Bachelor’s degree
Process automation technology

Networking digitalisation and the process industry

Process automation is an integral part of procedural processes as well as chemical plants. From complex technical processes such as refining petroleum into petrol or synthesising plastics to brewing beer, the control of these is an important element today. Core topics are interrelationships of automation technology and especially its application to chemical processes and plants, as well as the conception of regulation and control. One focus is on new approaches to digitalisation, such as the use of Big Data to avoid seasonal fluctuations in product quality, for example, as well as the networking of systems. Computer practicals form the basis for learning advanced programming for control and process control technology.
The Process Automation Technology degree programme was designed together with experts from industry. In close cooperation with industrial companies located in the region, laboratory practicals and practical project trials form an essential part of the curriculum.

Students receive a sound basic education in engineering with fundamentals in chemistry as well as process and plant engineering.
The focus of the degree programme is on process control engineering with measurement, control and regulation technology. Important sub-areas are plant technology and plant simulation. Automation technology thus forms the interface between the disciplines. Computer practicals form the basis of learning advanced programming for new digitalisation approaches. Laboratory practicals and practical project experiments form another essential part of the curriculum.

In the higher semesters, aspects of digitalisation such as big data approaches and methods of process optimisation are covered. The safety technology of plants opens up another field of application. Interdisciplinary topics such as management and innovation round off the study programme. By choosing in-depth modules, students can set individual focal points, broaden their interdisciplinary perspective and acquire additional qualifications, e.g. in the field of management. Thanks to good contacts and cooperation with industry in the ChemDelta, students receive a practical and needs-oriented education. During the practical semester, students put the knowledge and skills they have acquired into practice.

Based on profound knowledge of automation technology with links to systems, process and process engineering as well as networked and safety-oriented control systems, digitalisation and applied computer science, process automation engineers are called upon for automation tasks in the process industry (especially the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries). As system control engineers with cross-sectional competence, they can solve the following questions, for example:

• How is a process plant regulated and controlled?
• How can processes be optimised based on larger amounts of data?
• What opportunities does the networking of digitalisation and process technology offer?
• Which sensor is needed for which measurement task?
• How are safety devices for process plants planned?

Graduates of the process automation technology degree programme have access to the following career fields, among others:

• Process control engineering
• Plant control room manager
• Project engineer for automation
• Project management
• Simulation engineer
• Safety Engineer