UNIVERSITY OF INFINITE AMBITIONS.

MASTER OF SCIENCESYSTEMS & CONTROL

FOCUS AND DISCIPLINESSystems and Control is a multidisciplinary field focusing on the control of all kinds of technical systems. It combines knowledge of the mathematics of Systems and Control with specific knowledge of its applications (e.g. mechatronic systems).

RESEARCH AND SPECIALIZATIONYou will investigate ways of developing mathematical models that reflect the key features of a system by employing differential equations, inequalities, algebraic equations and logical constraints. Then, You will use advanced methods to simulate the modelled system. During the simulations, control algorithms (e.g. using feed-forward or feedback) can be designed and tested. Depending on your specialization you will concentrate on elaborating theoretical aspects of control, or you will focus on the technology of developing mechatronic devices and systems.

SPECIALIZATIONS• Biomechatronics• Control Theory• Robotics and Mechatronics• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

MASTER’S PROGRAMME SYSTEMS & CONTROLThis two-year Master’s programme teaches you how to control the behaviour of dynamic phenomena and systems in interaction with their environment. The two-year Master’s in Systems and Control is an internationally oriented programme and is taught entirely in English. You can start in September. You can start the pre-master’s programme in September.

QUICK FACTSStarting date 1 SeptemberDegree Master of ScienceLanguage EnglishDuration 2 years, 120 creditsWebsite www.utwente.nl/go/sc

WHY THIS PROGRAMME?• You will learn advanced theories and techniques to

create applications that were not possible until now, including mobile robots, production machines, micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and biomechanical devices

• You will have access to world-class and state-of-the-art facilities such as our Robotics lab

• It is closely connected to CTIT, one of Europe’s leading ICT institutes, and MIRA, the University of Twente’s world-famous institute for biomedical research

The programme is divided into semesters. Each semester contains 20 weeks, and is subdivided into quarters. The Master’s programme is worth 120 credits, with each credit representing 28 hours of study.

YEAR 1Much of your first year (30 credits) will be devoted to a series of core courses: Modelling and Simulation, Digital Control Engineering, System Identification and Parameter Estimation, Integration Project, Philosophy of Science and Engineering. In addition, you can earn 15 credits from elective courses and 15 credits by taking courses that are geared towards your chosen specialization.

YEAR 2In the second year, you will experience practical training in the form of an internship worth 20 credits. The remaining 40 credits will be devoted to your Graduation Project, which also incorporates a literature review.

4TU PROGRAMMESystems and Control is a Master’s programme run by the 4TU.Federation, a collaboration between the Netherlands’ four leading universities of technology: University of Twente, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology and Wageningen University. This federation maximizes innovation by combining and concentrating the strengths of all four universities in research, education and knowledge transfer. The Master’s in Systems and Control is offered by three of the four universities: University of Twente, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology. All three universities offer a largely identical core programme and you are free to choose a specialization at any of the three, enabling you to benefit fully from each university’s specific strengths. You will enrol at one university, but the 4TU programme gives you access to the facilities of all three and the opportunity (but not the obligation) to take courses at all three universities. 4TU programmes also make use of video lectures to minimize travel time.

MASTER’S PROGRAMMEThe two-year Master’s in Systems and Control is an internationally oriented programme and is entirely taught in English. The programme is flexible due to the three specializations – Robotics & Mechatronics, Biomechatronics or Control Theory and offers you a wide range of electives provided by participating research groups (chairs). It encompasses both the fundamentals and the applications of biomedical engineering, robotics, precision equipment, MEMS (mechanical electronic micro systems) and hybrid systems.

Knowledge of the human healthy and eventually impaired physiology is required to optimally design biomechatronic devices. In particular, biophysical models of muscles, joints, central nervous system and sensors, and human motion control are very helpful for analysis and innovative designs. Also knowledge and skills in mechanical engineering, control engineering, system identification, and signal processing are required to realize devices that improve the quality of life of humans. Example of such devices are deep brain stimulators to suppress the symptoms of Parkinson disease, rehabilitation robotics to enhance neuro-rehabilitation of stroke survivors, wearable exoskeletons for humans that are unable to control their muscles (e.g. Spinal cord injured patients or Duchenne patients), prosthesis, brain computer interfaces, or support of cardiovascular and pulmonary function in the intensive care.

As a student of the master’s programme Systems and Control you will gain a thorough background in the art of modelling and identifying systems and designing strategies to control them. In this specialisation you will follow a number of courses that will enable you to apply your knowledge in the above mentioned biomechatronics field. You will be able to tailor the program to address your own individual interests and needs.

HOW IS BIOMECHATRONICS USED?An engineer in Biomechatronics combines knowledge of healthy and impaired human physiology with knowledge of the design of mechatronic devices. In this specialization you will work towards designing new biomechatronic innovations that contribute to the treatment of patients and make their lives easier.

CAREER PROSPECTSYou will find employment in the research and development department of a company that specializes in biomedical equipment and solutions, or a university or (semi-) governmental health institute (e.g. Roessingh Research and Development

BIOMECHATRONICSBiomechatronics is the interdisciplinary study of biology, mechanics, electronics and control. It focuses on the research and design of assistive, therapeutic and diagnostic devices to compensate (partially) for the loss of human physiological functions or to enhance these functions.

SPECIALIZATION

A mathematical model of a system should reflect its main features. It may be represented by difference or differential equations, but also by inequalities, algebraic equations, and logical constraints.

System models are linear or non-linear. Linear models are relatively simple and convenient. However, if non-linearities play a prominent role, then important system properties may be missed by a linear model. As an example, an autopilot for an airplane to keep the plane at a fixed heading, speed and height can be designed based on a linear model; an autopilot for take-off and landing cannot. For the design of an autopilot for the airplane we can use a model, which is based on switching between a finite number of linear models. This yields so-called hybrid models and there are many challenging questions for this class of systems.

Simple system models can be studied analytically by working out mathematical equations. Simulation of the mathematical model, however, is necessary for the analysis of more complicated systems. Think for instance of a robot, or think of a big airplane, or an economical system. However, always checks using simplified analytical models are necessary: simulations alone cannot prove the correctness of the underlying system models.

By choosing and controlling inputs or, more general, by imposing additional constraints on some of the variables, the system may be influenced so as to obtain certain desired behaviour. This is the control problem. For the case of a simple linear systems, control strategies have been well developed. However, consider for example the problem of controlling the temperature in a bulk storage room. The model is given by a partial differential equation describing the temperature distribution in the storage room. A cooling device can be switched on and off (non-linearity) to control the product temperature (which reflects a continuum of quantities to control). Recently, research has been completed to design a controller that robustly controls the switching times.

HOW IS CONTROL THEORY USED?Researchers in Control Theory today develop the theories and strategies that will be used in the applications of tomorrow. But from society there is a constant pressure to invent the required theories for necessary applications today. Therefore control theory specialists also may work in larger teams working at complicated applications to provide required control solutions “on the fly”.

CAREER PROSPECTSNote that in this specialization you will be educated to be a super specialist in Systems & Control. For you as a graduate of this specialization, jobs will be available in research departments of major companies, universities and research institutes. However, also engineering agencies offer job options, which may give you the opportunity to carry out projects in a variety of companies.

CONTROL THEORYIn this specialisation the main focus is laid upon the study of the core of the Systems and Control discipline: to mathematically describe a system, to study its properties and to adapt it such that it behaves in a desired way (the control problem). So you will concentrate on mathematical theory, although practical problems are always nearby, for inspiration and application. As a student, you will be able to tailor the programme to address your own individual interests and needs.

SPECIALIZATION

As a student of the master’s programme Systems and Control you will gain a thorough background in the art of modelling and identifying systems and designing strategies to control them. In this specialisation you will additionally follow a number of courses in the field of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. During project work you will be challenged to adopt a really mechatronic attitude: to design electromechanical systems in an integrated way. You will be able to tailor the program to address your own individual interests and needs.

HOW IS ROBOTICS & MECHATRONICS USED?Robotics & Mechatronics combines knowledge of mechanical engineering, electronics and measurement and control in the design of products and processes. In this specialization you will work to improve the performance of electromechanical devices.

CAREER PROSPECTSYou can expect a career in the R&D department of a major company (Philips, ASML, Thales) or with a research group at a university. Your thorough knowledge and experience of practical applications also means you are well-suited to a position in a small or medium sized enterprise (e.g. Demcon).

ROBOTICS AND MECHATRONICSMechatronics involves a synergistic combination of mechanical engineering, electronics and measurement and control in the design of products and processes. It focuses on Mechatronic Design, which can be defined as follows: the integrated and optimal design of a mechanical system and its embedded control system. By means of an integrated design of the mechanical parts and the measurement and control system, realized in electronic circuits or as an embedded computer program, mechanical constructions can achieve superior performance and become cheaper and more flexible. Well-known examples of some years ago are the audio CD player and its successors the CD-ROM and DVD. Nowadays, automotive applications, (mobile and flying) robots, advanced production machines, systems for telemanipulation, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are examples of mechatronic systems.

SPECIALIZATION

The specialization in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles is an interdisciplinary study focused on the further development of UAVs and UAV-based services. For this purpose, the core courses on Systems and Control are complemented with various courses aimed at understanding, improving and applying advanced UAV technology. Courses on aerodynamics, flight dynamics and UAV control provide insight into UAV flight behaviour, control methods and aspects of UAV design. Sensor technologies to capture the UAV’s location and attitude and to monitor its environment will be studied. As to applications, you will discuss and develop business plans for UAV-based services as well as regulations and ethics related to the use of UAVs. The combination of developing advanced technology and discussing the limits and impact of applications of UAVs in society clearly reflects the “High Tech, Human Touch” approach of the University of Twente. You will be able to tailor the programme to address your individual interests and needs.

HOW ARE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES USED?The UAVs’ industrial and consumer market is rapidly growing and so is the need for UAV experts. This not only concerns UAV pilots, but also UAV engineers, developing new systems and applications and positioning UAV services in the market. The specialization in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles aims to educate broadly skilled engineers who complement core knowledge on systems and control with knowledge on robotics, aerodynamics, imaging technology, business models, law, and ethics.

CAREER PROSPECTSYou will find employment in research and development departments of companies developing UAVs and UAV-based services, governmental agencies developing guidelines for the use of UAVs, or universities conducting research on UAVs.

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLESIn recent years Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have amply demonstrated their value and attractiveness. The wide range of applications includes inspection, maintenance, and repair in industry, precision agriculture, mapping and surveying, aerial photography, safety and security, and traffic management. UAVs are high-tech electromechanical systems, remotely or autonomously controlled.

SPECIALIZATION

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTSApplicants for the Master’s programme should have a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized university or accredited academic institution in a discipline related to that of the Master’s programme in Systems and Control such as a Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) in Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Technology, Applied Physics or an equivalent qualification.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTSInternational students: English-language test results. Academic IELTS, overall band score of at least 6.5, or TOEFL, internet based (TOEFL-iBT) of at least 90, or Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). For the minimum CPGA of your country, please visit our Master’s website: utwente.nl/go/master/country-list

DUTCH UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESYou may need to complete a pre-Master’s programme first with a maximum of 30 credits.

For more specific admission requirements, please visit our website: utwente.nl/go/sc

ELIGIBILITY CHECKOur eligibility check is designed to assist you as a student holding a non-Dutch diploma. It will give you an indication of your eligibility to be admitted to the master’s programme Systems and Control. The check will take about five minutes to complete. Please note that this is not part of the official admission procedure. No rights can be obtained from the outcome of the eligibility check.

Check your eligibility: utwente.nl/go/sc/eligibility-check