,3,4,5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment: The exam is a compilation of written essays for the project assignments as well as a written final project essay. For an approved grade, active participation is required for the mandatory parts of the course. The project work must be presented both verbally and in writing.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Parts
Code: 0119. Name: Assignment Reports.
Credits: 5. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: Approved written report Contents: Written individual project assignments report
Code: 0219. Name: Project Report.
Credits: 2,5. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: Approved ritten report and oral presentation Contents: Written individual project report and oral presentation

Admission

Admission requirements:

Assumed prior knowledge: Basic knowledge of programming. A minimum of 150 credits from a five-year engineering programme or from the Fire Safety Engineering Programme at LTH or equivalent educational background and academic credits for incoming exchange students.
The number of participants is limited to: 20
Selection: Completed university credits within the program. Within programs where the course is given as a compulsory course students are guaranteed admission. Thereafter priority is given to students enrolled in programs that include the course in the curriculum.
The course might be cancelled: If the number of applicants is less than 12.

Reading list

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Jonas Johansson, jonas.johansson@risk.lth.se
Further information: The projects are encouraged to be done in cooperation between students. The students will, however, need to write individual project reports. One of the projects can be done as group work and reported jointly. If a joint report is submitted, each group member must be able to present and answer for the contents of the report. Members who do not meet the demands of active participation by the others, or disregard their obligations, can be replaced or failed by the examiner.