Introduction

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

Here is a compact description (brochure) of the online master programme.

You can submit an application here (SøknadsWeb), where you eventually select "Master programs" / "ONLY for Scandinavian speaking applicants autumn 2015. Application deadline 15-Apr-2015".

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

The program has the same contents as the ordinary, campus-based 2-year master programme "Systems and Control Engineering", but is based on e-learning and covers 4 years. Participation in the gatherings is compulsory.

Compulsory Courses

To be included.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

THE CURRICULUM MIGHT BE CHANGED DURING THE STUDY PERIOD.

Internationalization

It is possible for students to substitute courses with similar courses according to 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.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The program is given as a part-time online study over four years - while the campus-based study is two years - with gatherings on campus Porsgrunn end of each semester. The courses in the online program will insofar as possible have the same content and teaching as the campus-based study, except that in the online program, lectures will be in the form of offline video-based lectures and laboratory exercises will be given at the gathering on the campus at the end of the pertinent semester. The courses taught in English.

A startup gathering is held on campus Porsgrunn in August before the first semester for all new students. The gathering comprises an introduction to relevant online tools, information about Telemark University College (TUC) and Faculty of Technology, as well as social activities. At the end of each semester, gathering is organized that includes practical exercises on physical equipment, and, if relevant, special courses. The gatherings last a few days, but the duration may vary from semester to semester. Students must cover travel and accommodation themselves.

The teaching activities are as follows:

• Video recordings of lectures or preproduced thematic videos made ​​available on Radix, which is TUC's platform for multimedia publishing.
• Preferably asynchronous teaching activities, ie the teacher and the students need not be online at the same time.
• Curriculum, exercises, solutions and supplementary literature are available in the learning management system (LMS), which is Fronter, or available on the homepage of the pertinent course.
• Tutorials via email or Skype.
• Exercises and projects accomplished individually or in student groups.
• Laboratory work to be carried out during the gatherings (compulsory).

Theory and Practical Training

Most courses in the programme offer a combination of theory and practical work (taking place at gatherings at the end of each semester), although the distribution between the two components may be very different in different courses; see details in the course descriptions.

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,
• 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