Course Overview
This master’s qualification is inspired and driven by industry, with a strong theoretical underpinning. Concept relevance and knowledge that is critical in this fast-moving work environment has propelled the program design process. Upon completion of this program, you will gain skills and expertise in the latest developing technologies in instrumentation, process control, and industrial automation.
What you will gain from this course :
- An accredited Master of Engineering (Industrial Automation) qualification
- Deepen your technical knowledge in Industrial Automation Engineering
- Learn from industry practitioners and leading academics
- Higher earning potential
- Global professional recognition
This course is internationally recognized under the Washington Accord.
Program Details
There is a global shortage of automation, instrumentation, and control engineers due to the rapid growth of new industries and technologies.
The Master of Engineering (Industrial Automation) addresses the growth and new technologies in the Industrial Automation industry. This course offers twelve core modules and a project thesis to provide the knowledge and skills required for this industry. Students with a background in electrical, electronics, mechanical, instrumentation & control, or industrial computer systems engineering would benefit from this program as it prepares them for automation in the process and manufacturing industries.
Industrial Automation Introduction provides the fundamental knowledge that is essential in the automation area. Power Engineering covers major equipment and technologies used in power systems, including power generation, transmission and distribution networks. Programmable Logic Controllers covers in-depth principles of operation of programmable controllers, networking, distributed controllers, and program control strategies. Industrial Process Control Systems combines the process identification and feedback control design with a broad understanding of the hardware, system architectures and software techniques widely used to evaluate and implement complex control solutions.
Furthermore, Industrial Instrumentation identifies key features of widely used measurement techniques and transducers combined with microprocessor devices to create robust and reliable industrial instruments. Industrial Data Communications provides the requisite knowledge to manage modern field buses and industrial wireless systems. Safety Instrumented Systems introduces the common safety philosophy of hazard identification, risk management and risk-based design of protection methods and functional safety systems. SCADA and DCS cover hardware and software systems, evaluation of typical DCS and SCADA systems and configuration of DCS controllers. Advanced Process Control covers advanced control systems, algorithms and applications. Machine Learning for Industrial Automation provides the intelligent control basics in the automation area.
The Project Thesis, as the capstone of the course, requires a high level of personal autonomy and accountability, and reinforces the knowledge and skill base developed in the preceding subjects. As a significant research component of the course, this project will facilitate research, critical evaluation and the application of knowledge and skills with creativity and initiative, enabling students to critique current professional practice in the Industrial Automation industry.
You must complete 48 credit points comprising twelve core units and one capstone thesis. There are no electives in this program. The program duration is two years full-time. We deliver units over two semesters per year, and you will take four units per semester. There will be a short mid-semester break and extended breaks between semesters.
Teaching Periods – On-Campus : Two teaching periods per year (2 semesters of 15 weeks each per year) with 4 units taken at a time (each semester). Students will complete 8 units per year. There will be scheduled breaks between semesters and at the end of the year. Students study for 30 weeks of the year.
Year One
| Semester | Unit Code | Subjects | Credit Points |
| Semester 1 | ME500 | Industrial Automation Introduction | 3 |
| Semester 1 | ME502 | Programmable Logic Controllers | 3 |
| Semester 1 | ME503 | Industrial Process Control Systems | 3 |
| Semester 1 | ME504 | Industrial Instrumentation | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ME509 | Electrical Engineering for Industrial Automation | 3 |
| Semester 2 | MXX507 | Professional Engineering Management | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ME510 | Industrial Data Communications | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ME508 | Safety Instrumented Systems | 3 |
Year Two
| Term | Unit Code | Subjects | Credit Points |
| Semester 1 | ME605 | Machine Learning for Industrial Automation | 3 |
| Semester 1 | ME602 | SCADA and Distributed Control Systems | 3 |
| Semester 1 | ME603 | Advanced Process Control | 3 |
| Semester 1 | MXX501/601 | Engineering Practice and Key Research Methods | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ME700 | Project Thesis (taken over 1 semester) | 12 |
Additional Mandatory Units
| Semester | Unit Code | Subjects | Credit Points |
| N/A | BXX001* | Hands-on Workshop 1 | 0 |
| N/A | BXX002* | Hands-on Workshop 2 | 0 |
| N/A | BXX003* | Hands-on Workshop 3 | 0 |
| N/A | BXX004* | Hands-on Workshop 4 | 0 |
| N/A | MXX001 | Professional Practice Hands-on Workshop | 0 |
| N/A | MXX510 | Professional Experience | 0 |
*Applicable to students gaining entry under option 1) or 4) of the Entry Requirements.
Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Industrial Automation)
Students who elect to exit the program after successfully completing all of the first-year units, as outlined above, can opt to receive EIT’s Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Industrial Automation). If you wish to finalize the Master qualification after exiting at the Graduate Diploma level, you will need to re-enroll in the program and relinquish the Graduate Diploma testamur.
Rules of Progression
You can only attempt the Project Thesis once you have successfully completed all other units. All engineering disciplines are built up of individual bodies-of-knowledge that together target a specific application. It not only relies on the combined body of knowledge from the undergraduate degree, specifically mathematics, physics, and discipline knowledge, but also on the various units that form this program.
The ‘500’ level units are designed at the Australian Qualifications Framework level eight (Graduate Diploma). The knowledge from each unit allows you to be able to investigate challenging problems, analyse and synthesize complex solutions, and communicate your solutions and ideas.
This will enable successful progress to the ‘600’ level units at the Australian Qualifications Framework level nine (master’s degree). All this knowledge is brought together as you tackle complex application problems in your final thesis.
The content of each unit is designed to provide a graduated increase in knowledge and skills from the ‘500’ level units to the ‘600’ level units culminating in a Project Thesis. All units must be passed, or have exemptions, to achieve the qualification.
The Graduate Diploma of Engineering is nested within the master’s degree as an exit point only after the successful completion of all the ‘500’ level units of the program. Both qualifications have the same entry requirements. The second year of the master’s degree does not serve as an entry point.
Work-Integrated Learning
EIT’s Master of Engineering programs require students to undertake 240 hours of paid or unpaid professional work-integrated learning. This can incorporate paid or unpaid internships, site visits, contributing to industry projects, and networking activities.
In undertaking an internship, students will interact with employees and become exposed to organizational policy and culture. You will familiarise yourself with organizational communication procedures, a variety of engineering disciplines, and obtain insight and practical aptitude in projects from the planning phase to completion.
If you already have some work experience in the relevant engineering field, you may apply to have credit granted by completing the associated recognition of prior learning form.
- Investigate, analyse and present technical ideas, information and solutions on Industrial Automation problems and projects.
- Identify, critically analyse and creatively solve intellectually complex, specialised professional engineering problems in electrical engineering, safety design, instrumentation, communication, and industrial process control systems relevant to Industrial Automation.
- Use skills in established systematic design and project management methodologies, to source, analyse, synthesise, design and communicate projects and information.
- Demonstrate scientific, mathematical, design and international standards perspectives as ethical Professional Industrial Automation Engineers.
- Apply fundamental electrical engineering principles; synthesise control system strategies; evaluate hazard, risk and performing safety system design; assess modern instrumentation and control equipment; validate knowledge of industrial data communications; conduct systematic project management.
- Graduates will execute applied research projects with independent scholarship, advanced research, planning, and leadership with accountability and sound research ethos.
To gain entry into this program, applicants need one of the following:
a) a recognized 3-year bachelor degree* in an engineering qualification in a congruent** field of practice.
b) an EIT Bachelor of Science (Engineering) degree in a congruent** field of practice.
c) a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering qualification (or equivalent), that is recognized under the Washington Accord or Engineers Australia, in a congruent**, or a different field of practice at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
d) a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering qualification (or equivalent) * that is not recognized under the Washington Accord, in a congruent** field of practice to this program.
AND
An appropriate level of English Language Proficiency equivalent to an English pass level in an Australian Senior Certificate of Education, or an overall Academic IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band less than 6.0, or equivalent as outlined in the EIT Admissions Policy.
* With integrated compulsory 12-week professional industry experience, training or project work of which 6 weeks are directly supervised by a professional/eligible professional engineer as determined by EIT.
** All applicants must have evidence of automation and/or electrical exposure at undergraduate level and/or work experience. Congruent field of practice means one of the following with adequate content (fields not listed below to be considered by the Dean and the Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis):
• Industrial Automation
• Industrial Engineering
• Instrumentation, Control and Automation
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechanical and Material Systems
• Mechatronic Systems
• Manufacturing and Management Systems
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronic and Communication Systems
• Chemical and Process Engineering
English
All higher education students studying on campus must complete an English proficiency test during orientation week. If you fail the initial test, you must complete additional English language support classes. If you fail again, you will be considered a student at risk and managed in accordance with EIT’s Student at Risk Policy.
Please note: Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry to our programs. All applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
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Payment Methods
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Like all Australian higher education providers and universities, EIT programs are accredited by the exacting standards of the Australian Government’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
This master’s degree is fully accredited by Engineers Australia under the Washington Accord. It is internationally recognized under the International Engineering Alliance (IEA) accords and the various signatories.
Find out more about country-specific accreditation and professional recognition.
This course is classified as Level 9 under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Potential job roles include engineering and management positions in the following areas of expertise:
- Process control, commissioning and production management
- Plant, factory and building automation
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Distributed Control Systems (DCSs) and SCADA
- Industrial design and consultation
- Supply chain management, quality assurance, and sales
- Operations, maintenance, field services, and technical support
- Controls, instrumentation, and robotics
- Industrial project management and business development
Our master’s degrees take two years to complete. Full-time students will spend about 40 hours per week on study. This includes attending tutorials.
Applications are open for our upcoming intake. You must submit your application at least four weeks before the start date to be considered for your desired intake.
A census date is the date at which an enrolment is considered to be final. Any withdrawal you make after the study period census date will incur an academic penalty (for example, a fail grade) and a financial penalty (for example, no refund of your student contribution or tuition fees). See our current census dates.
Any student has a right to appeal a decision of the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) or any member of the institute’s staff. EIT has a comprehensive Policy on Appeals and Grievances to assist students.
