www.sheffield.ac.uk/acse

Department of Automatic Control & Systems Engineering,preparing you for your future career.

What is systems and control engineering?

Systems and control engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to solving today’s complex technical challenges. It not only provides key enabling technology for aerospace, robotics, autonomous vehicles, manufacturing, and renewable energy, but also provides a systematic way to solve biological, medical, social, and financial system problems.

A systems and control engineer’s role is to design and develop highly sophisticated systems that integrate all key elements needed to achieve optimum performance, including electronics, software, sensors and other hardware. With unlimited imagination a systems and control engineer can revolutionise the way we interact with each other and perform everyday tasks.

We are the largest Systems and Control Engineering Department in Europe and one of the best in the world.

Our high calibre graduates are hired by world-leading companies in a wide range of sectors including Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, HSBC, BAE Systems, IBM, Shell, Siemens, and the Ministry of Defence.

Why study with us?

We are one of the most successful systems and control departments in the world and our courses are respected by employers everywhere.

Our degrees are research led and strongly informed by our world leading research and through input from our many industrial partners. You will be taught by world leaders in their chosen fields and you will gain the knowledge, understanding and skills that will enable you to make a real difference in society, now and in the future.

Our graduates are in high demand and earn substantial salaries. They work in senior positions in many different sectors and have gone on to make a significant impact in their chosen fields.

A unique place to study

We are home to the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre for Control and Health Monitoring Systems and have research contracts with major institutions like the European Space Agency.

These connections mean our teaching is based on the latest thinking.

Our facilities include two new undergraduate teaching laboratories, Natural Robotics lab and Control and Power Systems lab.

Photograph above: ACSE’s new take-home lab kit. A unique teaching platform that enhances the learning experience of our students.

Foundation yearIf you do not have the usual scientific or mathematical background for an engineering degree, a foundation year is for you. After successfully completing the foundation year, which has modules in chemistry, mathematics, and physics, you can proceed to the either the BEng or MEng Systems and Control Engineering degree.

Spend a year in industryYou can combine most of our courses with a year in industry. Working in an engineering or technology company will put your academic studies into context, improve your skills, and enhance your employment prospects when you graduate.

“I would recommend a placement year to anyone who is interested in experiencing the industrial world. It’s a great chance to develop your personal skills, meet people in industry, make good future connections and get a feel for where you would fit best.”

Zlatina Lazarova MEng Mechatronic & Robotic Engineering with Year in Industry

Systems & Control EngineeringBEng H690, YiI 8L16 | MEng H660, YiI 0G31

Mechatronic & Robotic EngineeringBEng H361, YiI 2G36 | MEng H360, YiI 2S15

Computer Systems EngineeringBEng H130, YiI 2A47 | MEng G500, YiI 8M74

Systems and control lie at the heart of most engineering. Whether you are developing the flight control system for the latest aircraft, controlling the pitch of a wind turbine or researching the future of driverless cars, engineering relies on systems and control to maximise efficiency, performance and safety whilst minimising cost.

You will learn about fundamental and advanced concepts of systems modelling, simulation, control and how to apply these to solve various engineering system performance analysis and control problems. This degree will ideally suit someone looking to specialise primarily in advanced systems and control concepts in engineering leading onto careers at, for example, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Jaguar Land Rover.

Study the integration of mechanical engineering, electronics, sensors, control, computational hardware and software in the design and development of advanced products and processes. This complex interaction and integration are needed to produce products such as unmanned aerial vehicles, search and rescue robots, advanced manufacturing, and intelligent oil drilling platforms.

Gain a solid grounding in systems and control and develop your knowledge and understanding of the different components making up complex mechatronic and robotic systems and how they interact. Our unique focus on systems engineering is widely applicable and will lead onto careers in a range of industries and companies, for example; Thales, BMW, BAE Systems or Dyson.

Adam Hartwell MEng Computer Systems EngineeringWhy did you choose ACSE?

I chose ACSE as no other university I looked at offered courses that focused on control in a general sense without attaching it to specific applications. The chance to get hands-on experience working with a large variety of systems was also a big draw.

What is your favourite module?

ACS336 Rapid Controller Prototyping because we get our own helicopter system to take away and work on, allowing us to really test our understanding of principals from other modules. Plus it’s a lot of fun to play around with the system.

Who is the most inspiring person in your field?

Palmer Luckey the founder of Oculus VR. Originally an engineer at USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies he looked at the current shape of the world and took the idea of virtual reality, widely thought to be too difficult to do convincingly, and said you know what I think I can. That ability to take emerging technology and combine it all together to achieve an idea especially in the face of adversity is truly inspiring.

Computing is at the heart of the latest developments and discoveries in engineering, healthcare, biology, neuroscience and finance and is an essential component of advanced engineering products. Whether developing advanced models of next-generation products or embedded systems for the control of advanced engineering this degree will prepare you for your future career.

You will study a variety of tools in software engineering including object oriented design, systems engineering and advanced hardware. Along with core concepts of simulation, modelling, control, and optimisation you will develop the knowledge and understanding to work in advanced computer systems. As with all of our degree programmes, graduating from this degree will prepare you for a wide range of careers.

Izza Haziqah Rosli BEng Systems & Control EngineeringWhy did you choose ACSE?

I like the fact that it is so diverse, by integrating systems, mechanical and electronics aspects into an exciting and extraordinary course. The course has given me the opportunity to choose whichever path I prefer to specialise in the future.

What is your favourite module?

I really enjoy the Systems Modelling and Simulation module. It offers a broad knowledge on the principles and behaviour of systems. Learning how systems are actually being applied in the modern world really excites me!

What is the best bit about being a University of Sheffield student?

Being a student in the University of Sheffield has been an incredible experience so far. The facilities provided are just so excellent – the 24-hour Information Commons library, the vibrant activities and events held in the Students’ Union. There are just so many amusing things to try out everyday in the give-it-a-go scheme!

All our courses (BEng/MEng) are fully accredited by the IET and InstMC.

99%* Of the class of 2013 are employed or in further study

Average annual salary after graduation is

£25k*

Excellent employment prospects

Our students are sought for their interdisciplinary and problem solving skills by employers that need technical team members for complex engineering design and analysis problems.

They are hired by control engineering, automobile, computer, aerospace, manufacturing and power companies, and government agencies.

Graduate employers include:

*Source: UNISTATS 2013 (Employment statistic taken from Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering)

“The skills and the mindset I learned at ACSE have served me incredibly well since graduation.

A true Systems Engineering degree is rare and there are few Systems Engineers in industry that have been able to benefit from the teachings of this Department.

I feel I have a huge competitive advantage in modern industry because of ACSE.”

Bobby Mason Graduate Systems Engineer in the Aerospace industry

What next?

Our graduates help shape the world we live in.

Entry Requirements

GCE/VCE A Levels

BEng MEng

BTEC L3 Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

International Baccalaureate

AAB AAA

35 points 37 points

DDD DDD

AAAB AAAA

A Levels should include Maths and Physics (or a similar subject)

English Language qualifications International students need overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Visit us at one of our open days which run throughout the year or arrange an informal visit. Contact us and we will arrange a date that is convenient for you.

For more information about courses and modules, see our online prospectus: www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate

Contact:

Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering T: +44 (0)114 222 5647 E: adacse@sheffield.ac.uk