Systems, Control and Mechatronics – (M.Sc.)

Contents

The programme consists of five compulsory courses together with three semi-compulsory courses and a set of elective courses. In the semi-compulsory/elective part of the programme it is possible to select courses
from defined course packages that will tailor the education towards a certain application or to more fundamental topics in control, automation or mechatronics.

The five compulsory courses focus on general systems engineering skills and aim
at providing a set of generic methods and tools:

* In Modelling and simulation the basic tools for systematic modelling from physics and/or experiments and simulation of those are learnt. These skills are widely used in many branches of systems engineering.
* Discrete event systems provides the basics for modelling and analysing systems with complex logic often present in man-made systems, for example, within embedded products and production systems.
* Linear control system design the fundamental ideas behind feedback control systems, based upon the triplet sensing – decision – actuation, are further pursued with focus on model based control system design.
* In Embedded control systems you learn the principles and mechanisms used in the implementation of control and automation systems, and what the implications are for the system as a whole.
* The Design project in systems, control and mechatronics, a structured project methodology is used in solving a larger design and implementation problem in a team where the skills from the previous courses are necessary to successfully solve the project.

The semi-compulsory courses consists of (three out of eight should be chosen) Model predictive control; Mechatronic Design; Optimization; Applied signal processing; Discrete event control and optimization; Nonlinear control; Robotics and manufacturing automation; Simulation of production systems. Course packages are used to tailor the education towards a certain application or more towards fundamental topics, examples of course packages are:

Automation focus on development of productions systems by extending the
skills in simulation of production systems, logistics, robots, and sustainability.

* Automotive systems extends the control and signal processing courses with courses in vehicle dynamics and hybrid vehicles.
* Control and signal processing further focus on general methods for control, signal processing and optimization.

Mechatronics is focused on the integration of electronics, mechanics and control systems.

* Power systems consist of courses that focus on electric drives, power systems and power electronics.
* Other examples of course packages are Mathematical system theory, Embedded systems, and Process control.

Research connections

The programme is a good platform for advanced studies and research. It qualifies students for postgraduate studies in e.g. automatic control, automation and mechatronics, which are all part of the Signals and Systems graduate school at Chalmers. Some of the courses offered by the graduate school are also suitable elective courses within the master’s programme. A master’s degree from Systems, Control and Mechatronics is, however, also highly relevant when pursuing a Ph.D. in related areas such as machine and vehicle systems, product and production development, complex systems and environmental sciences.