Introduction

The focus of the programme is monitoring and control of technical systems.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

The target group is candidates with a bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Computer Science, all degrees with sufficient mathematics and physics. Related programmes may also be accepted.

Special admission requirements include the following:

• Passed bachelor course(s) in Electronics (Knowledge about resistors, capacitors, inductors, and transistors, minimum 10 ECTS),
• Passed bachelor course(s) in Control Engineering (Knowledge about Closed Control Loops and PID controllers, minimum 5 ECTS),
• Passed bachelor course(s) in Computer Programming (minimum 5 ECTS),
• Passed course in Mathematics III or equivalent.

Aim of the Programme

The programme provides students with broad knowledge concerning the control and management of technical and industrial systems, based on systems and control theory and data-based solutions. Students will learn to connect measurement signals from real systems to data systems, perform advanced calculations, send control signals back, and report results to administrative data systems. The possibility of managing large amounts of data quickly and over large distances allows the utilization of information from the physical system in a different way than by traditional automation solutions. The programme focuses on new technology, openness and standardization. In the third semester 10 ECTS are available for optional courses.

The successful candidate will typically find employment in companies in public and private sectors, the process industry, oil and gas industry, systems development, research institutes, and teaching.

The program also qualifies for admission to PhD studies at Norwegian and foreign universities.

Learning outcome

A candidate who has successfully completed the programme should have a learning outcome in the form of acquired knowledge, skills, and general competence, as described in the subsections below.

Knowledge

The candidate:

• has advanced knowledge in developing both mechanistic and empirical models with focus on technical processes,
• has knowledge on study of system behavior based on simulation,
• has knowledge in designing and/or analyzing computer based systems for solving industrial problems or challenges,
• has knowledge in developing data acquisition systems based on state of the art measurement and instrumentation systems,
• has knowledge about system identification and model-based control methods as Kalman filtering, Model Predictive Control (MPC), and inferential methods.

Skills

The candidate:

• is able to apply adequate methods and techniques in solving problems within the field,
• is able to work as an individual, as well as in teams, in planning and conduction of experiments and technical projects,
• is able to work safely in laboratories, in accordance with HES procedures,
• knows how to use computer based tools, for example Matlab, LabView or Aquasim, to solve technical problems,
• is able to analyze and critically review different sources of information, and is able to use such information in structuring and formulating technical problem descriptions and goals,
• is able to apply universally accepted methods of citation and referencing of scientific sources,
• is able to independently conduct a defined research or development project under supervision, according to prevailing ethical norms.

General competence

The candidate:

• is able to analyse relevant challenges in an ethical context,
• is able to apply acquired knowledge and skills to solve advanced tasks and projects in new areas,
• masters the terminology used and is able to communicate acquired knowledge - orally; in technical report writing; and via use of modern visualization tools,
• is able to discuss - with experts as well as with the general public - technical problems, analyses, and conclusions,
• is able to take part in and contribute to creative thinking and innovation.

Curriculum and structure

Compulsory Courses Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(V) S3(A) S4(V) FM1006 Modeling and Simulation of Dynamic Systems 10.00 O 10       SCE1106 Control with Implementation 10.00 O 10       SCE2106 Multivariate Data Analysis 5.00 O 5       SCE1206 Hard/Soft Sensors in Process Measurements 10.00 O 5 5     SCE2206 System Identification and Optimal Estimation 10.00 O   10     SCE1306 Object-Oriented Analysis, Design, and Programming 5.00 O   5     SCE2006 Industrial Information Technology 10.00 O   10     SCE4206 Systems and Control Laboratory 5.00 O     5   SCE4006 Project 10.00 O     10   SCE4106 Predictive Control with Implementation 5.00 O     5   FMH606 Master's Thesis 30.00 O       30 Total: 30 30 20 30 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

Optional Courses 3. semester Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(V) S3(A) S4(V) SCEV3006 Advanced Control 5.00 V     5   SCEV3106 Industrial Automation 5.00 V     5   FM3110 Project Management and Cost Engineering 5.00 V     5   SCEV3210 Modelling and Simulation of Hydro Power Systems 10.00 V     10   Total: 0 0 25 0 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION THE CURRICULUM MIGHT BE CHANGED DURING THE STUDY PERIOD.

An overview of the programme is given in the matrix. The programme consists of:

• courses providing an advanced scientific basis for subsequent courses (first semester),
• courses giving a highly specialized competence within the field (second and third semester),
• courses contributing to cross disciplinary competence and a broader perspective within the field of technology and engineering (third semester),
• a research-based group project (third semester),
• an individual research task documented in a master’s thesis (fourth semester),

Electives can be taken in the third semester, as described in the matrix. The interdependence of different courses is apparent from the prerequisite section in the course descriptions.

The programme is largely based on research conducted at the faculty. This is clearly reflected in topic for the group project in the third semester and the master’s thesis in the fourth semester. Such student tasks are typically coupled to ongoing research programmes, in many cases in collaboration with industrial companies. Accordingly, student project reports and student theses contribute in providing research and development results at the faculty.

Through the group project and the master’s thesis, the students will also be introduced to, and get practical experience with, the scientific methods used in the faculty’s research work.

Internationalization

It is possible for students to take part of the programme abroad via an exchange agreement with a foreign university or college; the faculty has international agreements with a large number of institutions in Europe, Asia, and America. Taking the fourth semester abroad is the advocated solution. Carrying out the third semester at another institution is also possible; in that case the selection of courses will have to be tailor-made for each individual, depending on the student’s interests and the course availability at the foreign institution.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The programme is taught in English (international students are enrolled in the programme). Different teaching and learning methods are used, including lectures, supervision, project work, exercises, laboratory work, self-study, and assignments. The choice of methods depends on the specific learning outcome goals; details are given in the course descriptions.

Theory and Practical Training

Most courses in the programme offer a combination of theory and practical work, although the distribution between the two components may be very different in different courses; see details in the course descriptions.

In many cases, the research topics offered in group projects or in master’s thesis projects will include practical and experimental work.

Assessment Methods

Different assessment methods are used, including:

• written tests (mid-term tests and tests at the end of the semester),
• exercise hand-ins,
• project reports,
• group works,
• oral presentations,
• oral examinations,
• laboratory reports.

Different combinations are used for different courses. In most cases, grading is given on a scale from A (best) to F (fail). In some cases, assessment is given on a pass/fail basis. The details are found in the course descriptions.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean