Major: Systems and Automation (SYAT)

 

The major Systems Engineering and Automation comprises three semesters of lectures, tutorials and lab courses, along with an industrial internship of at least 18 weeks and a final master thesis in the fourth semester. In total, the program amounts to 120 ECTS credits.

The major is mainly built up of two module groups, each containing a list of required elective courses: catalogue CORE focuses on Automation in industry, Automation in Power Engineering, Automation in Communication and Automation in Smart Living, whereas the modules of catalogue ELECTIVE only concentrate on one or more of the above mentioned study profiles.

Study profiles show you useful combination of modules. They are intended as proposals. However, other combinations within the respective major are possible.

The curriculum is complemented by a broad offer of laboratories, project works and seminars. In addition, there is an area of eligible courses which comprises the full master degree program of the faculty, hence including courses from all majors. Finally there is an area of free elective courses from the entire RWTH course program, including language courses, courses in economy, law or soft-skill courses and block lectures.

 

General information on Master Degree Program

Read the information regarding the course of studies and a possible curriculum.

 

Program requirements: Major Systems and Automation (SYAT)

The domain and subject-specific skills and competences attained at master’s level build upon the skills and competences at bachelor’s level. The master phase of the programme provides a high level of specialisation, a research-related training and in-depth domain-specific knowledge at a professional level.

Graduates with a Master degree in Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Computer Engineering and a specialization in “Systems Engineering and Automation” will understand systems by combining their in-depth knowledge in systems and control with their knowledge of other disciplines.

Graduates from this Master Programme can apply control theory to design systems with a desired behaviour. They have insight and enhanced appreciation of analysis, modelling and control of dynamic systems. They are assumed to be familiar with calculus, physics and programming skills. They have the ability to interpret physical significance of mathematical results in system analysis. The graduates are able to apply theoretical concepts of system identification, modelling and optimisation. For many industrial branches, automation technology is the key to the economic efforts.

The graduates are able

• to take technical-scientific questions from practice, to understand the problems, to formulate them and then communicate them to others.
• to analyse engineering and technology questions and formulate a solution.
• to understand the impact of design activities on life cycle of products.
• to adequately report, both written and verbally, in an adequate technical language and terminology about results.
• to communicate adequately in their native language and in English.

In order to achieve these goals, the Master Programme utilizes the following teaching and research forms:

• Lectures – a serial presentation of material including the treatment of specific methodologies
• Tutorials – the solidifying and deepening of expert knowledge and capabilities by solving problems associated with lecture material
• Laboratory exercises – small working groups elaborate and work on given tasks such as measurements, testing and programming for a limited period of time and give written summary of their results
• Seminar work – the elaboration of complex questions and scientific knowledge. Basic knowledge is presupposed. Students give oral presentations in the seminar
• Projects – Small working groups elaborate and work on complex problems for a limited period of time and give written and oral presentations of their results
• Excursions – expert guided tours of technical installations and facilities outside the university
• Intensive Courses – compact intensive courses composed of lectures and tutorials.

The Master Programme comprises 4 semesters. During the last semester, the students must independently complete a master’s thesis (six months); these are normally in an area of specialization and often part of a larger research project.

 

Study Plan (recommended)

Master of Science in "Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Computer Engineering"; Major Systems Engineering and Automation:

1. Semester

Modules	Credits	Total
5 compulsory elective modules from catalogue CORE or ELECTIVE of the major Systems and Automation (SYAT)	20	32
1 elective module from catalogue GENERAL from the entire offer of the faculty	4
LABORATORY or PROJECT from the catalogue of the major Systems and Automation (SYAT)	4
SEMINAR (offered by the faculty)	4
Module Scientific Integrity	0

2. Semester

5 compulsory elective modules from catalogue CORE or ELECTIVE of the major Systems and Automation (SYAT)	20	32
1 elective module from catalogue GENERAL from the entire offer of the faculty	4
2 modules from catalogue ADDITIONAL	8

3. Semester

Industrial internship (18 Weeks)	18	26
Seminar relating to the internship	4
1 module from catalogue ADDITIONAL	4

4. Semester

Master thesis incl. master colloquium	30
Total	120