European Risk Engineering and Management

The Master's programme in Risk Engineering and Management is designed for graduates and young professionals who wish to develop their knowledge, skills and competences in the field of modelling, formulation, analysis and implementation of simulations for advanced risk problems as well as skills for understanding these approaches in the broader context of engineering science.

This inter-disciplinary programme is envisaged to match the current needs of industry, research and development, and regulators. It combines a rigorous engineering and technical approach to the topics related to the safety of complex industrial systems as well as health and hazard oriented risks, with a broader and holistic approach cultivating the skills needed to successfully overcome general management challenges. With this purpose, European and international regulations and standards will be underscored along with communication principles.

The programme covers five basic, three optional compulsory and one specialisation module for a total of 120 ECTS points. Successful graduates are awarded the internationally recognised degree of Master of Engineering (MEng).

Overview of the modules and their respective courses:

Basics
1. Introduction - Risk Management in Industry

• Introduction to Risk Management
• Business Communication and Management of Intercultural Differences
• Principles and Methods of ISO 31000

2. Project and Quality Management

• Quality Management
• Project Management

3. Health and Safety

• Health, Safety, Security and Environmental Risks
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Public Health Oriented Risk Analysis

4. Communication and Risk Governance

• Risk Governance Concepts and Practices
• Integrated Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
• Risk Perception and Risk Communication

5. Risk Management and Innovation

• Innovation Risk Management
• Decision Aid Approaches for Risk Management
• Concepts and Applications of KPIs for New Technologies
• Principles and Methods of ISO 31010

Optional compulsory (three modules to be selected)
A. Fire and Explosion Protection

• Fire Protection
• Explosion Protection

B. Safety of Chemicals

• Risk Analysis of Chemicals
• Transport of Dangerous Materials

C. Business Continuity and Sustainability

• Life Cycle Analysis and Assessment
• Accident and Consequences Modelling

D. Risk Based Inspection - Basics

• API RBI Concepts in Industry
• Probability and Consequence of Failure of Equipment

E. Risk Based Inspection - Advanced

• Consequence Analysis in an API RBI Assessment
• CWA 15740 and the new EN standard
• RBI Probability of Failure - Damage Factors

F. Quantitative Risk Assessment

• Quantitative Risk Assessment and Advanced Applications
• Transportation Risk Assessment

G. Special issues

• Emerging Risks
• Safety and Reliability Analysis

Specialisation (one module to be selected)
1. Petro

• Risk Analysis in Petrochemical Industries
• Risk Based Inspection - Petro
• Reliability Centred Maintenance and Root Cause Failure Analysis
• Practical Example: Workshop Petro

2. Power

• Risk Analysis in Power Industries
• Risk Based Inspection - Power
• Reliability Centred Maintenance and Root Cause Failure Analysis
• Practical Example: Workshop Power

3. Materials Engineering

• Materials Engineering
• Safety and Reliability of Materials and Constructions
• Reliability Centred Maintenance and Root Cause Failure Analysis
• Practical Example: Workshop Materials

4. Business Continuity and Financial Risks

• Business Continuity Risks & Insurance
• Principles of Actuarial Theory
• Measurement and Management of Credit Risk
• Risk Management Strategies
• Practical Example: Workshop Business and Financial Risks

5. Big Data

• Complex Systems Theory
• Managing Risks in Complex Systems
• Practical Example: Big Data Workshop

Educational organisation

In terms of curriculum and organisation, the Project Competence Concept - based on the dual-study system - goes way beyond conventional degrees.

Part of the admission requirements is that students willing to enrol must have a project in a company or organisation. Young graduates can be supported by the Advanced Risk Technologies Institute to find a suitable company. Once the company is chosen, mentors are appointed from both SHB and from the company side. Thereupon the project is defined: the current situation is assessed, goals are detailed, and milestones and conditions are set. The study plan is then tailored, and the project work carried out along with more classical courses. Regular meetings between students and mentors as well as specific examination means (e.g. Transfer Papers) secure the proper execution of the project. This process reaches its culmination with the Master's thesis, a presentation of the key findings and innovative solutions of the project. As a general rule, students work for two years on a project in their companies and gather every four months for one month of courses.

The concept of integrated work on projects companies is set to facilitate integrated technology transfer, whereby the students gain new skills and create a professional network as part of their studies. They apply their newly acquired knowledge on practical everyday risk issues by supplying deliberate, pertinent and theoretically sound solutions to business problems.

Moreover, the programme draws on the extensive knowledge and skills of lecturers who are leading experts in their corresponding fields. The strength of their academic and practical background contributes to the high quality of the study programme.

Study abroad unit(s)

Possible within students' projects

Internships

No additional internship is necessary, as the programme is extra-occupational.

Forms of assessment

The modular structure of the study programme includes exams for each module.

The examinations may involve some of the following:
1. Written examination: up to 120 minutes written paper with four kinds of questions (true/false, multiple/single choice, short answers, essay/calculation, examples)
2. Oral examination: up to 60 minutes verbal discussion, optional presentation included
3. Presentation: up to 20 minutes with visuals
4. Publishable papers
5. Case studies
6. Project Study Paper: up to 20 pages, topic specified by the project and student's supervisors
7. Transfer Paper: one page, applying theory studied in a course onto the company's situation, to be written after each completed module

Course objectives

Held at Steinbeis University Berlin, the Master's programme in Risk Engineering and Management is designed for graduates and young professionals who wish to develop their knowledge, skills and competences in the following:

• modelling, formulation, analysis and implementation of simulations for advanced risk problems as well as skills for understanding these approaches in the broader context of engineering science,
• an engineering and technical approach to the topics related to the safety of complex industrial systems as well as health and hazard-oriented risks,
• a broader and holistic approach for cultivating skills needed to successfully overcome general management challenges
• European and international regulations and standards along with communication principles
• new skills and the creation of a professional network as part of their studies
• knowledge on practical everyday risk issues by supplying deliberate, pertinent and theoretically sound solutions to business problems

As a result, career prospect for graduates of Master in Risk Engineering and Management are above the average because of the great and increasing need on the market for risk professionals with technical and managerial skills, combined with past working experience and a strong network.

Language requirements

Admission requires no special language skills that would go beyond the English B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Academic requirements

• Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in the area of engineering, business administration, science or industrial engineering
• One year of professional experience
• Above average grade in previous studies (>2.4 in the German grading system)
• Good knowledge of English certified (B2 level or equivalent)
• Successfully passing the aptitude test

Enrolment fees

None

Costs of living

Approx. 600 EUR per month / 20 EUR per day plus accommodation; can be covered by the sponsoring company or organisation

Job opportunities

The Project Competence Concept, based on the German dual education system, is implemented in every degree offered by the Steinbeis University Berlin. In concrete terms, students willing to enrol must have a sponsoring company or organisation. (The Advanced Risk Technologies Institute can help young graduates to find a suitable company.)

Arrival support

The Institute of Advanced Risk Technologies provides all information needed for obtaining a visa and checks the compliance of the students' documents with the formalities of the German authorities.
Assistance with public transportation, such as a pick-up service from/to the airport, may be
provided.
Student will also receive a "survival guide".

Services and support for international students

Each international student is assigned a dedicated contact person from the institute's administration department.

Accommodation

Flats are available in Stuttgart. The institute can support to find a proper accommodation.