The Department conducts level I and level II degree studies, mainly in the field of Automatic Control and Robotics. It also runs classes for other study fields: Electronics and Telecommunications – in Digital Technology, and Informatics – in Logic Networks.
Level I degree studies in the field of Automatic Control and Robotics last seven semesters and are completed with a graduation engineering project presented by a student. The first four semesters encompass core compulsory courses (general and closely connected with the field of study) such as metrology, digital technology, electronic systems, the fundamentals of robotics, sensors and measuring converters. On the syllabus of semester 5 and 6 there are blocks of elective courses within two available study lines: Automatic Control, and Decision Systems. In semester 6 students choose a graduation profile correlated with the field of study and the subject of the engineering project and dissertation.
Within the Automatic Control study line the core courses are: languages of modelling and simulation, mechatronics, organization of computer systems, signal processors and programmable logic, power electronics and electric drive control, mobile robots, machine vision in automatic control and robotics, and intelligent building automation systems. The graduation project is carried out in semester 7. The topics are provided by both academic teachers and students. As the projects are usually time-consuming, it is a standard practice to do them in two-person teams.
Among the most interesting topics of the engineering projects are: “Sumo Robot Software”, “BIOLOID Parallel Kinematics Platform – onstruction and Control”, “Four-Propeller Autonomous Flying Vehicle – Model, Construction, Control”, “Software for a Laboratory Station Utilising a SATEL Integra Alarm Unit”.
A graduate engineer of Automatic Control and Robotics, specializing in Automatic Control Systems, will find employment in various branches of industry that involve utilizing, launching and designing automatic control and robotics systems for numerous applications. The person is skilled at programming general-purpose computers and digital controllers, linking them to various peripheral devices, and integrating complex engineering systems to carry out practical tasks. The person is also ready to take up level II degree studies.
Level II degree studies in the field of Automatic Control and Robotics in the Automatic Control Systems specialization last three semesters and are completed with defending a Master’s dissertation. The aim of the studies is to expand and broaden the students’ knowledge of the new methods of control theory, robotics and the theory of signals and systems. Among the courses taught in the pecialization are: adaptive and predictive control, fuzzy control, random processes and stochastic control, process identification, computer-controlled systems, real time operation systems and automation of technological processes.
In addition to the major courses, students choose one of the complementary specializations offered by the Faculty and participate in a group roject where they acquire the invaluable ability to work in a team. The projects’ topics are often closely linked to the demand of businesses both from the Tricity and from overseas. For example, during a three-year cooperation with MedicWave, a Swedish bioengineering firm, our students completed six group and one engineering project.
A graduate Master of Engineering ajoring in Automatic Control is well equipped to address complex interdisciplinary problems of automation and robotics, possesses knowledge and skills in designing, launching and utilizing automatic control and robotics systems and has good understanding of real processes control in various branches of industry. During level I and II degree studies, students apply their theoretical knowledge in modern laboratories, of which the most important are:
Laboratory of Computer Automation Systems,
Laboratory of Mobile Robots,
Laboratory of Robot Collaboration,
Laboratory of Intelligent Spaces.
In the Laboratory of Computer Automation Systems control algorithms can be implemented and tested for effectiveness in trials involving physical models of complex systems such as an anchored helicopter or a robot manipulator.
In the Laboratory of Mobile Robots students design, construct and program an own mobile robot engineered to perform a particular task. They also design groups of collaborating wireless mobile robots.
The Laboratory of Robot Collaboration is equipped with two industrial Mitsubishi and Kawasaki robots. Students learn the principles of operation and the rules of programming industrial robots as well as create applications to facilitate cooperation of robots operating in shared workspace.
In the Laboratory of Intelligent Spaces classes in intelligent building automation systems and SCADA systems in building automation are held. It is equipped with advanced controllers, freely configurable or freely programmable, used to control the systems of building automation. Here students test their lectures based knowledge by doing their own projects and implementing them in model buildings available inside the laboratory.
The students of Automatic Control and Robotics, enthusiasts of robots, work in the Scientific Circle of Students of Automatic Control SKAR, where they carry out their innovative projects. They are, for example, autonomous mobile robots, constructed and programmed by students, annually participating in national and international MiniSumo competitions, and mobile robots built of MindStorms Lego blocks which take part in national robot tournaments every year. Problems of robot cooperation are studied and solved with robots playing soccer. In addition to pursuing their hobbies, SKAR members strive to popularize automatic control and robotics not only among the students of secondary schools and other university faculties, but also among the Tricity citizens. Special open scientific events are organized, for example, competitions and workshops for children and teenagers during the Baltic Festival of Science and Robot Days.
SKAR is also a breeding ground for business talents. In 2006, five members of the circle were awarded first prize in the Swallows Entrepreneurship Competition in the category “Best Business Plan Bringing Gdańsk University of Technology Closer to Economy”
