Learning outcome

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

Knowledge

The candidate will be able to:

• describe the interconnection of building blocks of SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) systems,
• explain communication strategies and protocols used in SCADA systems,
• describe the data flow in SCADA systems,
• explain the usage of real-time requirements in SCADA systems,
• explain the alarm system module in SCADA systems.

Skills

The candidate will be able to:

• design a SCADA system based on a set of requirements,
• develop a program for a PLC system,
• analyse the real-time requirements of a SCADA system,
• use different communication protocols for communication between modules in a SCADA system,
• design and implement a database for a process system.

General competence

The candidate will be able to:

• communicate acquired knowledge in some areas for industrial IT systems via technical report writing,
• present information from group projects, including a discussion with the audience.

Course Description

A SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) system consists of different hardware devices and software modules interconnected in a distributed architecture. The devices can be PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers), PAC (Programmable Automation Controllers), and DCS (Distributed Control Systems). The contents of the course will focus on the interconnection of such devices, distribution of information, real-time requirements and the usage of software modules like databases, user interface, alarm system and safety modules in a SCADA system. Subjects like testing, data security, hazardous locations and embedded systems will also be addressed regarding a SCADA system.

Teaching and Learning Methods

An online, part-time version of the SCE study programme will start Fall 2015. The present course will be taught online from the fall/spring semester year YYYY. However, the course will continue to be taught also as a traditional campus-based course. The course contents and learning material used in the course will be the same in both programmes, except that in the online programme, the lectures will be in the form of offline video-based lectures, and laboratory assignments will be organized at a gathering on the campus at the end of the semester.

Assessment Methods

A set of mandatory assignments count 30% of the final grade and an individual written final test counts 70% of the final grade. There will only be one common grade for all the assignments. Grades A to F are used. All mandatory assignments and the final test must be passed to get a final grade better than F. No study aids are permitted on the final test.

The assignments and the final test are used to assess knowledge and skills. The laboratory tasks are used to assess knowledge, skills and general competence.

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