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Master’s in DCS for Continuous Processes Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in DCS engineering for continuous processes, structured in 12 modules covering DCS architecture, process instrumentation, regulatory control strategies, DCS configuration, alarm management, advanced control, safety instrumented systems and DCS migrations, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Analyse the dynamics of continuous processes.

02

Design redundant DCS architectures.

03

Select and configure process instrumentation.

04

Implement advanced regulatory control strategies.

05

Manage alarms and operations in line with standards.

06

Integrate safety instrumented systems with the DCS.

07

Plan DCS projects and migrations.

Profile

Who it's for

  • DCS engineers.
  • Process control engineers in refining, petrochemicals and chemicals.
  • Instrumentation specialists.
  • Functional safety engineers.
  • Control room managers.
  • System migration engineers handling legacy DCS replacements.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the refining sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 61511-1:2016 (safety instrumented systems for the process industry)
  • ISA-18.2-2016 (management of alarm systems for the process industries)
  • IEC 62443-2-1:2010 (security programme for industrial automation and control systems)
  • ISA-101.01-2015 (human machine interfaces for process automation systems)
  • IEC 60534-2-1:2011 (flow capacity sizing equations for control valves)
  • IEC 61804-3:2015 (electronic device description language, EDDL)
  • EEMUA 191 (alarm systems: guide to design, management and procurement)
  • Directive 2014/34/EU (equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres, ATEX)
  • Honeywell Experion PKS
  • Emerson DeltaV
  • ABB System 800xA
  • Yokogawa CENTUM VP
  • AVEVA Dynamic Simulation
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1. Characteristics of continuous processes
  2. 1.2. Dynamics of processes with dead time
  3. 1.3. Mass and energy balances
  4. 1.4. Typical unit operations
  5. 1.5. Critical process variables
  6. 1.6. P&ID diagrams and loops
  7. 1.7. Control objectives in the plant
  8. 1.8. Interaction between units
  9. 1.9. Examples in refining and chemicals
  10. 1.10. Case study: loop analysis of a unit
  1. 2.1. Engineering and operator stations
  2. 2.2. Redundant process controllers
  3. 2.3. I/O modules and marshalling
  4. 2.4. Electronically configurable I/O
  5. 2.5. Control buses and networks
  6. 2.6. Historian servers
  7. 2.7. Integration with safety systems
  8. 2.8. Vendors: Experion, DeltaV, 800xA
  9. 2.9. Sizing a DCS
  10. 2.10. Practical: DCS architecture of a plant
  1. 3.1. Flow, level and pressure measurement
  2. 3.2. Temperature measurement
  3. 3.3. Online analysers
  4. 3.4. Control valves and positioners
  5. 3.5. Valve sizing to IEC 60534
  6. 3.6. HART protocol and diagnostics
  7. 3.7. Foundation Fieldbus and Profibus PA
  8. 3.8. Instrument asset management
  9. 3.9. Instrumentation in ATEX zones
  10. 3.10. Lab: HART configuration of a transmitter
  1. 4.1. PID loop tuning
  2. 4.2. Lambda and SIMC methods
  3. 4.3. Cascade control
  4. 4.4. Ratio and feedforward control
  5. 4.5. Override and selective control
  6. 4.6. Split-range control
  7. 4.7. Dead-time compensation
  8. 4.8. Averaging level control
  9. 4.9. Loop decoupling
  10. 4.10. Workshop: loop tuning on a simulator
  1. 5.1. Control function blocks
  2. 5.2. Control modules and templates
  3. 5.3. Interlock logic
  4. 5.4. Sequences and phase control
  5. 5.5. Mode and state management
  6. 5.6. Equipment libraries
  7. 5.7. Configuration change management
  8. 5.8. Online and offline downloads
  9. 5.9. Automatic documentation generation
  10. 5.10. Practical: pump control module
  1. 6.1. High-performance operator interface
  2. 6.2. ISA-18.2 alarm management
  3. 6.3. Alarm rationalisation
  4. 6.4. Automated operating procedures
  5. 6.5. Shift and handover management
  6. 6.6. Training simulators
  7. 6.7. Operator performance indicators
  8. 6.8. Human factors in control rooms
  9. 6.9. Abnormal situation management
  10. 6.10. Case study: alarm flood analysis
  1. 7.1. Multivariable predictive control
  2. 7.2. Soft sensors and inferentials
  3. 7.3. Unit optimisation
  4. 7.4. Integration of APC with the DCS
  5. 7.5. Product quality control
  6. 7.6. Loop monitoring
  7. 7.7. Benefits of advanced control
  8. 7.8. APC maintenance
  9. 7.9. Distillation and furnace cases
  10. 7.10. Lab: quality inferential with regression
  1. 8.1. IEC 61511 life cycle
  2. 8.2. HAZOP and risk analysis
  3. 8.3. SIL determination
  4. 8.4. Design of instrumented functions
  5. 8.5. PFD calculation
  6. 8.6. SIS and DCS integration
  7. 8.7. Proof testing of functions
  8. 8.8. Bypass management
  9. 8.9. Functional safety audits
  10. 8.10. Practical: PFD calculation for a SIF
  1. 9.1. Process historians
  2. 9.2. Balances and data reconciliation
  3. 9.3. Production dashboards
  4. 9.4. Integration with MES and ERP
  5. 9.5. LIMS laboratory management
  6. 9.6. Process data analysis
  7. 9.7. Regulatory and environmental reports
  8. 9.8. Data quality
  9. 9.9. Information cybersecurity
  10. 9.10. Case study: balance reconciliation
  1. 10.1. Secure architectures according to IEC 62443
  2. 10.2. Segmentation of control networks
  3. 10.3. Account and access management
  4. 10.4. Antivirus and whitelisting
  5. 10.5. DCS patch management
  6. 10.6. Backup and recovery
  7. 10.7. Anomaly monitoring
  8. 10.8. Continuity plans
  9. 10.9. Supplier management
  10. 10.10. Workshop: DCS recovery plan
  1. 11.1. Phases of a DCS project
  2. 11.2. Functional system specification
  3. 11.3. Integrated FAT
  4. 11.4. Commissioning and start-up
  5. 11.5. Migration of legacy systems
  6. 11.6. Hot cutover and shutdowns
  7. 11.7. Operator training
  8. 11.8. Obsolescence management
  9. 11.9. Contracting and scope
  10. 11.10. Case study: DCS migration plan
  1. 12.1. Description of the continuous process
  2. 12.2. Proposed control strategies
  3. 12.3. Configuration in a DCS or simulator
  4. 12.4. Alarm and HMI design
  5. 12.5. Associated safety functions
  6. 12.6. Testing and dynamic simulation
  7. 12.7. Analysis of results
  8. 12.8. Conclusions and recommendations
  9. 12.9. Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10. Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Honeywell Experion PKS, Emerson DeltaV, ABB System 800xA, Yokogawa CENTUM VP and AVEVA Dynamic Simulation, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: configuration of control strategies in the DCS, loop tuning with a dynamic simulator and PFD calculation for instrumented functions. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: IEC 61511-1:2016, ISA-18.2-2016, IEC 62443-2-1:2010, ISA-101.01-2015, IEC 60534-2-1:2011, IEC 61804-3:2015, EEMUA 191, Directive 2014/34/EU.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IEC 61511-1:2016, ISA-18.2-2016 and IEC 62443-2-1:2010 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Honeywell Experion PKS, Emerson DeltaV, ABB System 800xA, Yokogawa CENTUM VP and AVEVA Dynamic Simulation, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:the control strategies, DCS configuration, alarms, HMI and safety functions for a real continuous process, tested by dynamic simulation and defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Process and loop analysis
Describe the continuous process and analyse its critical loops.
Control strategy design
Propose regulatory and advanced control strategies for the unit.
DCS configuration
Configure the strategies, alarms and HMI in a DCS or simulator.
Safety functions and testing
Define the associated SIFs and test the solution by dynamic simulation.
Master's Thesis
A complete DCS solution for a continuous process, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

DCS engineerProcess control engineerInstrumentation specialistFunctional safety engineerControl room managerSystem migration engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Honeywell Experion PKS, Emerson DeltaV, ABB System 800xA, Yokogawa CENTUM VP and AVEVA Dynamic Simulation, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent professional experience, plus English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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