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    MSc
    2024 start September 

    Advanced Control and Systems Engineering (with Industrial Management)

    Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering

    This course will advance your knowledge of modern control and systems engineering together with management theory and practice.
    the control lab, with a mechatronic project in progress

    Course description

    This course is designed for anyone looking to specialise in control and systems engineering and management theory and practice. 

    You will learn systems modelling, optimization and signal processing and industrial automation together with project management, risk management and management of innovation. 

    You’ll work with companies on real problems experienced by industry and learn practical skills using MATLAB and programme logic controllers (PLCs).

    You will also complete a research-level dissertation project where you will take the lead to advance your knowledge and skills in systems and control engineering.

    Accreditation

    Accredited by the Engineering Council UK, Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institute of Measurement and Control.

    Modules

    A selection of modules are available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. From May of the year of entry, formal programme regulations will be available in our Programme Regulations Finder.

    Core modules:

    Foundations of Control Systems

    This is an introductory module on the foundations of control systems engineering. The aim of this module is to consolidate fundamental control and systems engineering aspects as well as introduce relevant topics to those new in the discipline. The module is separated in four (4) distinct themes: 1. introductory maths and MATLAB; 2. systems modelling and simulation; 3. control systems analysis and design; 4. digital control systems.

    30 credits
    Optimisation and Signal Processing

    This module aims to provide detailed presentations to the use of the theory and methods of optimisation and signal processing for a wide range of engineering problems. In the optimisation part, in additional to traditional optimisation methods, topics based on recent developments in heuristic methods, such as evolutionary computing (e.g. swarm intelligence) will also be presented. While in the signal processing part, the concepts of sampling, digital filters and digital image processing will be introduced; the analysis methods of discrete signals and systems in both the time and frequency domain, and basic digital image processing methods will be delivered.

    15 credits
    Strategic Engineering Management and Business Practices

    This module aims to provide fundamentals of what strategy is and distinguish it from activities, tactics and goals of an organisation. It explains its important role in the continual success of organisations. It also introduces how strategy can be translated into business practices, methods, procedures to achieve the goals of an organisation's strategy.

    The module is designed to develop your analytical and critical skills in the strategic management issues facing engineering organisations in today's fast-changing environment. It is a unique opportunity for you to equip yourself with the essential industry-relevant skills to excel as a future leader.

    15 credits
    Machine Vision

    The module gives knowledge of machine vision methods for a broad range of applications. It introduces you to image and video processing models and methods and provides you with skills on how to embed them in autonomous systems. You will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to both industrial and research areas.

    15 credits
    Industrial Automation

    Industrial automation has become an important feature today, especially in this age of rapid production and high
    precision. Knowledge and skill in this area has therefore become increasingly necessary. This module aims to give you the opportunity to interact directly with devices such as sensors and actuators through Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) and PC; gather, process and monitor data locally or at remote locations; configure the hardware and program the latest version of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) used in industries. You will have the opportunity to learn PID controllers and their applications in industry.

    15 credits
    Control Systems Project and Dissertation

    The aim of the project is to give you the opportunity to develop further your advanced knowledge and skills and apply these to a specific problem or set of problems. It builds on the taught modules and develops a greater level of independence. You will be allocated a project supervisor with whom you will develop the project specification and who will provide overall guidance on the project. However, you are expected to demonstrate a high level of initiative and independence. You will also develop skills in creative and critical thinking, analysis, reflection, effective project management and communication. The project is very different from many of your taught modules where the lecturer takes the lead in your learning. In the project you are expected to take the lead and the supervisor is expected to provide overall guidance and help.

    60 credits
    Industrial training programme (ITP) in Advanced Manufacturing

    This module will provide an insight into advanced manufacturing systems via industry-relevant project work. This will be in collaboration with an industrial partner. The industrial partner will set a real technical challenge and your group will undertake practical and theoretical work and present a report that will also require an in-depth literature review. To supplement the main technical challenge there will be focused technical seminars on relevant topics. These topics will be provided by both academics and industry engineers. In addition, the industrial partner will provide seminars relevant to both professional and technical skills to help you complete the project.

    15 credits
    Managing Innovation and Change in Engineering Contexts

    This module introduces you to the importance of innovation in manufacturing and service organisations whose primary business activity is engineering and/or technology. Innovation management is introduced as the thoughtful combination of new product/process development and change management. Through case studies, theoretical frameworks, and tools you will come to understand innovation at multiple scales: international, national, regional, organisational and team, with particular emphasis on how organisations manage and exploit the commercial risks and opportunities inherent in innovation, and how project teams and engineers can respond to innovation challenges effectively. The module is aimed at engineering students of any discipline.

    15 credits

    The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

    Open days

    An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.

    Find out what makes us special at our next online open day on Wednesday 17 April 2024.

    You may also be able to pre-book a department visit as part of a campus tour.Open days and campus tours

    Duration

    1 year full-time

    Teaching

    There are lectures, tutorials, laboratory work and individual assignments.

    Project work

    You can use our award-winning take-home lab kits to explore core concepts at home. It supports our teaching, giving you the chance to learn by doing whenever you want to, not just in classes.

    You’ll work on a major project of your own as part of your final assessment and there are chances to contribute to other projects throughout the course.

    Assessment

    You’ll be assessed by exams, coursework assignments and a project dissertation. 

    Your career

    Our courses are informed by our strong links with industry and our research.

    Graduates of this course go on to work for companies such as Tesla, Siemens, Amazon, Huawei, Intel and Network Rail. They go into roles in advanced manufacturing, software engineering, robotics and controls and automation systems engineering.

    Some graduates choose to follow up their studies with a research degree.

    Department

    Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering

    Photo of the Amy Johnson building 2023

    We are the only department in the UK dedicated to Control and Systems Engineering.

    Our engineering graduates imagine, design and develop the advanced technologies and solutions that address big societal challenges.

    We have a diverse and vibrant community of students and staff from all over the world and we are committed to provide an inclusive and supportive learning and working environment. 

    As a student of the Faculty of Engineering you’ll be able to participate in student-led teams and societies where you can apply your engineering skills for example; SunrIde which launch rockets to record altitudes, MarsWorks who develop a Mars rover and Sheffield Bionics who create new technology for healthcare. All of this will help you develop skills for your chosen career. 

    We are home to the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre and we’re an integral part of Sheffield Robotics and the Insigneo Institute. We have research contracts with major institutions like the European Space Agency, as well as our many academic and industrial partners. These connections mean our teaching is based on the latest thinking.

    Entry requirements

    Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in an engineering or mathematics subject. We may also consider science subjects with a significant amount of programming modules.

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    Overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.

    Apply

    You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

    Apply now

    Contact

    pgtacse@sheffield.ac.uk
    +44 114 222 5644

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.