Basics of automation technology (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

You understand the significance of automation for industry and know the various levels of automation applications in an industrial plant. You know the operating principles applied in control technology and can design and implement a simple control system utilizing typical hardware structures, connection and data transfer solutions, and programming tools.

EA-KW Knowledge and understanding
The learning process should enable Bachelor Degree graduates to demonstrate:
knowledge and understanding of mathematics and other basic sciences underlying
their engineering specialisation, at a level necessary to achieve the other programme
learning outcomes

EA-EC Engineering practice
ability to analyse complex engineering products, processes and systems, and to
correctly interpret the outcomes of such analyses, by being able to select and
having the practical skills to apply relevant established analytical, computational
and experimental techniques and methods

Content

In this course, you will learn basic automation solutions and learn to implement a simple automation system through hardware specification and programming. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of automation technology, providing a foundation for more in-depth studies in future courses. You will learn to select appropriate equipment solutions for simple automation tasks and create suitable control and regulation applications using programmable logic controllers. This course equips you with the essential knowledge and skills to succeed in automation technology studies.

Field devices
Programmable logics
Automation systems
Programming tools

Materials

Kuphaldt, Tony R. 2019. Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation. Under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License -network material. https://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/socratic/sinst/book/liii.pdf

Teaching methods

Problem-based learning is used as a learning method. Learning takes place through independently performed and returned learning tasks.

Exam schedules

Spring 2026

Student workload

Total 135 h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Adequate (1): You understand the basics and terminology, but you have shortcomings in perceiving the key issues. You can implement simple device controls with support.

Satisfactory (2): You understand the basics and terminology, but you have shortcomings in the application of key issues. However, you will be able to satisfactorily implement the basic controls of the automation circuits.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3): You know the basic components of automation technology and are able to make holistically justified choices between them. You understand very different connections of automation circuits. You know how to use the programming environment so well that you can make a working application and modify existing larger programs according to good practices. You know how to use tools well for monitoring and simulating a program and are able to locate simple faults in your system.

Very good (4): You master the key issues and are able to apply them in a variety of ways in the practical implementation of various automation circuits. Your view of systems is so strong that you can outline even alternative solutions.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5): You master key issues and are able to apply them creatively from system entities to the field device level. You can make a critical comparison between solution options.

Qualifications

Basics of digital technology (notations, Boolean algebra)

Further information

Self-assessments are mainly done through learning tasks. The assessment decision is based on the exercises and the skills demonstrated in the exam.