Automation Engineering

Automation engineers design and develop automated machines and software for the manufacturing processes responsible for making and delivering products. Through the implementation of automation technologies, they improve productivity, energy, and cost efficiency. Unlike other types of engineering, automation engineering requires the ability to be proficient in a variety of technical areas — automation engineers are the bridge between mechanics, electricity, and electronics.

Use technology to integrate and automate various manufacturing processes
Develop, test, and implement new equipment in a process automation
Creates connections between a physical manufacturing process and its controls.

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates will be employed as a automation engineer, or engineer, scientist, or professional in a degree-related field, or pursue full-time graduate or professional studies;
Graduates will apply their knowledge, skills, critical thinking and creativity to identify, analyze, and solve problems during the design, development, implementation and improvement phases of projects;
Graduates will communicate effectively, excel at interdisciplinary collaboration, and exhibit ethical behavior, professionalism and a respect for diversity as they pursue a career in industry;
Graduates will pursue lifelong learning to stay abreast of emerging technological challenges and opportunities, as well as regulatory developments and ethical concerns

Program Criteria

Applying principles of mechanical and electrical engineering, calculus-based physics, mathematics (through differential equations) and statistics
Modelling automation processes by applying fundamentals of automation and control engineering
Solving automation engineering problems in a manufacturing sector
Analyzing, modeling, designing, and realizing automation engineering systems, components, or processes
Collecting measurements, processing, and interpreting data from functional automation systems

Student Outcomes

An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies