Bachelor's Degree Programme in Electrical and Automation Engineering
Key learning outcomes
After graduating from the degree programme in electrical and automation engineering, you are able to design, implement and maintain electrical and automation systems in different fields. Your competence in mathematics, physics and IT helps you understand how different systems work, perform calculations and analyse data. You can utilise ICT in your daily work and have good basic electrical skills. Communication and language skills help you communicate effectively with different stakeholder, present your ideas and solutions clearly, and work in multicultural teams.
By specialising in automation engineering, you learn to design the automation, measurements, controls, adjustments and user interfaces in production lines and company products. You are familiar with the different levels of automation implementation in an industrial plant and the key sub-processes of industry. You are able to plan and implement steering systems and assess different alternatives for steering and adjustment solutions. You gain expertise in programmable logic, fieldbuses, factory networks, distributed digital automation systems, PC-based systems and user interfaces. You are able to use robotics and machine vision to create solutions for automating and improving production efficiency. You understand the key design tools that you can use to design applications for control objects. You are familiar with the principles and practices of field equipment, automation and instrument electrical design standards. You learn how to use and programme laboratory equipment that is similar to industrial equipment. In addition, you understand the importance of automation in promoting sustainable development and know how to use automation to save resources, improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and promote the circular economy.
By specialising in electrical engineering, you learn to master the calculation and measuring methods used in design and the use of design tools and you understand the different stages of the electrical design process. You gain electrical engineering expertise at industrial, real estate and distribution network sites. You know how to apply the standards used in planning and create the documentation according to them. You understand the operating principles of the most common electrical machinery, hardware and equipment and can choose environmentally friendly and energy-efficient alternatives. You have the skills to measure and choose electrical systems while taking the technical economic perspective into account. You understand the basic structure, operating principle, protection methods, tasks of network components and power generation technologies of the electricity transmission and distribution network. You are also aware of the importance of electrical safety regulations and standards and are able to apply them in your work. You know how to make connections, take electrical measurements and configure devices. You are aware of the importance of electrical engineering in promoting sustainable development and are able to utilise renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, in electricity production, and influence the efficient use of electricity, for example through load management.
After completing your studies, you have good skills for the continuous development of your competence, diverse communication, and information retrieval. You also have the capacity to work in an international work environment and as an entrepreneur.
Education content and professional growth and know-how
You can build an individual study path based on your interests in the degree programme in electrical and automation engineering. You can choose whether to specialise in electrical or automation engineering, and with elective vocational studies, you strengthen your competence in your preferred field. The first year mainly includes basic studies, natural sciences and general working life skills. You choose a specialisation at the end of the first year, after which the studies start to focus more on professional themes. In the last year, the focus is on professional subjects selected according to your specialisation.
Basic studies in mathematics, physics, IT, electrical engineering and automation engineering are compulsory for everyone. In basic studies in electrical engineering, you study circuit calculations, electrical power technology and electronics. Electrical safety is part of the studies right from the start. Basic studies in IT include programming, information systems, and information network technology. The basic studies in automation technology include the basics of logic programming as well as measurement, adjustment and process technology. These basic studies provide you with a good foundation to increase your professional competence in your preferred area.
During the application design courses for the automation specialisation, you learn about system entities that are used, for example, to control production lines and industrial plants. For those in the design specialisation, automation equipment and electrical instrumentation design. If you wish, you can select studies that focus on the utilisation of robotics and machine vision in industry.
During the studies in the electrical engineering specialisation, you focus on the different stages of the design process and on the use of design methods and tools. The design site may be an industrial plant, a property or a distribution network. You also familiarise yourself with various smart electrical systems that enable the efficient use of renewable energy and controlling the use of electricity.
Elective professional studies include studies in robotics, data analytics or cyber security.
Some of the studies can be completed abroad in a student exchange. International competence can be accumulated by completing some of the studies as part of the international Automation and Robotics degree programme.
Flexible studies
The degree can be completed as full-time studies or part-time studies. When completing it as full-time studies, the teaching mainly takes place on campus and to some extent also online. The studies take place at a specific time and place. In part-time learning, the studies mainly take place online. Approximately every three weeks, laboratory work or other study performances require your attendance on the campus. Some of the studies take place at a specific time and some you can study at your own schedule. Part-time studies require more independent work from the student.
You can choose your alternative or elective studies from EduFutura partner institutions (University of Jyväskylä and Gradia) and international studies from European EUDRES higher education institutions. You can also choose from Finnish and foreign partner universities, such as other universities of applied sciences and universities. You can apply for accreditation of higher education studies that you have completed elsewhere.
Working life oriented learning
Laboratory environments in electrical and automation engineering play a key role in studying, since what has been learned can be applied in practice there. Students work in laboratories using the equipment and environments that will be used in future work tasks. The practical training, thesis and various working life projects (e.g. Jamk Future Factory®) help achieve a very working life-oriented operating model. Studification is also an opportunity for working life-orientated learning. It means combining work, project studies and studies. You draw up a studification plan and document it as agreed with the teacher.
Career opportunities and employment
Automation and electrical engineering is a rapidly developing sector. New types of competence are needed all the time. The field is also strongly linked to the ICT sector and its development.
The automation of industrial production lines is constantly increasing. Various robotics and machine vision solutions are constantly increasing. Automation is used for the control of production lines, industrial plants, properties, vehicles and transport equipment, and tools and machinery, among other uses. Experts in automation systems are needed, for example, in the steering and supervision of industrial processes. The use of control systems in buildings is constantly increasing. As an automation engineer, your work tasks may include the procurement, definition and design of systems and equipment as well as product development, programming, and operation and maintenance tasks.
Smart electrical networks, decentralised energy production, energy-efficient solutions and increased use of electricity in transport are the future. There is plenty of work for experts in electrical systems and equipment and various measurement systems. For example, electrical engineering is needed for distribution networks, industrial environments or properties. Electrical engineers must be familiar with various electrical engineering products (motors, transformers) and components. Electrical safety and standardisation competence are essential. As an electrical engineer, your work tasks include electrical engineering, product development, operating and maintenance tasks, research and monitoring, and operation management.
After graduation, you might work at a production plant in the process industry, at a workshop, equipment supplier, power plant or design office. Your tasks may also include management and administration, sales and marketing, technical purchasing, customer service or training and consulting. You will often work in international projects, initially as a member of a project group and with sufficient experience, as a leader of a project group. Your work will include a lot of team work, meetings and often also travel. Key skills include problem-solving and interaction skills, customer service orientation and language skills. Monitoring the development of the sector, adopting new things and the ability to operate in international environments are essential.
Qualifications
The certificate of electrical qualification 1 entitles the holder to work as a supervisor of electrical work and operation in all electrical installations, excluding the installation, repair and maintenance of lifts. The precondition for obtaining the certificate is that the applicant demonstrates that they meet the necessary requirements in electrical training and work experience and has passed an electrical safety qualification. During the degree programme, it is possible to complete studies that meet the requirements laid down in sections 3 and 4 of the Government decree (1435/2016) for a qualification in electrical work.
Further studies
You may, after graduating and gaining at least two years of work experience, apply for a master's degree level education. You can continue your studies by applying for e.g. Master's degree programmes in universities, vocational teacher education or Master's degree programmes abroad. The university of applied sciences offers opportunities for competence development in various institutes, such as the open university of applied sciences, specialisation training and work-oriented continuing education.
Education planning
The planning of the education focuses on taking the needs of local companies in the field into account and responding to them. The content of the education is adjusted to meet the current and future needs of companies, for example through advisory board work. Alumni and students have also been consulted in the curriculum work. Various reports containing future forecasts have also been taken into account in the planning. The changing global environment also places its own marginal conditions on the content of education, and thus, for example, sustainable development themes are more visible in education and its objectives.
Contact Information
Hukari Sirpa
Senior Lecturer
+358144499686
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi