Decision Making in Emergency Management unit (PEM320)

Online

Introduction

This unit examines the process of decision making in emergency management. You will analyse the elements that contribute to decision making in dynamic, complex, and uncertain environments as experienced in emergency management. The unit will address the processes, structures, and approaches of decision making, including the concepts of situational awareness and common operating picture in the context of emergency management. This unit is an advanced (level 3) emergency management unit where you will be presented with a range of examples which you can reflect upon, in order to analyse the decision making process in emergency management.

Summary

Unit name	Decision Making in Emergency Management
Unit code	PEM320
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health School of Paramedicine and Public Safety
Discipline	Policing and Emergency Management
Coordinator	Doctor Darryl Stellmach
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Apply your knowledge of theoretical decision making concepts to your learning.
• Analyse the principles that underpin the decision making process in emergency management.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
090399	$2,174.00	$1,020.00	not applicable	$2,562.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

For UTAS students seeking to enrol in this unit as an elective completion of 200 credit points.

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

HSP218

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	This unit is fully online with weekly lectures (pre-recorded), case studies, and readings. Students should expect to dedicate 7-8 hours weekly to these activities, with additional time required to prepare and submit assignments.
Assessment	Online quiz on the underpinning principles of decision- making in emergency management (20%)|Written case study on the decision-making process in emergency management (30%)|Written case study on situational awareness in the context of decision-making in emergency management (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	All required readings are provided in the weekly MyLO pages.
Recommended	Recommended Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator via the Reading List link in MyLO, or the unit Reading List on the University Library website.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.