Control Engineering

Charlie Masi

How can I get a master’s degree in automation and control?
April 30, 2007

The full text of this question appears below:
"I’m an engineer from Brazil. I’m very interested in a MSC program in automation engineering. … I’ve been working in this area since my graduation in 2002, and have experience in PLC’s, SCADA, DCS, Control loops, MES, and now, I’m working at [company name withheld], offering consulting in Automation.
I’m looking for:
* MSC In Automation and Control
* University with experience in this area (A dedicated department would be good)
* Collaboration with industries and automation companies (Rockwell, Siemens, GE Fanuc, etc.)
* Active research in this area (professors with constant publications)
Which university in USA or United Kingdom has this kind of course?"

Note that “controls and automation” is not (yet) a separate engineering discipline. Controls engineers must have a background in both electronics and computer science. They also need a background in engineering whatever they expect to control. Mechatronics engineers, for example, need a mechanical engineering background; process control engineers need chemical engineering; and so forth. You may have to look for a master's program in your favorite engineering discipline and do a concentration in controls and automation.

The good (perhaps) news is that you probably won’t have to relocate. Educational technology has advanced to the point where you can earn a master’s degree online in almost any subject.  In this posting, I’m going to concentrate on online programs, but the universities mentioned below also provide on-campus engineering programs.

For online engineering programs, the first place I look is the University of Washington (with campuses in Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma). I’m not sure how long UW has been developing online courses, but it’s at least the better part of ten years. Their program is called UW/EDGE, which stands for “education at a distance for growth and excellence.” EDGE is fully accredited as part of UW's accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

EDGE videotapes on-campus graduate-level engineering courses and publishes them on videotape, cd-rom, and the Web. Via one of these three methods, you can take an EDGE class from any location at anytime. You can take exams with a proctor from your location and submit your homework by fax or email attachment. The course syllabus, discussion board, homework assignments and class notes are all posted on each course web site, so access to information is simple. You can alternate between EDGE and on-campus classes, as well as go on leave if you need to take off a quarter. Graduate students have six years to complete their program.

I do not, however, see a specific program for “controls and automation” on the EDGE website. Controls and automation are, however, important to many of the disciplines listed. The aerospace program, for example, includes controls courses.

Distance learning programs at other universities operate more or less the same way.

ISA (don’t ask for a translation of the acronym), on the other hand, has collaborated with a number of universities to develop automation-oriented master’s programs. Their website features programs at three universities: Oklahoma State University (Stillwater), Indiana State University (Terre Haute), and Drexel (Philadelphia, PA).

Oklahoma State provides a Master of Science in Control Systems Engineering (MS CSE) that is a free-standing degree program offered by the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. Four schools within the college are participating in the program: chemical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, industrial engineering and management, and mechanical and aerospace engineering. The program is designed both for practicing engineers and scientists, as well as full-time graduate students. Compressed video, tape, and Internet delivery from on-campus classes provide time and schedule flexibility to match busy work requirements. On- or off-campus, course options allow you to build a program that closely matches pertinent work topics and career paths.

Indiana State has a program providing a master of science in electronics and computer technology (MSECT). It is a 32-credit-hour (minimum) program that includes a focus, or concentration, in instrumentation, systems, and automation. Delivery is by Internet, with some courses including DVD supplements.

I have a soft spot in my heart for Drexel because of interviews I did in the mid-1990s for an article on engineering education. Their recognition that universities should make practical experience and connections with industry an important part of engineering students’ education won them high marks. Drexel's online programs follow the same high academic standards and lead to the same, quality degrees as on-campus. Designed for working professionals, Drexel's online programs offer convenience and flexibility while focusing on teaching applicable skills and promoting career advancement.

If you, for some reason, really, really want to relocate to the U.S., you might be able to combine online education with an engineering job with one of the many excellent U.S. automation and controls companies, a few of which you mentioned. This would be a separate issue that you would have to take up with the human resources departments of those companies. Control Engineering just completed a salary survey, the results of which will be published this month. Look for the results in the May 2007 print issue or online at the Control Engineering website to get an idea what the job market for controls engineers in the U.S. is like.

Posted by Charlie Masi on April 30, 2007 | Comments (4)