Overview & Contacts

Modules

The MSc in Safety Critical Systems Engineering is a full time or part time course comprising:

Full Time

• Nine assessed modules, seven of which are core. The remaining two are chosen from the available optional modules.
• A six person-month individual project carried out either at York or on site in industry.

Modules on the full time scheme are taken over two terms, in the autumn and spring.  The project is completed in the summer terms and over the summer vacation.

Part Time

• Nine assessed modules, seven of which are core. The remaining two are chosen from the available optional modules.
• A two person-month literature survey and a four person-month  individual project.

The modules are taken over two years, in the autumn and spring terms of the first two years.  The literature survey is completed in the Summer and vacation term of the second year.  The individual project is taken in the third year.

Modules for both part time and full time students are taught full time in York for one week.  Its associated assessed exercise, which may be completed on or off site, takes approximately 65 hours in addition. All assessed exercises are open, comprising a report, case study, or documented piece of software. There are no closed examinations. The project is examined by dissertation; the amount of time required to complete it is approximately six person-months.

Each student (part time and full time) is allocated a personal supervisor from within the Department who meets the student regularly to discuss progress during both the teaching and project phases. In addition, industrial supervisors will be responsible for the day to day supervision of projects that are undertaken in industry.

Module Timetable 2012/13

Module Title	Start Date	Submission	Core/ Optional
Foundations of System Safety Engineering (FSSE)	01/10/12	07/11/2012	C
Systems Engineering for Safety (SEFS)	08/10/12	28/11/2012	O
Empirical Methods for LSCITS (EMML)	15/10/12	15/12/2012	O
Software Requirements and Architectures (SWRE)	29/10/12	19/12/2012	O
Hazard and Risk Assessment (HRAS)	12/11/12	09/01/2013	C
Electrical Systems & Electronic Compatibility (ESEC)	26/11/12	23/01/2013	O
System Safety Assessment (SSAS)	10/12/12	30/01/2013	C
Human Factors for Safety Critical Systems (HUFS)	07/01/13	25/02/2013	O
Safety Case Development & Review (SCDR)	21/01/13	13/03/2013	C
Safety Management Systems (SMSY)	11/02/13	03/04/2013	C
Computers & Safety (CASA)	25/02/13	17/04/2013	O
Through Life Safety (TLSA)	11/03/13	01/05/2013	C
Predictable Software Systems (PSSY)	29/04/13	19/06/2013	O
Socio-Technical Systems (SOTS)	10/06/13	31/07/2013	O
Full Time (90): Independent Study Project (PRCM) Part Time (60): MSc SCSE Final Project (PRCP) Part Time (30): Critical Evaluation PRCE	01/04/2013 - 09/09/13	Project Submission: 09/09/13
		Presentation: 12/09/13 - 13/09/13

 Module Timetable 2013/14

• All modules occupy 5 days, starting on Monday
• Modules may be cancelled if there are insufficient numbers.
• Any cancellations may incur a charge.
• Core (C) and Optional (O) modules are assessed.
• A choice of three Optional modules are to be taken for the MSc.
• One option to be taken on the Certificate course.
• SCSE = Safety Critical Systems Engineering; SSE = System Safety Engineering.

Please Note: This is a provisional timetable and may be subject to change.

Project

The project for part-time students on the MSc in Safety Critical Systems Engineering has two elements:

1. Literature survey (30 credits) on a subject (PCRM) to determine the state of the art in that area. This survey is handed in September of year 2. It must be passed to progress to:

2. A Masters project (60 credits) (PCRC) where a gap in the state of the art identified in the first part is addressed, a proposal made and evidence provided for the proposal.  This project is completed in September of a student's third year.

For full-time students the project has a single element: a 90 credit Independent Study Project.

For both full-time and part-time students, the project(s) enable(s) students to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of an area by means of a literature review covering all significant developments in the area and placing them in perspective;
• Exhibit critical awareness and appreciation of best practice and relevant standards;
• Investigate particular techniques and methods for the construction of safe systems, possibly involving the construction of a prototype;
• Evaluate the outcome of their work, drawing conclusions and suggesting possible further work in the area.

The project(s) address(es) a major technical problem concerned with real issues. It should, if possible, include the development and application of a practical method, technique or system. It is a natural progression from the taught modules, and builds on material covered in them. Ideally it addresses the problem from a system perspective, including hardware, software and human factors. It will typically have an industrial flavour. If you are a part-time student, you are encouraged, with the help of your managers and academic staff, to select a project which is relevant to your own work in industry.

The project begins at the start of the Summer term after completion of the taught modules, and lasts 18 months part-time / 6 months full-time. For part-time students there are three weeks attendance at York during the project, for progress assessment and access to library facilities: in July near the start of the project; and in the following January and July. Full details are provided during the course.

Past projects have covered a wide range of issues in safety critical systems engineering. A list of titles can be obtained by form the past projects page of Safety Critical Systems Engineering MSc course.

How to Apply

You can apply through our online application system (SELECT).

Prerequisites

Typically, you will have achieved at a first degree in a numerate, technical discipline, though industrial experience is also useful. This course is specifically directed at those with several years of industrial experience. If you do not have a first degree but who have relevant expertise, this will be considered on a case by case basis.

You will be are required to nominate two referees, of which at least one should be from the your current employer or place of study. You will normally be interviewed before acceptance either in person if UK based or by telephone for international students.

International Students

The University welcomes international students. Read more information specifically for prospective international students. 

Non-English speaking candidates are required to have English language qualifications prior to admission.

Fees & Funding

Non-standard annual tuition fees for postgraduate students in 2013/14 can be found here:  Non-Standard Tuition fees for 2013/14

Fees all include all relevant course materials, tuition and examinations and are payable in advance. They do not include text books or living expenses. VAT is not applicable. Find out more about fees and how to pay them.

Modules on this course can be attended individually as a short course.

Discounts may apply if you are a self financing student, to find out if you are eligible to qualify as a self-financing student please contact us at postgraduate@cs.york.ac.uk.

Funding for the MSc in Safety Critical Systems Engineering - Aerospace MSc Bursary Scheme

This scheme will pay MSc tuition fees of up to £9,500 for successful applicants to our MSc in Safety Critical Systems Engineering. Bursaries will be awarded if you can demonstrate your commitment to working in the UK aerospace sector and who have been offered a place on the MSc.

Applications will be accepted before you have the offer of a place on the MSc but will be conditional on receiving, and taking up, the MSc offer from a university.

The purpose of the scheme is to generate a skilled workforce in the aerospace industry, and is backed by the following organisations:

•     Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
•     Department for Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland
•     Aerospace Growth Partnership
•     BAE Systems
•     Bombardier Aerospace Belfast
•     EADS/Airbus
•     Finmeccanica UK
•     GKN
•     MBDA Missile Systems
•     Messier-Bugatti-Dowty (a Safran group company)
•     Rolls Royce
•     Spirit Aerosystems (Europe)

You are advised to apply as soon as possible - once each academic year's quota is achieved, the scheme will be closed.

You can apply for the bursary whether you are planning to study the MSc full-time or part-time. However, if you are a part-time student, please note there are some eligibility requirements that must be met if you already work within the UK aerospace industry:

1. If you work for one of the nine partner companies named above, there are no restrictions to you applying to the bursary.
2. If you work for an SME in the supply chain serving the UK aerospace industry, the scheme will provide 75 per cent of your tuition fees each year. Your employer will be ask to make up the remaining 25 per cent.
3. If you work for any other organisation that does not fall into 1. or 2. above, you will not be eligible for a bursary.

In both cases 1. and 2. above, you will need a letter of support from your employer to submit with your application.

If you currently work outside the sector, you can apply as an independent candidate without employer support, and you will be eligible (if you are successful) for 100 per cent of the bursary.

Find out more about the scheme and how to apply.

Meeting the IET Principles

IET Position Statement on Safety-Critical Systems – A response

The IET position statement issued in October 2009 sets forward 10 principles and two recommendations for Safety-Critical Software-based systems in safety-related applications. Here we show how the MSc Safety-Critical Systems Engineering course can be used to address this position statement.

Principle 1: The fundamental starting point for the development of any SCS is the creation of a rigorous and and consistent statement of user requirements. 
Addressed by: 
Core modules: Foundations of System Safety, Hazard and Risk Assessment and Safety Management Systems.
Optional Modules: System Engineering for Safety, Software Requirements and Architectures, Software Testing Analysis and Review.

Principle 2: Every SCS must have a comprehensive hazard analysis carried out
Addressed by: 
Core modules: Hazard and Risk Assessment, System Safety Assessment
Optional Modules: Computers and Safety, Through-Life Safety

Principle 3: The architecture of the SCS should avoid major hazards wherever possible.
Addressed by: 
Core modules: Hazard and Risk Assessment, System Safety Assessment.
Optional Modules: Computers and Safety, System Engineering for Safety, Software Requirements and Architectures, Sensors and Effectors,

Principle 4: Where overall safety depends on correct actions taken by human operators, the human-computer interface and the training of operators should be considered.
Addressed by: 
Core modules: Foundations of System Safety
Optional Modules: Human Factors for Safety

Principle 5: Every SCS must have a documented safety analysis
Addressed by: 
Core modules: System Safety Assessment
Optional Modules: Computers and Safety, Software Testing Analysis and Review.

Principle 6: Showing that a particular set of development processes have been followed is never sufficient to demonstrate that the resulting system meets its safety target 
Addressed by: 
Core modules: Foundations of System Safety, Hazard and Risk Assessment, System Safety Assessment 
Optional Modules: Computers and Safety, Software Testing Analysis and Review.

Principle 7: Developer's competencies should be appropriate to their project roles and kept current. 
Addressed by: 
Core modules: Foundations of System Safety, Safety Management Systems,  
Optional Modules: Ethics of SCS work dealt with throughout the course

Principle 8: Software systems are mathematically formal objects and it is possible to reason about their behaviour and to prove that they have certain properties
Addressed by: 
Optional Modules: Software Requirements and Architectures, Software Testing Analysis and Review

Principle 9: It is generally impractical to rely on test based evidence in advance of putting a system into widespread service
Addressed by: 
Core modules: Foundations of System Safety, Hazard Risk Assessment
Optional Modules: Software Requirements and Architectures, Software Testing Analysis and Review, Computers and Safety

Principle 10: There should be regular reviews of systems in service to assess whether the threat profile has changed and whether risks are still as low as reasonably practicable
Addressed by: 
Core modules: Through Life Safety, Hazard and Risk Assessment, Safety Management Systems

The IET Recommends:

• Use of tools and approaches that industry best practice
  Addressed by: all modules
• Research and development effort and financing directed towards extending the scale and range of system properties that can be proven through analysis
  Addressed by: Assessments and the MSc project.