iTeach and Unit Guides will be undergoing maintenance tonight (Tue 10th Feb) from 8:30-11:30pm AEDT. Service may be temporarily unavailable during this time. Apologies for any inconvenience. Updates via https://itstatus.mq.edu.au
Students

ENGG8401 – Safety and Risk Engineering

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Rouzbeh Abbassi
rouzbeh.abbassi@mq.edu.au
Contact via Via Email
9 WW, Level 3, Room 337
Set by an email
Tutor
Nima Golestani
nima.golestani@mq.edu.au
Contact via Via Email
Set by an email
Tutor
Seyed Abolfazl Mirnezami
seyedabolfazl.mirnezami@mq.edu.au
Contact via Via Email
Set by an email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

The objective of this unit is to provide an understanding of principles and methods of safety and risk engineering applicable to industrial operation. Specific topics include analysis of past accidents; risk assessment methods, risk analysis tools, risk-based decision making, process safety, engineering safety, occupational safety, safety assessment studies, and regulatory perspective of safety.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; Sustainable Cities and Communities

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of risk and safety engineering.
  • ULO2: Interpret and synthesise various methodologies and tools applicable in risk analysis and accident modelling.
  • ULO3: Critically review safety performance in a range of engineering operations.
  • ULO4: Apply risk-based design decision methods to industrial operations.
  • ULO5: Design risk-based safety measures for complex engineering operations.

General Assessment Information

Student Responsibilities

Be familiar with University policy and College procedures and act in accordance with those policy and procedures.

It is the responsibility of the student to retain a copy of any work submitted. Students must produce these documents upon request. Copies should be retained until the end of the grade appeal period each term.

Notifications

Formal notification of assessment tasks, grading rubrics and due dates will be posted on iLearn. Although all reasonable measures to ensure the information is accurate, The University reserves the right to make changes without notice. Each student is responsible for checking iLearn for changes and updates.

Assignment submissions and plagiarism policies

All assignments and reports must be submitted electronically through iLearn (in pdf format) unless otherwise explicitly stated. Submissions will undergo plagiarism checkers using the Turnitin software and any work deemed to have 15% or higher similarity score may incur academic penalty. For more details on the policies of academic penalties relating to academic honesty, please refer to the policies and procedures section below.

Submissions are expected to be typed set in a logical layout and sequence and graphs are expected to be drawn using suitable software. Markers WILL NOT grade poorly organized or illegible scans or drafts. The expected workload includes preparation of final copies and clear diagrams.

Late submissions

Late submissions will not be accepted. In the event that a report is submitted late, between 0 and 24 hours a deduction of 25% will be made, between 24 and 48 hours a deduction of 50% will be made, more than 48 hours will result in no marks being awarded. Extenuating circumstances will be considered upon lodgement of a formal notice of disruption of studies.

Grading and passing requirements for unit

For further details about grading, please refer below in the policies and procedures section. In order to pass this unit a student must obtain a mark of 50 or more for the unit (i.e. obtain a passing grade P/ CR/ D/ HD).

 Late Submission Policy

  • 5% penalty per day: If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days.
    • Example 1 (out of 100): If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.
    • Example 2 (out of 30): If you score 27/30 but submit 1 day late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.
  • After 7 days: Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.
  • Extensions:
    • Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.
    • Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration.

Need help? Review the Special Consideration page HERE

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Technical Literature Appraisal 10% No Friday (Week 8) @5pm Individual No
Term Project 50% No Friday (Week 13) @5pm Individual and Group No Open AI
Final Exam 40% No Examination Period Individual No Observed

Technical Literature Appraisal

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Friday (Week 8) @5pm
Weighting: 10%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:

You will critically review a peer-reviewed journal article and evaluate the paper's objectives, methodology, key findings and relevance to industry practice. You will submit a reflection on the process and how it enhanced your understanding of the subject area.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of risk and safety engineering.
  • Interpret and synthesise various methodologies and tools applicable in risk analysis and accident modelling.
  • Critically review safety performance in a range of engineering operations.
  • Apply risk-based design decision methods to industrial operations.
  • Design risk-based safety measures for complex engineering operations.

Term Project

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 60 hours
Due: Friday (Week 13) @5pm
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

You will work in a group on a designated project topic. You will present a completed report and respond to questions as part of the presentation. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of risk and safety engineering.
  • Interpret and synthesise various methodologies and tools applicable in risk analysis and accident modelling.
  • Critically review safety performance in a range of engineering operations.
  • Apply risk-based design decision methods to industrial operations.
  • Design risk-based safety measures for complex engineering operations.

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Examination Period
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

Final Examination to be conducted during University exam period. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of risk and safety engineering.
  • Interpret and synthesise various methodologies and tools applicable in risk analysis and accident modelling.
  • Critically review safety performance in a range of engineering operations.
  • Apply risk-based design decision methods to industrial operations.
  • Design risk-based safety measures for complex engineering operations.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

The lecture slides, notes, and journal papers sharing with the students.  

Unit Schedule

Refer to the ILearn for the unit schedule.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Engineers Australia Competency Mapping

EA Competency Standard Unit Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Skill Base 1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. ULO1
1.2 Conceptual understanding of underpinning maths, analysis, statistics, computing. ULO1
1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge ULO1
1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions UL03
1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice UL02
1.6 Understanding of scope, principles, norms, accountabilities of sustainable engineering practice. ULO1, ULO2
Engineering Application Ability 2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex problem solving ULO1
2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. ULO4, ULO5
2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. UL02
2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects. ULO4
Professional and Personal Attributes 3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability. ULO5
3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. UL04
3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour. ULO4
3.4 Professional use and management of information. ULO5
3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct. ULO4, ULO5
3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership ULO4, ULO5

Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook