Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Civil Engineering School
Within the civil and environmental engineering field many projects are managed within a risk assessment framework. This course is a simulation of the planning phase of a development, taking into account safety to workers and the surrounding community; and the environmental and social impact of the plant. Students will apply risk assessment principles to reduce impacts from potential accidents and chronic emissions to acceptable levels, for those in the development and to the broader community and environment. Students will develop the capacity to formulate strategies that demonstrate a given development scenario will be compliant with relevant safety and environmental legislation and implement best practice principles.
Risk management is the basis of managing any activity. Central to risk management is the assessment of safety, social, environmental and financial risks associated with an activity. The aim of this course is to provide students with the framework and skills to identify, rank, manage and review risks in an engineering activity, in both design and operation phases. The course will focus on Civil and Environmental Engineering applications.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
(CIVL2130 or CIVL2135) and [(CIVL3140 and CIVL3141) or CIVL3155] and CIVL2530
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
CHEE4002
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Timetable information will be posted on the course Blackboard site.
Aims and outcomes
Risk assessment is the basis of assessing the safety and impact of all developments. The risk assessment process takes into account safety to workers and users of development; and the environmental and social impacts of the development on the surrounding community and the broader environment. The aim of this course is to learn how to apply the principles of risk assessment within the civil engineering profession.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain the process of risk management and how it can be used as the basis of managing any activity, including the identification of lost opportunity.
LO2.
Explain the obligations and responsibilities of a professional engineer in risk management.
LO3.
Use models to estimate risks posed by hazards associated with an activity or development.
LO4.
Design appropriate controls to manage risks associated with an activity or development.
LO5.
Plan and design an engineering project at the prefeasibility level, to achieve the best economic, social and environmental outcomes.
LO6.
Improve teamwork skills through practice, reflection and feedback
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project |
Project 1 - Risk Register, Tech Memo and Bow Tie (Group)
|
30% |
Part A) Risk Register 31/03/2025 1:00 pm Part B) Tech Memo and Bow Tie 17/04/2025 4:00 pm |
| Quiz |
1 hour on-line quiz
|
15% |
7/05/2025 12:00 pm |
| Performance, Project, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Risk and Uncertainty in Design (individual assignment)
|
10% |
23/05/2025 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final exam
|
45% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Project 1 - Risk Register, Tech Memo and Bow Tie (Group)
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Part A) Risk Register 31/03/2025 1:00 pm
Part B) Tech Memo and Bow Tie 17/04/2025 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L06
Task description
The first part of Project 1 (15%) requires critical review of the hazards and risks associated with a proposed engineering project. You are required to submit the Risk Register for a selected case study. This is a team project. You will work in teams of 4.
The second part of Project 1 (15%) focuses on treatment of the risks identified in the first phase. Students are asked to prepare a tech memo, Bowtie analysis and Control Assurance Management System (CAMS). You will work in the same groups and are required to submit your Technical Memo, Bow Tie and CAMS.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Assignment to be submitted using Turnitin by one group member.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
1 hour on-line quiz
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
7/05/2025 12:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
In-semester online quiz covering the lecture materials of weeks 1-9.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Requires approval from ADA if requesting an exemption and rescaling.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
No late submission is permitted. 100% penalty for late submission. Refer to Section 5.3 for details on submitting an extension/exemption. Approved exemption will have final exam scaled to 60%.
Risk and Uncertainty in Design (individual assignment)
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Performance, Project, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
23/05/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Students will work individually on an assignment related to 'Risk and Uncertainty of Design' of proposed engineering projects.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Assignment to be submitted using Turnitin.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Format: Short answer, Problem solving, Multiple choice.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Achieves an aggregated overall grade greater than or equal to 4, and student must obtain a Grade of 3 (or better) at the end-of-semester examination to pass the course overall.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Some engagement with the assessment tasks; however, no demonstrated evidence of understanding of the concepts in the field of study. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Deficiencies in understanding the fundamental concepts of the field of study. Inability to identify data, cases, problems and their solutions, and implications. Presents inappropriate or unsupported arguments Inability to apply knowledge and skills. Communicates information or ideas in ways that are frequently incomplete, confusing and not appropriate to the conventions of the discipline. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Superficial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the field of study. Attempts to identify data, cases, problems and their solutions, and implications. Presents undeveloped arguments. Emerging ability to apply knowledge and skills. Communicates information or ideas with limited clarity and inconsistent adherence to the conventions of the discipline. Falls short of satisfying all basic requirements for a Pass. Some knowledge of the subject is evident but the student only demonstrates a limited understanding of the underlying concepts. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Adequate knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study. Identifies data, cases, problems and their solutions, and implications. Develops routine arguments or decisions. Acceptable application of knowledge and skills. Uses some of the conventions of the discipline to communicate appropriately. Demonstrates a sound knowledge of the relevant information and at least an adequate understanding of the underlying concepts. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Good knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study. Considered evaluation of data, cases, problems and their solutions, and implications. Develops or adapts convincing arguments and provides coherent justification. Effective application of knowledge and skills. Uses the conventions of the discipline to communicate at an effective level. Demonstrates a sound knowledge of the relevant information and a sound understanding of the key concepts. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Substantial knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study. Critical evaluation of data, cases, problems and their solutions, and implications. Perceptive insights in identifying, generating and synthesising competing arguments or perspectives. Extensive application of knowledge and skills. Uses the conventions of the discipline to communicate at a professional level. Key concepts are understood. There is a demonstrated ability to solve previously unseen problems. There are only minor factual inaccuracies and there is little irrelevant information. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Mastery of content. Expert and critical evaluation of data, cases, problems and their solutions, and implications. Significant and sophisticated insights in identifying, generating and synthesising competing arguments or perspectives. Original, novel and/or creative application of knowledge and skills. Exploits the conventions of the discipline to communicate at an expert level. Key concepts are understood and can be used to solve previously unseen problems. There is evidence of critical analysis and an ability to synthesise information from different aspects of the subject. There are insignificant factual inaccuracies and there is limited irrelevant information. |
Additional course grading information
Grade cutoffs and hurdles
Final marks will be rounded up to an integer value prior to applying hurdles or grade boundaries.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Any raw marks on the exam scripts are only an aid to the course coordinator in determining the exam grade and for providing feedback on student's exam performance.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Lecture |
Lecture series: Risk in Civil Engineering Lectures or workshops on a variety of topics related to Risk in Civil Engineering. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorials series: Risk in Civil Engineering Tutorials on a variety of topics related to Risk in Civil Engineering. Students will work in groups on exercises and course assessment items. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: