Automation and Information Engineering in Chemistry and Food Industry

Graduate Profile

Knowledge

Graduate of the study program Automation and Information Engineering in Chemistry and Food Industry: ● has advanced knowledge of the theory of automatic control, can design feedback control of one-dimensional and multidimensional continuous and discrete systems in the state and input-output domain ● has advanced knowledge of managing specific unit processes in chemistry and food technology ● can formulate the problem of optimal control, including different types of objective functions and constraints, based on various practical problems in industrial practice ● knows the concept of prediction based on a dynamic model and its role in systems control ● knows the basic types of uncertainties and can analyze the robust stability of systems with structured uncertainties ● masters the basics of modeling and control of fuzzy systems ● masters the principles of creating mathematical models of complex processes in the process industry, namely continuous processes with distributed parameters, continuous and batch processes ● can formulate and mathematically describe material and energy balances for processes with heat transfer, processes with chemical reaction, processes with mass transfer ● can mathematically describe the kinetics of chemical reactions, heat transfer, mass transfer ● can create a dynamic mathematical model of a process in the nonlinear state-space form, the linear state-space form, in the form of partial differential equations or in a form of set of ordinary differential equations ● has knowledge of the basics of system identification and data science ● can estimate process parameters from experimental input-output data based on transient and frequency characteristics, apply regression methods and their recursive variants ● has knowledge of the components of automated control systems ● knows the types and principle of operation of sensors and actuators and knows which sensors and actuators are suitable for which applications and what conditions ● masters basic information standards: flowcharts for the description of processes and algorithms; process diagrams (PFD, P&ID, LD, SAMA) for description of components and instruments of process productions ● has a basic overview of the operation of distributed control systems, SCADA systems, and advanced programming skills of Siemens SIMATIC logic controllers, design and implementation of control algorithms for industrial applications, as well as the design of operator process screens ● has knowledge of the basic principles of industrial processes of distillation, extraction, absorption, air treatment and drying and the use of knowledge from balancing, thermodynamics of multiphase systems and the theory of material transfer for the calculation of separation of simple mixtures ● can conduct the material and energy balance of these processes and design the basic parameters of simple distillation, absorption and extraction equipment ● has knowledge of the properties of the air - water vapor system and can design air conditioning processes for its application in the drying process ● masters the working principles of numerical optimization methods based on gradients and Hess matrices ● can formulate engineering optimization tasks in terms of objective function and constraints. Masters the principles of choosing the most appropriate algorithm to solve a specific task ● understands the principles of deterministic and stochastic optimization algorithms, their main advantages and weaknesses ● has knowledge of the preparation of scientific types of documents, both WYSIWYG and transformation type ● masters the basics of solving difference equations, functional analysis and variational calculus ● can search for extremals of functionals and apply the acquired knowledge in control theory ● speaks technical and professional English

Skillset

Graduate of the study programme Automation and Information Engineering in Chemistry and Food Industry:

• can solve practical problems of industrial automation of chemical and food industry in its whole complex structure,
• can apply modeling techniques and control theory to processes in chemistry and food technology, such as storage tanks, heat exchangers, chemical reactors or rectification columns,
• has the ability to work in a team to design solutions, manage tasks and work together to solve problems,
• can use a combination of his/her theoretical knowledge and practical skills from various subjects of engineering studies focused on the design and implementation of process control in industrial conditions,
• can apply optimization and predictive control in the chemical, biotechnology and food industries,
• can work with web programming languages and databases,
• masters the tools used to manage source code versions, gained knowledge of decentralized architecture, GIT tool, advanced file processing and management,
• masters the basics of data science tools,
• can use Matlab, Yalmip and optimization solvers for automatic control, modeling and identification tasks,
• knows the use of programmable logic controllers (PLC) and can design programs for control systems,
• has practical skills in electrical engineering for automation and can electrically connect and configure sensors, actuators, PLCs, convert / modify signals, and diagnose faults,
• can apply HMI design rules to ensure high operator performance and operational safety,
• masters the LaTeX document processing tool, can batch generate various presentation and print output formats from it,
• can apply in practice the theoretical and methodological knowledge acquired during his/her university studies,
• has verified his/her knowledge and professional orientation. He/she knows the possibilities of his/her career prospects in practice,
• can process bibliographic information, cite literary sources

Competencies

Graduate of the study programme Automation and Information Engineering in Chemistry and Food Industry:

• is independent in solving professional tasks, projects and in coordination of partial activities,
• is able to independently and creatively solve complex projects, with regard to its professional focus, can think analytically, present his/her own opinions and solutions to new and non-standard situations and understand the current state of technology,
• is ready to work effectively in a team, cooperate and motivate people, take responsibility for team results,
• can plan his/her own education, organize his/her work and acquire new knowledge independently,
• can independently determine the time plan for the solution of the project so as to minimize the cost component and comply with the time schedule of the employer respectively customer by applying modern approaches to working time planning also with regard to other members of the work team,
• is characterized by the ability to identify, quantify and evaluate the impact of problem solving on the social and environmental field,
• can appropriately and professionally present this/her opinions and technical solutions to different types of audiences at different levels of management.

Profile courses

Employability of graduates

The study program Automation and Information Engineering in Chemistry and Food Industry is the only engineering study program in the field of study Cybernetics focused on the application of control, automation and information technology in the chemical, food and process industries and the only one providing interdisciplinary study in natural sciences - chemistry, mathematics. and physics, chemical technology, automation, information technology and optimization. The employment of graduates is mainly in the chemical, process, petrochemical, food, pharmaceutical and paper industries, but also in interdisciplinary professions in the field of energy, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering, i.e. wherever it is necessary to recognize the properties of operating processes and computerize, automate, optimize and manage them so as to increase the economic efficiency and safety of their operation. In these areas, the graduate of the study program Automation and Information Engineering in Chemistry and Food Industry will act as a project manager, designer, constructor, system designer, specialist in various types of companies and organizations that use methods and means of automation, information and communication technologies to improve their functioning, mathematical treatment and data evaluation. The graduate of this study program is characterized by deep knowledge of material and energy balances of phenomena that take place in continuous and batch processes with mass and energy transfer, which, compared to graduates of other study programs in Cybernetics, allows him/her to better understand the physical nature of these processes and use it for their informatization, optimization and efficient management in order to reduce energy intensity, carbon footprint and overall environmental impact on the one hand and to increase the quantity and quality of production as well as overall labor productivity on the other hand. The graduate is characterized by in-depth knowledge of the course and kinetics of chemical reactions taking place in the processes of chemical and food technology, as well as their side effects on production and the environment. He/she masters various ways of measuring physical quantities and can process, analyze and evaluate these. The graduate is able to independently and as part of a team analyze technical problems, design solutions, implement computerization, automation, optimization and control algorithms and systems on process hardware, while existing systems can diagnose, maintain, manage and further develop. The graduate is able to apply the latest theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems, while being able to independently assess various solutions and choose the most effective from them, which takes into account the benefit and cost components. he/she will be employable in companies dealing with measurement, regulation, automation not only in the chemical and food industry, where knowledge of chemical and food technologies is an advantage in applications, but also in companies focused on computer technology, measurement and control technology, in development of Internet solutions not only in the chemical and food industry, but also in finance and banking, as a programmer in all sectors of the economy, as a middle management in chemical and food companies, in economic, sales, technical and personnel departments and has the potential to do business in production and services focused primarily on chemical and food technologies.

Examples of professions the graduate is prepared for

Graduate of the study programme Automation and Information Engineering in Chemistry and Food Industry:

• is ready for the study of the 3rd degree of university study and can, with the help of the acquired knowledge and skills, directly continue the study in the follow-up doctoral study programs in the field of Cybernetics,
• will be employable as (according to the System of Occupations at sustavapovolani.sk): Manager in chemical and pharmaceutical production, Chemical specialist biotechnologist, Chemical specialist technologist, Chemical specialist in research and development, Quality management specialist in chemical production, Maintenance specialist in chemical production, Specialist in food production, Specialist in research and development in food production, Maintenance specialist in food production, Software architect, software solution designer, Information technology solution manager, Information technology operation manager, Web Designer, Data Analyst, Database Analyst, Database Administrator, Digital Transformation Specialist.

Examples of successful graduates

The study programme Automation and Information Engineering in Chemistry and Food Industry has, during the 10 years of its existence, educated a number of successful graduates who have established themselves in the commercial and academic domains. For the commercial domain, it is possible to mention, for example, the following graduates: Ing. Barbora Šátková (year of graduation 2006), Ing. Ivana Hercegová (nee Rauová, 2010), Ing. Karol Ľubušký (2014), Ing. Natália Mikušová (2017) and Ing. Milan Horňák (2018), all in Slovnaft a.s., member of the MOL group, Ing. Monika Bučková (Terneuzen; The Netherlands), Ing. Juraj Holaza, PhD. (2012) and Ing. Daniela Képešiová (nee Pakšiová, 2015), both in Honeywell; Czech republic, Ing. Martin Misenko - Volkswagen Slovakia (2017), Ing. Juraj Kukla - Innovatrics (2018), Ing. Bálint Takács, Ph.D. - Vertiv Co (2012), Ing. Jakub Jakabsic (2017), Ing. Jakub Nosko (2019) and Ing. Daniel Boroš (2019) - all in SIEMENS, Ing. Linda Dvorštiaková (nee Hanulová, 2018) - Mondi SCP, and many others. Graduates in the academic and research domains are very successful - let us mention doc. Juraj Oravec, PhD. and doc. MSc. Ing. Martin Klaučo, PhD., who are successfully established at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, and especially Ing. Ján Drgoňa, PhD., who currently works at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in the USA.

Statements of employers or regulators

Employers positively evaluate the ability of graduates of the study programme to creatively apply theoretical knowledge to solve specific technical problems and challenges in automation and computerization of industrial plants and processes, emphasizing the uniqueness of the proposed study programme as a program that is the only one in the field of Cybernetics directly prepares graduates to work in areas of the chemical, petrochemical and food industries, where a deep understanding of the physical and chemical phenomena taking place in their operations is a necessary prerequisite for achieving economically efficient and at the same time safe operation. It is also emphasized by employers that the study programme Automation and Information Engineering in Chemistry and Food Industry accentuates the inclusion of project-type courses, whether individual or group, thus preparing graduates for the work in a team. Another positive side is the inclusion of courses in which graduates acquire soft skills, especially in the field of effective communication and presentation of their ideas, solutions and results. The quality of the study programme would benefit from closer cooperation between the faculty and industrial partners, so that students are already confronted with the challenges they will face in their future employment, ideally in the form of internships.This is not the case of regulated professions