Study plan

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

Applicants to this Masters Degree Programme are evaluated by an appointed committee which assesses the fulfillment of the requirements as well as the candidates personal knowledge. 

Curriculum

120 credits (Ects) are needed for the Masters Degree. These are earned as follows

  • 2 mandatory core courses, for a total of 24 credits, during the two semesters of the first year
  • 6 courses chosen from a group of 11 core courses, totaling 36 credits
  • 3 courses chosen from a group of 10 completing courses, totaling 18 credits
  • another 12 credits from elective courses chosen by the student
  • internship (3 credits) and master thesis (27 credits) during the second year

Students should pass a total of 12 exams. Exams concerning elective courses count altogether as a single exam. Instead of 2 elective courses of 6 credits each, students may opt for one elective course of 12 credits. An elective course of 6 credits may be included in the study plan already at the first year.

To earn credits from a course a student has to pass an exam with a sufficient grade (≥18, out of 30). To earn credits from the internship and the Master Dissertation a student has to qualify.

 

SSD (Italian university classification of scientific areas): ING-INF/04 = Systems and control; ING-INF/05 = Computer science; ING-INF/06 = Bioengineering; ING-IND/13 = Applied mechanics; ING-IND/32 = Converters, electrical machines, and drives.

Ingegneria Automatica (Percorso valido anche ai fini del conseguimento del doppio titolo italo-francese o italo-venezuelano)

First year

Orientamento unico
Course Semester CFU SSD Language
1041424 - Nonlinear Systems and Control Second semester 12 ING-INF/04 English
1041425 - System Identification and Optimal Control Second semester 12 ING-INF/04 English
- A SCELTA DELLO STUDENTE Second semester 6 English
Gruppo OPZIONALE:Lo studente deve scegliere 36 Cfu (l'acquisizione è da intendersi relativa a tutta la durata del corso di studi) Go to group
Gruppo OPZIONALE: Lo studente deve scegliere 18 cfu (l'acquisizione è da intendersi relativa a tutta la durata del corso di studi) Go to group

Second year

Orientamento unico
Course Semester CFU SSD Language
- A SCELTA DELLO STUDENTE First semester 6 English
AAF1041 - STAGE Second semester 3 English
AAF1025 - Final exam Second semester 27 English
Gruppo OPZIONALE:Lo studente deve scegliere 36 Cfu (l'acquisizione è da intendersi relativa a tutta la durata del corso di studi) Go to group
Gruppo OPZIONALE: Lo studente deve scegliere 18 cfu (l'acquisizione è da intendersi relativa a tutta la durata del corso di studi) Go to group

Optional Groups

Gruppo OPZIONALE:Lo studente deve scegliere 36 Cfu (l'acquisizione è da intendersi relativa a tutta la durata del corso di studi): The student must acquire 36 CFU from the exams below
Course Year Semester CFU SSD Language
1041422 - Process Automation First year First semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1023235 - Robotics I First year First semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1041453 - Robust Control First year First semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1041426 - Multivariable Feedback Control First year Second semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1021883 - ROBOTICS II First year Second semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1022775 - AUTONOMOUS AND MOBILE ROBOTICS Second year First semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1041429 - Control of Communication and Energy Networks Second year First semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1041428 - Digital Control Systems Second year First semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1041454 - DYNAMICS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINES AND DRIVES Second year First semester 6 ING-IND/32 English
1041431 - Vehicle system dynamics Second year Second semester 6 ING-IND/13 English
1041427 - Control of Autonomous Multi-Agent Systems Second year Second semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
Gruppo OPZIONALE: Lo studente deve scegliere 18 cfu (l'acquisizione è da intendersi relativa a tutta la durata del corso di studi): The student must acquire 18 CFU from the exams below
Course Year Semester CFU SSD Language
10592834 - Neuroengineering First year Second semester 6 ING-INF/06 English
1021883 - ROBOTICS II First year Second semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1022775 - AUTONOMOUS AND MOBILE ROBOTICS Second year First semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1022792 - Computer And Network Security Second year First semester 6 ING-INF/05 English
1041429 - Control of Communication and Energy Networks Second year First semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1055496 - Control problems in robotics Second year First semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1041428 - Digital Control Systems Second year First semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1022858 - MACHINE LEARNING Second year First semester 6 ING-INF/05 English
10592976 - Advanced methods in control Second year Second semester 6 ING-INF/04 English
1041427 - Control of Autonomous Multi-Agent Systems Second year Second semester 6 ING-INF/04 English

Educational Regulation

Masters Degree in Control Engineering

(Master of Science in Control Engineering)

Class LM-25 Control Engineering

2018-19 Course Catalogue

Activated years: 1st and 2nd year

 

Specific learning outcomes

The Masters Degree in Control Engineering is the only one provided by Sapienza University in the field of Automation Engineering (LM-25). It is positioned in an educational programme which usually begins with a Bachelors Degree in Computer and Automation Engineering (BIAR), and ends with the PhD in Automatic, Bioengineering and Operational Research (ABRO). All three educational programmes are provided by the Department of Computer Engineering, Automation and Management (DIAG). The course is taught in English (Master of Science in Control Engineering).

The interdisciplinary nature of the Master of Science in Control Engineering and its rigorous methodological approach, make it suitable to be undertaken by students who have achieved a Bachelors Degree in any of the branches of information engineering or industrial engineering, as well as of the Faculties of Mathematics or Physics.

The Master of Science in Control Engineering introduces the student to the basic methodologies of Automatic Control such as modelling and identification of dynamical systems, measurement processing and on-line filtering of sensor data, generalized use of feedback to stabilize the behaviour of a process and optimize its performance, 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 for sustainable development in advanced economies, as for example in the fields of energy management and of 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 sensors and actuators advanced features 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 as well as the ability to implement these systems by taking into account also 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 Masters Degree Programme will provide tools for describing and understanding the main issues in engineering problems, it will develop the students' capacities for ideating, planning, designing, and running automatic systems, processes, and services, and it will enhance their skills in experimenting scientific innovation. It will introduce students to the correct use of technical English in written and oral form.

The Masters Degree dissertation represents an essential element in the completion of the education programme.It 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.

Admission requirements

Graduates who have achieved at least 96 credits in the following sectors can be admitted to the Masters Degree in Control Engineering:

- MAT/01-/02-/03-/05-/06-/07-/08-/09;
- FIS/01-/02-/03;
- CHIM/01-/02-/03-/04-/06-/07;
- ING-INF/01-/02-/03-/04-/05-/06-/07;
- ING-IND/03-/04-/05-/06-/07-/09-/10-/13-/17-/31-/32-/33-/34-/35.

Within the abovementioned 96 credits, it is highly recommended to have acquired at least 15 credits during the Bachelors Degree in subjects of the following scientific-disciplinary sectors: ING-INF / 04 (Control), ING-IND / 13 (Mechanics applied to machines) and ING-IND / 32 (Converters, machines and electrical power drives). In particular, 9 credits are required in the ING-INF / 04 (Automatic) sector, and can be acquired for example through lessons on the fundamentals of Control Engineering, Systems Theory, Automatic Controls or similar. Alternatively, it is necessary to demonstrate a good knowledge of the contents of these basic courses of Control Engineering, and the principles of the automation of electrical processes and drives. A good command of the English language, both written and spoken, is also required and must correspond to at least a B2 level of competence.

Assessment of the adequacy of the candidates' technical knoweledge may be carried out through an interview. For admission to this Masters Degree the results of the Bachelors Degree are not taken into consideration.

Regulations concerning transitions and transfers

Information regarding being admitted to the second year of the Degree, moving to the new programme regulation system for those enrolled in previous systems, transfers, exam recognition methods and other issues will be examined by the Programme Committee of the Master of Science in Control Engineering.

Description of the study programme

The Degree Programme in Control Engineering aims to enable students to use the obtained Masters Degree on an international level. This opportunity is guaranteed by the quantity and quality of the international research relations, managed by the professors of the Masters Degree which is also taught in English. The educational programme also aims at maintaining a close connection with the labour market, a connection which is ensured by the vast number of prestigious research projects in the ICT domain in which the academic staff is involved and which are carried out in cooperation with universities, national and especially international companies.

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

The Master of Science in Control Engineering is part of an Italian-French network and allows the acquisition of the double-Degree at selected Universities and "Grandes Ecoles" in Paris, Grenoble, Lyon, Nantes, Nice and Toulouse. The agreement between Sapienza University and the French Institutions defines the operational modalities, the list of the second level qualifications, "Maitrise", and the Ecole that can be acquired (visit the Department website http://www.diag.uniroma1.it/~automatica/p=procedures/doppio_titolo&l=en).

Final test

The final exam may concern a project or an internship, on average of 6 months, undertaken in an industrial structure or in the University laboratories. The final Degree examination consists in the presentation and discussion in English of a project and a dissertation which is supervised by an appointed professor. The work must demonstrate that the student masters the methods of Control Engineering and / or their application in specific sectors, with a level of competence in line with the demands imposed by the processes of technological innovation. The final exam will be structured in such a way as to constitute an important credential for graduates to enter the labour market.

Employment and professional opportunities for graduates

The professional opportunities for graduates from the Masters Degree in Control Engineering are those of advanced design of automatic control systems for complex processes; management of industrial systems, production and services; design of control systems in different contexts, such as energy management, communication and transport networks (smart grids); optimum use of alternative energy sources; automotive, mechatronics, aerospace (embedded systems); monitoring and control of the environment; bio-medical applications; robotics. These design functions are necessary both in manufacturing or service companies, and in public administrations and private practise.

As it is taught in English and has an international approach, the Master of Science in Control Engineering provides an education that helps graduates to find employment both in national companies working in international contexts, and in international companies. The rigorous methodological approach used in this Degree Programme, facilitates the access of the graduates  to both fundamental and applied research contexts, at universities and research centres and in the research and development company sectors.
For example, it enables students to find employment at:

- Companies producing components and systems for control automation (automation and control systems, machine tools and robotic systems, automotive, aerospace) and that use control automation products, such as the public administration, companies producing consumer goods, transport systems;

 - Companies that design, control and manage communication networks (for example: telecommunications operators, manufacturing companies, service and content providers), energy distribution networks and transport networks;

- Universities and research centres operating in the fields of information and control automation;

-  Engineering companies for business integration and consulting;

- Companies or bodies that manage content and services.

The possible professional profiles are:

- Project engineer of control systems for energy, communication or transport networks;

- Engineer responsible for the management of automated plants;

- Design engineer of robotic, mechatronic and space systems;

- Engineer expert in process optimization;

- Expert in bio-medical systems.

General information 

Programs, preparatory courses and exam texts: the Masters Degree Programme and other educational information are available on the website: http://www.diag.uniroma1.it/~automatica.

Tutoring services: The Educational Programme Committee provides tutoring services which are made available by the Faculty. The teachers of the Masters Degree in Control Engineering undertake tutoring and support of students. The names of the tutors and the hours in which they receive students are published on the Degree Programme website. To undertake educational and orientation internships in companies (or in external research institutes),  an academic tutor and a company tutor will be appointed to follow the student’s progress.

Quality Assurance

The Control Engineering Programme Committee, in cooperation with the Faculty, carries out surveys to evaluate the students' opinions for all the courses within its competence. The survey system is integrated with a quality programme which is managed by the Monitoring Committee and the Degree Programme Quality Team. The results of surveys and the analysis of the Monitoring Committee and of the quality team are used to promote actions to improve the educational activities.

Maximum number of exams

Students should pass a total of 12 exams. Courses of free choice count altogether as a single exam.

Types of teaching methods adopted and methods for verifying students’ preparation 

Each course may contain lectures, tutorials, workshops, group work, and any other activities that the teacher believes may be useful for teaching purposes. The verification of the preparation done for each course usually consists of an exam, which can involve oral and / or written tests according to the methods defined by the teacher and communicated with the programme.

Students who are simultaneously engaged in other activities may request to attend part-time and obtain a lower number of annual credits (instead of the 60 credits which are normally required) . The rules related to attending part-time  are set out in the University Regulations. As to regulations concerning rights and duties of part-time students these are set out in the established general regulations. 

Recognition of study abroad experiences 

Courses attended at foreign Universities with which the Faculty "Ingegneria dell'informazione, informatica e statistica", has agreements, projects and / or conventions in operation, are recognized according to the regulations indicated in the agreements. Students may, after being authorized by the Masters Degree Programme Board, carry out a period of study abroad as part of the Erasmus + project. In accordance with the University Teaching Regulations regarding studies, exams and academic qualifications obtained abroad, the Programme Committee will examine from time to time the program to award credits in the corresponding scientific disciplinary sectors.
Control Engineering Course website

Information concerning courses, professors, programs, exams, transfers, etc., as well as initiatives of the study programme can be found at the Department website: www.diag.uniroma1.it/~automatica 

 

The educational programme aims to enable students to use the obtained Masters Degree on an international level. This opportunity is guaranteed by the quantity and quality of the international research connections, managed by the professors of this Masters Degree which is also taught in English. The educational programme also aims at maintaining a close connection with the labour market, a connection which is ensured by the vast number of prestigious research projects in the ICT domain in which the academic staff is involved and which are carried out with universities, national and especially international companies.

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

The Master of Science in Control Engineering is part of an Italian-French network and allows the acquisition of the double-Degree at selected Universities and "Grandes Ecoles" in Paris, Grenoble, Lyon, Nantes, Nice and Toulouse. The agreement between Sapienza University and the French Institutions defines the operational modalities, the list of the second level qualifications, "Maitrise", and the Ecole that can be acquired (please visit the Department website http://www.diag.uniroma1.it/~automatica/?p=procedures/doppio_titolo&l=en).