Study Guide

Descriptions

STUDY OBJECTIVES
Automation engineering studies at SeAMK are designed to meet the future requirements of industry. In addition to traditional automation engineering capabilities, students get involved with computer science and programming. SeAMK School of Technology is known for the research and development in the field of Industrial Internet and Digital Manufacturing, which are also included in our education.

The studies include common studies for all SeAMK students regarding international working and communication skills, entrepreneurship, and research project skills. The common studies at the School of Technology provide students with necessary basic skills of English, Swedish, mathematics and physics. Professional studies contain basic automation engineering and computer science courses, after which it is possible to focus on various modules to deepen one’s knowledge. These modules contain, for example, information technology, business studies, and industrial internet. The degree will be finalized with two practical training periods and a thesis – all of which are typically carried out as real life assignments for local companies.

Sustainable development and environmental values are playing an increasingly important role in today’s industry.
Automation technology and digitalization enable the creation of increasingly energy-efficient solutions through optimization and artificial intelligence.

LANGUAGE INFORMATION
The degree program is taught completely in English.

STUDY CONTENTS
During the first year the studies will cover predominantly the common studies of SeAMK and the School of Technology focusing on building students’ abilities to study and work in an international and entrepreneurial environment, but there will also be some basic level professional studies to ensure students get the flavor of automation engineering as soon as possible.
The second year will continue with some common studies, while adding the amount of more professional studies, including the first professional modules. Students will also start to work on their first project studies. Starting from the second year it is possible to choose some elective courses like production simulation or computer aided manufacturing.
The third year will deepen the professional studies to ensure students are ready for their first practical training that will take place at the end of the third year. At this stage students are predominantly concentrating on professional studies utilizing laboratories and doing assignments given by local companies within the courses.
The fourth year finalizes the remainder of the professional modules, lets students to build their career opportunities during the second practical training and closes the studies with the thesis. Quite often the practical training converts naturally into a thesis workplace, ensuring the researching of modern-day industrial challenges with full support from both the company and our university of applied sciences.

CHOOSING A MAIN SUBJECT OF FIELD OF SPECIALIZATION
All students study the core courses in automation engineering and computer science. Modules within the degree program include Production automation, Design of electrical systems, Process automation, Industrial internet, Information technology and Electronics. On top of the module structure, elective professional studies are available.

THESIS
The aim of the Bachelor’s thesis is that students are able to apply the theoretical knowledge they have acquired during their studies in their own research. The thesis is ideally commissioned by a company or organization, often the one in which the practical training took place. During the thesis process, students learn problem-solving, project work, scientific thinking, independent information retrieval, and reporting research results. The thesis process also allows students to be creative, and to experiment and use innovative applications.

PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH
Teaching in the Degree Programme in Automation Engineering emphasises hands-on learning. This means that we combine theoretical information with practical skills for the working world in modern technology laboratories. Students experience great moments of insight doing a diverse range of assignments in our laboratories. The equipment and the software in our laboratories is the same used in the working world. This allows students to routinely solve practical problems and acquire the readiness they need to work in the field. Moreover, designing, automating and using machines and devices with a team is fun. The learning takes into account the learner’s prior knowledge and interpretations and helps them link the new learning material to their previous knowledge and experiences (socio-constructivism).

In addition to skills in problem solving, the working world requires that employees are able to work with others and commit themselves to life-long learning. For this reason, teaching involves much group work and working in pairs. There are also visits by experts in the field, various assignments, projects, visits to various companies and trade fairs, as well as practical training in authentic working environments.

The curriculum includes five seams permeating through the studies and extending over them. They are based on SeAMK’s reports, studies and strategy, as well as on the national and international recommendations and regulations related to education provided by universities of applied sciences.

• The Information Search seam strengthens the student’s professional and field-specific information search skills throughout the studies.
• The Internationalization seam secures the improvement of the student’s international competencies during their studies. Home internationality is strengthened by utilizing scientific articles and our international partners in our theory studies. Intensive weeks create more opportunities for internationalization at home.
• The studies corresponding to the Entrepreneurship seam help the student understand the central and growing role of entrepreneurship in society.
• The Sustainable Development seam makes the student aware of social responsibility and helps them understand the diversity of sustainable development as a working life skill. Sustainable development is taken into account in different ways throughout the studies (ecological, social, cultural and economic sustainability).
• The seam of Career Guidance helps the student recognise their competencies and own strengths. It also includes working life knowledge, job search skills, and lifelong learning.

OCCUPATIONAL PROFILES
Jobs for professionals possessing numerous areas of expertise do not rest with just one employer. Our diverse training in the fields of automation, electricity and IT opens up new job opportunities in a world that ever-increasingly depends on technology. For this reason, the job situation for automation engineers is excellent on both the national and international levels. Job titles include designer, technical expert, production manager, sales manager, purchasing manager, etc. Graduates may also work in teaching and as independent entrepreneurs.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
A degree in automation engineering offers a lot of career opportunities . Our students have found various careers in the field of production, project management, quality, sales, research and development, supply chain management, and many have even found their career within education or as an entrepreneur. SeAMK is known for its entrepreneurial approach to studies, and our university of applied sciences offers great platforms for future business owners.

Further information

INTERNATIONALIZATION

The degree program offers a lot of opportunities for internationalization. Multinational student groups and visiting lecturers from partner institutions allow internationalization at home. The large international network of SeAMK provides a possibility for a mobility study period or practical training abroad.

CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER PARTIES
Students can profit from our double degree program at our partner institution, Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences of, in Germany.

Many different companies which co-operate with SeAMK can be found in the Frami campus area. This makes the area an inspirational study place with high technology solutions and synergy from various branches of science located in the area.
The partner companies also contribute to project works, laboratory assignments and even laboratory equipment to ensure the study environment is state of the art and meets the requirements of the industry.

POST GRADUATE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
Students who have completed the Bachelor’s degree in automation engineering are eligible to continue with the second-cycle higher education studies (Master programs). For starting Master-level degree programs at Finnish universities of applied sciences two years' work experience in the field of technology is also required.