Entry requirementsYou should have a first degree (or equivalent) in any engineering or physical science subject with a good mathematical content. Candidates with relevant industrial experience may be allowed entry to the course provided their experience can be taken in lieu of formal qualifications.
Academic titleMSc/PgDip Control Engineering
Course descriptionThis course is designed to meet the needs of both specialist and non-specialist graduates in engineering and science. We hope that it will appeal to you if you wish to embark on an exciting career in the area of control and systems engineering, as well as to practising engineers in the field who wish to update their skills and become aware of recent advances in this growth area of hi-tech engineering.
It is a challenging course which covers all the major aspects of automatic control systems engineering, with modules ranging from classical control system design to optimal, adaptive and intelligent control systems, including an introduction to artificial neural networks and evolutionary computing. Furthermore, modules on the course are registered as part of the continuing Professional Development schemes of the IEE and IMechE.
On completion of the course you should be able to appreciate the importance of control engineering as a fundamental multidisciplinary subject as well as a subject in its own right; design, evaluate and implement control algorithms and techniques for a wide range of processes and plant and form a critical and objective judgment on aspects relating to advantages and limitations of control system strategies.
The course also provides the necessary groundwork for a career in research in academia or another such research organisation, including our own Control Theory and Applications Centre and Applied Mathematics Research Group.
Study mode
The course can be completed by either full-time or part-time study. The part-time modules can be taken either in the evenings or during the day or a combination of both. The full-time route is of one year's duration whilst the part-time route may be of a two or three year duration.
The course consists of ten taught modules (each worth 12 credits) and a project (60 credits). It is normal for part-time students to attend two evenings per week and to study two modules over a 12 week teaching block, completing the taught modules in two years. Full-time students study a maximum of four modules over a 12 week block.
On successful completion of eight single modules (96 credits) of the taught element of the course, you will be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma. You will be required to undertake two more modules and a project to become eligible for the award of the MSc. Projects will normally be supported by staff attached to the Control Theory and Applications Centre.
Course content
All students study two fundamental modules which serve to underpin the remainder of the course. These are Linear Control Engineering and Mathematics and Computing for Control.
The remaining modules on the course are:
* Digital Computer Control Systems
* Fault Detection in Control Systems
* Genetic Algorithms
* Neural Networks and Fuzzy Logic
* Non Linear Control Engineering
* Optimal Filtering and Parameter Estimation
* Self-tuning and Adaptive Control
* System Identification
The masters project can be tailored to suit the interests of each individual, and have included in the past: Adaptive model based control of a hot steel rolling mill; Comparison of rule-based and model based control systems; Identification of diesel engine characteristics from operating records and Development of a fuzzy logic gas engine speed controller