Master of Science in Control Engineering

The Master's Degree in Control Engineering lasts two years. A student enrolled in this Degree Program has to earn a total of 120 credits through exams and qualifications.

Applicants to this master's Degree Program are evaluated by an appointed committee which assesses the fulfillment of the requirements as well as the candidate's knowledge.

First-year

First semester

• Nonlinear systems and control
• Filtering and Optimal Control

Second semester

• Nonlinear systems and control
• Filtering and Optimal Control
• At the student's choice

Second year

First semester

At the student's choice

Second semester

• Internship
• Final exam

Learning outcomes

The Master of Science in Control Engineering introduces the student to the basic methodologies of Automatic Control such as the modelling and identification of dynamical systems, the measurement processing and online filtering of sensor data, the generalized use of feedback to stabilize the behaviour of a process and optimize its performance and the integrated system design of automatic control. These methods are pervasive in various engineering fields and are often necessary to enable the power of other technologies in dealing with advanced applications, both in industrial and service automation.

Automation plays a strategic role in sustainable development in advanced economies, as in the fields of energy management and communication and transport networks (smart grids), alternative energy sources, automotive, mechatronics (embedded systems), bio-medical applications, robotics, or in the context of the Future Internet.

In these emerging sectors of Automation, complex processes are present, of a hybrid and uncertain nature, with non-linear and/or difficult-to-model dynamics. They require control actions that are often distributed but mutually coordinated, undertaken on the base of incomplete and/or noisy information. The increasingly advanced sensors and the actuators feature and the increasingly real-time high processing capabilities, both accessible at relatively affordable costs, make it possible now to apply innovative control techniques, essential to meet the new demands for high quality, reliability and energy sustainability.

The methodological approach to the analysis and design of complex automatic control systems and the ability to implement these systems in ways which take into account the specific nature of the different application areas are the two cornerstones of education in Control Engineering.

On the other hand, an interdisciplinary preparation and a mindset which is oriented towards achieving maximum versatility are necessary factors for the success of Masters graduates in most of the current and future working environments (increasingly more heterogeneous in the field of ICT and Automation in general, both at national and an international level).

Besides the specific technical know-how in Control Engineering, this course of study will provide tools for describing and understanding the main issues in engineering problems, will develop the capacities for creating, planning, designing, and running automatic systems, processes, and services, and will enhance skills in experimenting scientific innovation. It will introduce students to the correct use of technical English in written and oral form.

The Master's Degree thesis represents an essential element in the completion of the education programme, which allows the student to apply the wide range of notions and methodologies acquired in the industrial or scientific field, and to demonstrate a deep knowledge of the subjects, the ability to work independently and good communication skills.

The educational program enables students to use the master's Degree acquired on an international level. This opportunity is guaranteed by the quantity and quality of the international research relations, managed by the teaching staff, as well as the fact that the master's Degree is taught in English. The educational programme also aims at maintaining a close connection with the labour market, a connection which is guaranteed by the vast number and prestige of ICT co-operative research projects with universities and national and especially international companies, in which the teaching staff are involved.

Graduates in Control Engineering will have an adequate level of preparation to enable them to enter basic or applied research contexts, both at universities and at research centres as well as in the research and development company sectors, nationally and internationally.

Project Engineer of control systems for energy, communication, or transport networks

In this context, the Masters Degree in Control Engineering enables students to find employment at:

• Design, control, and management companies of communication networks (for example, telecommunications operators, service and content providers)
• Design, control, and management companies of energy production and distribution networks
• Public or private companies dealing with the control and management of transport systems and networks
• Engineering companies for business integration and corporate consulting in the ICT sectors
• Companies or entities managing content and services
• Universities and research centers operating in the fields of information and automation.

Design Engineer of robotic, mechatronic, and space systems

In this context, the Masters Degree in Control Engineering enables students to find employment at:

• Companies that produce robots and robot systems
• Companies that produce components and systems for automation (industrial regulators, smart sensors, machine tools, automotive, aerospace)
• Engineering companies for industrial automation and services and the integration of ICT processes
• Companies that use automation products
• Universities and research centers operating in the fields of information and automation.

Engineer responsible for the management of automated systems and expert in process optimization

In this context, the Masters Degree in Control Engineering enables students to find employment at:

• Large multinational companies with highly automated production plants
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with automation requirements
• Companies that produce components and systems for automation (industrial regulators, smart sensors, electric actuators, hydraulic, pneumatic, machine tools)
• Companies that use automation products, such as public administrations and companies that produce consumer goods
• Companies or bodies for monitoring and controlling the environmental impact of industrial production systems
• Engineering companies for automation and business consulting
• Universities and research centers operating in the fields of information and automation.