Study plan - Master in Fire Safety Engineering

Are you interested in a unique master's degree program in Fire Safety Engineering (sivilingeniør)? Do you want to contribute to a more fire-safe society? Fire Safety is becoming increasingly important, and the need for knowledge and competence in this field is increasing rapidly. Advanced knowledge and the ability to discuss fire safety issues with the general public will be increasingly important in the coming years.

With a master's degree in Fire Safety Engineering (sivilingeniør), you will have the competence to handle advanced and complex fire safety issues.

Admission

The following requirements need to be fulfilled:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (180 ECTS). This programme requires a completed and passed bachelor’s degree in engineering in line with the national curriculum regulations for engineering education in Norway. Furthermore, the following requirements are set:

• at least 25 ECTS in mathematics
• at least 5 ECTS in statistics
• at least 2.5 ECTS in chemistry
• at least 7.5 ECTS in physics

2. The grade point of average of your bachelor's degree must be C or better.

3. Applicants from outside the Nordic countries must provide evidence of their academic

achievements and proficiency in English.See our page for how to document proficiency in English.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcome
A candidate who has completed the fire safety program will have the following competence and learning outcomes, defined in knowledge, skills, and general competencies:

Knowledge
The candidate…

• has advanced knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of fire safety analysis and can evaluate various fire scenarios and their expected impact
• has a thorough knowledge of human behaviours in fire and evacuation situations
• has a thorough knowledge of risk-based safety assessments and barrier philosophies with preventive and consequence-reducing measures
• knows the research and development in the field of fire safety in general and especially within their specialisation
• can update their fire safety knowledge by gathering varied information and consulting with experts

Skills
The candidate…

• can analyse and solve theoretical, technical and practical issues in fire safety for buildings, process plants, ships and tunnels
• can perform modelling of various fire scenarios and impact assessment of these
• can calculate and model smoke production and toxicological effects depending on the type of fire and materials
• can model evacuation for actual user groups and identify and remedy bottlenecks for effective evacuation
• can use appropriate methods to assess fire safety levels in a given context
• can aid in the design of selected active and passive fire protection measures
• can identify major accident hazards and suggest appropriate measures for the reduction of major accidents
• can apply knowledge and relevant results from research and development when proposing risk-reducing measures
• can complete independent, limited research or development work under supervision and in accordance with applicable ethical norms

General competence
The candidate…

• can describe and make use of national and international standards
• can reflect on their professional practice, also in interdisciplinary teams, and adapt the efforts of the current working situation
• can contribute to the development of good practice in fire safety and apply their knowledge and skills in new areas
• can discuss human behaviour, including challenges related to risk groups, when developing the organisational fire protection
• can contribute to innovation, innovation of systems, organisations or designs that improve fire safety
• can analyse and think critically about information sources and apply these to make decisions
• can communicate fire-related issues and risks to companies, the relevant authorities, specialists in the field, and the general public.

Content

The master's program's central subjects are fire safety barriers to prevent ignition and fire, understanding of various scenarios for fire and smoke development, calculation of fire and smoke and risk to people, property, and environment, fireproof design, fire safety risk assessment, human behaviors in fire and evacuation, emergency, fire protection in industry and municipalities, and communication. All supported by a thorough understanding of fire dynamics.

The primary objective of this master's program is to provide industry and society with highly qualified candidates who through in-depth knowledge in the field can contribute to a more fire safe society. One of the most important aspects in this context is measures to reduce risks related to major accidents. The master's program is organized in close contact with industry partners focusing particularly on fire technical issues.

The master’s programme is part-time study over four years. Fully digital, except for a compulsory gathering in Haugesund at some point before engaging the final thesis. The first three years consist of theoretical courses of 7.5 ECTS. The education is structured so that the courses build on each other throughout the study. In the fourth year the students work with a thesis of 30 ECTS. The master’s thesis is a piece of independent work which is performed in close relationship with the academic supervisor team.

The courses in the first four semesters as well as one course in the fifth semester are compulsory. In the fifth and sixth semester the students will choose three courses from a list of elective courses. To prepare the students for the choice of elective courses, there will be a meeting for all master's students in fourth semester, followed by individual guidance. The path forward in the studies will then be clarified for each student.

Practice

Not applicable

Teaching

Digital teaching methods selected to convey the course should encourage student activity and independent thinking. The program offers various working and teaching methods tailored to the individual course, justified by communication to inspire and engage each student in the course. All lectures are digital and available on the university learning platform. A variation of asynchrony and synchrony lectures will be provided, together with quizzes and other learning activities for an optimal learning environment.

As part of the study, a four-day on-campus gathering will be held at the HVL campus in Haugesund (SIK500) during the autumn semester. Participation in one such physical gathering is mandatory during the master’s programme and represents a core learning experience where theory, experimentation, and professional dialogue come together. To engage in the final master's thesis, SIK500 must be completed.

Expectations for the students:
- to be active participants on the course.
- to attend case study presentations.
- to be active participants in online discussion groups.

Assessment

Various assessment methods are used in the program for the different courses. The assessment method in a course could i.e. be a portfolio, project, or written or oral home exam. A course may have an assessment method where several forms of assessment are combined, like an oral exam in combination with a portfolio. Many courses have compulsory coursework, that is, assignments, activities or work that does not count in the final grade but must be approved for the student to be eligible to take the exam.

Details regarding the assessment methods are stated in the course description for each course and reviewed by the person responsible for the course each semester. See also Regulations regarding studies and examinations at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.

Required progression

Compulsory prerequisites are defined for individual courses to ensure a structured and systematic progression through the programme. These prerequisites are designed to support student progression even in cases of approved absence, such as sick leave during an examination period.

Semester-specific requirements:

1. First-semester courses have no course-specific entry requirements (with the exception of SIK502). Eligibility to enrol in these courses is determined by the general admission requirements of the study programme.
2. Second-semester courses require successful completion of the compulsory activities from first-semester courses.
3. Third-semester courses require successful completion of all first-semester courses.
4. Fourth-semester courses require successful completion of all second-semester courses.
5. Fifth-semester courses require successful completion of all third-semester courses.

6. Sixth-semester courses require successful completion of all fourth-semester courses.

SIK 599 – Master Thesis requires successful completion of 60 ECTS from the theoretical part of the master program (at least 45 ECTS of compulsory courses) and successful completion of SIK500 Introduction to Fire Safety.