The knowledge field risk and safety includes analyses of environment and health risks, reliability, vulnerability and safety in technical and social systems. Such analyses are intended to provide a foundation for decisions about risk preventive and security-promoting measures. The research within this field draws on use of knowledge from the different technology- and scientific, medical, social- and behavioural science fields that can contribute to assess risk and safety. The choice of method is strongly depending on the type of risk and safety issues that are treated. Statistical methods have a central role in many cases but in other cases, other methods can be the more suitable. The subject-specific skills consist of assessing such a basis in a collected way that gives a justified and true image for the decision. Within the subject area, studies of risk perception and risk communication and of the social processes where risk and safety issues have been treated are also included.
The degree project is carried out individually or jointly by two students. In the latter case the individual contributions shall be clearly separable.
The subject of the degree project can be suggested by the student, teachers or some outside client. The student designs a work plan. When the work plan is approved, at the latest, a supervisor is appointed whom the student should be able to continuously consult during the work.