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Master'sRobotics, Automation & Control Applications open

Master’s in PLC/DCS/SCADA & Plant Operations Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in PLC, DCS, SCADA and plant operations engineering, structured in 12 modules covering PLC programming to IEC 61131-3, DCS configuration, SCADA, high-performance HMI, ISA-18.2 alarm management, industrial communications, functional safety and OT cybersecurity, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Take the controls.

Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Design automation architectures in line with ISA-95.

02

Programme PLCs using IEC 61131-3 languages.

03

Configure control strategies in DCS systems.

04

Develop SCADA systems and high-performance HMIs.

05

Manage alarms in accordance with ISA-18.2.

06

Integrate functional safety and cybersecurity in the plant.

07

Plan FAT, SAT and commissioning.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Automation engineers.
  • Control systems engineers working with PLC, DCS and SCADA platforms.
  • PLC programmers looking to broaden their view to the whole plant.
  • SCADA specialists.
  • Plant operations managers.
  • Commissioning engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the chemical industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 61131-3:2013 (programming languages for programmable controllers)
  • IEC 62264-1:2013 (enterprise-control system integration, ISA-95)
  • ISA-18.2-2016 (management of alarm systems for the process industries)
  • ISA-101.01-2015 (human machine interfaces for process automation systems)
  • IEC 61511-1:2016 (safety instrumented systems for the process industry)
  • IEC 62443-3-3:2013 (system security requirements and security levels)
  • ISA-88.01 (batch control models and terminology)
  • ISO 11064-5:2008 (ergonomic design of control centres: displays and controls)
  • Siemens TIA Portal
  • Siemens PCS 7
  • AVEVA System Platform
  • Ignition
  • CODESYS
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Automation pyramid and ISA-95
  2. 1.2Field, control and supervisory levels
  3. 1.3Differences between PLC, DCS and SCADA
  4. 1.4Instrumentation and control loops
  5. 1.5P&ID diagrams and ISA-5.1 symbols
  6. 1.6Control and information networks
  7. 1.7IT/OT convergence
  8. 1.8Platform selection criteria
  9. 1.9Industrial vendors and ecosystems
  10. 1.10Case study: architecture of a process plant
  1. 2.1CPU hardware and I/O modules
  2. 2.2Scan cycle and response times
  3. 2.3IEC 61131-3 languages
  4. 2.4Programming in Ladder and ST
  5. 2.5Function blocks and reuse
  6. 2.6Distributed I/O over Profinet
  7. 2.7Analogue signal processing
  8. 2.8Diagnostics and error handling
  9. 2.9CPU redundancy
  10. 2.10Lab: sequence programming in TIA Portal
  1. 3.1Architecture of a DCS
  2. 3.2Controllers and process modules
  3. 3.3Block-based control strategies
  4. 3.4Configuration databases
  5. 3.5Batch control according to ISA-88
  6. 3.6Redundancy and high availability
  7. 3.7Integrated alarm management
  8. 3.8Engineering on DCS platforms
  9. 3.9Migration of obsolete DCS
  10. 3.10Practical: configuring a cascade loop in a DCS
  1. 4.1Components of a SCADA system
  2. 4.2Communications with RTUs and PLCs
  3. 4.3Modbus, DNP3 and IEC 60870-5-104 protocols
  4. 4.4Screen design and navigation
  5. 4.5Trends and historical records
  6. 4.6Scripts and logic in SCADA
  7. 4.7Client-server and web architectures
  8. 4.8SCADA for water and energy networks
  9. 4.9Scalability of SCADA systems
  10. 4.10Workshop: SCADA for a pumping station
  1. 5.1ISA-101 principles
  2. 5.2Display hierarchy by levels
  3. 5.3Use of colour and greyscale
  4. 5.4Representation of trends and KPIs
  5. 5.5Operator situational awareness
  6. 5.6Control room ergonomics
  7. 5.7ISO 11064 standards
  8. 5.8Assessment of existing displays
  9. 5.9Migration to high-performance HMI
  10. 5.10Practical: redesign of a process display
  1. 6.1ISA-18.2 alarm life cycle
  2. 6.2Alarm philosophy
  3. 6.3Rationalisation and prioritisation
  4. 6.4Alarm floods and chattering alarms
  5. 6.5EEMUA 191 metrics
  6. 6.6Suppression and dynamic alarms
  7. 6.7Documentation in a master database
  8. 6.8Alarm system audit
  9. 6.9Operator response
  10. 6.10Case study: alarm rationalisation for a unit
  1. 7.1Profinet, EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP
  2. 7.2Profibus and Foundation Fieldbus
  3. 7.3HART and smart instrumentation
  4. 7.4OPC UA for integration
  5. 7.5Redundant ring topologies
  6. 7.6Design of segmented OT networks
  7. 7.7Diagnosis of industrial networks
  8. 7.8Time synchronisation in the plant
  9. 7.9WirelessHART networks
  10. 7.10Lab: Profinet network diagnosis
  1. 8.1Shifts and operating procedures
  2. 8.2Safe start-ups and shutdowns
  3. 8.3Permit-to-work management
  4. 8.4OEE and availability indicators
  5. 8.5Plant information management
  6. 8.6MES systems and integration
  7. 8.7Training with operator simulators
  8. 8.8Management of change in control
  9. 8.9Electronic operator logbooks
  10. 8.10Case study: unit start-up procedure
  1. 9.1Safety instrumented systems
  2. 9.2IEC 61511 life cycle
  3. 9.3SIL determination with LOPA
  4. 9.4Separation between BPCS and SIS
  5. 9.5Proof testing of SIFs
  6. 9.6Bypass and inhibit management
  7. 9.7Certified safety PLCs
  8. 9.8SRS documentation
  9. 9.9Functional safety audits
  10. 9.10Practical: LOPA analysis of a scenario
  1. 10.1Threats to control systems
  2. 10.2IEC 62443 series
  3. 10.3Zones and conduits
  4. 10.4Patch management in OT
  5. 10.5Secure remote access
  6. 10.6Configuration backups
  7. 10.7OT network monitoring
  8. 10.8Incident response in the plant
  9. 10.9NIS2 Directive obligations
  10. 10.10Case study: segmentation of a plant network
  1. 11.1Functional specification and FDS
  2. 11.2Signal and instrument lists
  3. 11.3Electrical cabinet engineering
  4. 11.4FAT with simulation
  5. 11.5Commissioning and SAT
  6. 11.6As-built system documentation
  7. 11.7Software version management
  8. 11.8Control system maintenance
  9. 11.9Obsolescence and life cycle
  10. 11.10Workshop: FAT test plan
  1. 12.1Process analysis and requirements
  2. 12.2Proposed control architecture
  3. 12.3Controller programming
  4. 12.4HMI and alarm development
  5. 12.5Communications and cybersecurity
  6. 12.6Simulation testing
  7. 12.7Commissioning plan
  8. 12.8Conclusions and improvements
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master'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 Siemens TIA Portal, Siemens PCS 7, AVEVA System Platform, Ignition and CODESYS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: PLC programming with simulation, alarm rationalisation and design of high-performance displays. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: IEC 61131-3:2013, IEC 62264-1:2013, ISA-18.2-2016, ISA-101.01-2015, IEC 61511-1:2016, IEC 62443-3-3:2013, ISA-88.01, ISO 11064-5:2008.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IEC 61131-3:2013, IEC 62264-1:2013 and ISA-18.2-2016 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Siemens TIA Portal, Siemens PCS 7, AVEVA System Platform, Ignition and CODESYS, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:a complete control system for a real process, from architecture and controller programming to HMI, alarms, cybersecurity and commissioning plan, 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.

Control architecture
Analyse the process and propose a PLC/DCS control architecture.
Controller programming
Programme the control logic in IEC 61131-3 and test it with simulation.
HMI and alarm design
Develop high-performance displays and a rationalised alarm system.
Communications and cybersecurity
Design the plant network with zones and conduits according to IEC 62443.
Master's Thesis
A complete plant control system with its commissioning plan, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Automation engineerControl systems engineerPLC programmerSCADA specialistPlant operations managerCommissioning 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 Siemens TIA Portal, Siemens PCS 7, AVEVA System Platform, Ignition and CODESYS, 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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