The overall objective of this course is to add value to your first degree and previous relevant experience by developing a focused, integrated and critically aware understanding of underlying theory and current policy and practice in the field of control systems engineering.
The course is control systems focused, with the emphasis on control systems theory together with a range of control applications including industrial control (SCADA), intelligent control, flight control and robotic control. The control systems approach provides continuity in learning throughout the one year of study.
This course has been awarded accredited status by both the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for 2010 to 2014 intake cohorts as meeting the exemplifying academic benchmark for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for students who also hold an accredited BEng Honours degree. Candidates who do not hold an appropriately accredited BEng Honours degree will gain partial exemption for CEng status; these candidates will need to have their first qualification individually assessed if they wish to progress onto CEng registration.
Professional registration and Institution membership will enhance your career in the following ways:
On completion of the course you should have a critical awareness and understanding of current problems in control engineering, techniques applicable to research in the field of control systems and how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the field of control systems. You should also be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgments in the absence of complete data, and communicate your conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialists.
The MSc course has both full-time and part-time routes over three 12 week semesters
The PgDip course is full-time over two 12 week semesters
For the full-time study option:
Automation and Robotics (30 credits)
This module will develop a detailed and systematic understanding of current industrial control technology and practice. On completion of the module you will have the capacity to apply current PLC, SCADA and DCS systems.
You will also have the ability to design and program a PLC and robot-based system.
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Instrumentation and Control (30 credits)
This module will give you a comprehensive understanding and systematic understanding of knowledge in the design and analysis of both measurement and feedback control systems.
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Artificial Intelligence (30 credits)
The aim of this module is to give you a comprehensive understanding of the role of artificial intelligence in control applications, and provide you with practical experience of using techniques such as fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, and evolutionary computing in engineering applications.
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Flight Dynamics and Control (30 credits)
On completion of this module you will have a complete understanding of how to analyse flight dynamics and the design of flight control systems.
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Operations Techniques and Management (30 credits)
This module will develop your understanding of operations research and of when and how the different approaches, models and techniques are used in management decision making such as financial management, production planning and decision analysis.
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MSc Project and Dissertation (60 credits)
The project module is to give you the opportunity to bring together what has been done in all of your other modules, working under the direction of an academic supervisor to carry out high-level coordinated academic and practical work.
On completion of the Project, you should have demonstrated the following:
- Ability to apply multiple theories (educational, technical and project management) learnt elsewhere to a real-world research-driven project;
- Application of an appropriate software development methodology, using principles of planning, design, usability and scalability; and
- Critical and evaluative appraisal and discussion, arriving at relevant conclusions.
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Part-time route
Year 1, Semester 1
Automation and Robotics
This module will develop a detailed and systematic understanding of current industrial control technology and practice. On completion of the module you will have the capacity to apply current PLC, SCADA and DCS systems.
You will also have the ability to design and program a PLC and robot-based system.
close
Instrumentation and Control
This module will give you a comprehensive understanding and systematic understanding of knowledge in the design and analysis of both measurement and feedback control systems.
close
Year 2
Choose TWO modules from the following options for Year 2:
Artificial Intelligence
The aim of this module is to give you a comprehensive understanding of the role of artificial intelligence in control applications, and provide you with practical experience of using techniques such as fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, and evolutionary computing in engineering applications.
close
Flight Dynamics and Control
On completion of this module you will have a complete understanding of how to analyse flight dynamics and the design of flight control systems.
close
Operations Techniques
Year 3
MSc Project and Dissertation
The project module is to give you the opportunity to bring together what has been done in all of your other modules, working under the direction of an academic supervisor to carry out high-level coordinated academic and practical work.
On completion of the Project, you should have demonstrated the following:
- Ability to apply multiple theories (educational, technical and project management) learnt elsewhere to a real-world research-driven project;
- Application of an appropriate software development methodology, using principles of planning, design, usability and scalability; and
- Critical and evaluative appraisal and discussion, arriving at relevant conclusions.
close
