Degree Programme in Automation Engineering (In Finnish), 240 ECTS credits
> Course structure and key learning outcomes: Machine automation> Course structure and key learning outcomes: Electric automation
Specialisations
The lines of specialisation in the Degree Programme in Automation Engineering are
- Machine Automation
- Electrical Automation
Qualification awarded
Bachelor of Engineering
In addition, students may complete a double degree together with the Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany.
Students who complete a double degree receive both a Finnish and German Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.
Level of qualification
The degree programme leads to a higher education degree which is a first cycle Bachelor-level degree in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). According to the eight-level classification of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and National Qualifications Framework (NQF), the degree represents level 6.
Specific admission requirements
Please see the websites www.opintopolku.fi and www.seamk.fi/haku.
Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (RPL)
The Head of the Degree Programme, the Student Counsellor, and when necessary, the teacher of the course in question are responsible for RPL. Their task is to inform students of the recognition and assessment process, to discuss students' Personal Study Plan and to guide students in the demonstration of prior learning.
Project studies and the final thesis are not observed in RPL.
According to the degree regulation, prior learning of a subject expires in ten years.
Assessment is course-specific, defined by the teacher in question. Assessment methods are an exam (written or oral), practical assignment, a laboratory test, a field test or equivalent.
Qualification requirements and regulations
Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.
Pedagogical approach
Learning by doing is an age-old concept used to describe a method of in-depth learning. For this reason, 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 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.
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.
Profile of the programme
Automobile manufacturer Henry Ford set the pace for today's automation with his rule of the three S's: simplify, standardize, and specialize. This was the spark that ignited the intense manufacturing of the automobile. Today, all industrial manufacturing strives to abide by this same rule. Automation engineers, however, have yet one more ace up their sleeves, i.e. soul. By adding intelligence to a control system, you get an easy-to-use device that meets the needs of customers.
The engineers that graduate from our Degree Programme in Automation Engineering possess diverse expertise in machine and electric automation. They create intelligent machines/devices and production lines and automate them using modern methods. Our inter-technological programme comprises study modules in Automation, Electrical and Machine Design, Control Systems and Programming, and Robotics. Designs acquire substance through modelling, visualisation and simulation in our "virtual cave".
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 machinery 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.
Internationalization
Internationality is an essential part of our degree program. You can hear different languages - we have exchange students from all over the world.
The language of our lectures can be either in Finnish or in English; if exchange students are present the language is English. This encourages our students to take part in exchange programs; it contributes to their language skills and their knowledge of different cultures.
In our degree program you can accomplish both the Finnish and German Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, that is to say, the double degree. Our partner university in Germany is Hochschule Aschaffenburg. After two years of studying you can choose whether you want continue your studies in Seinäjoki or apply to the Hochschule Aschaffenburg for the third academic year (this is for the double degree). The fourth academic year is spent in Seinäjoki again. The students can also do their internships abroad.
If you would rather choose a shorter time for studying abroad, there are various exchange possibilities ranging from 3 to 5 months in countries all over the world.
Access to further studies
Students who have completed this programme are eligible to continue on to a university of applied sciences master's degree programme in automation technology.
Structure of the studies
The professional basics of the automation engineer are created during the first two years of the studies giving the important tools to the future engineers to use the languages, mathematics and physics. Simultaneously the basic studies of the automation engineering are studied consisting of automation engineering, electrical engineering, programming and mechanics depending on the specialization line chosen by the student. The specialization line is chosen after the first year of the studies.
In the third year of the studies the students get the deeper knowledge of the PLC (programmable logic controllers), electrical and mechanical planning, programming and robotics according to their choices. The students also participate in the actual projects commissioned by the industry (Project studies /Projektipaja, FramiPro). In the third study year the students can carry on the studies at the Faculty of Engineering of Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany making them possible to achieve the double degrees i.e. the students receive two engineering diplomas, one from Finland and the other one from Germany.
During the third study year's march to the the final study year's october the studies consists of the practical training in the industry where the students usually get the topic of their final theses finalizing their studies in the spring term of the fourth year. In the spring term the students have some courses of the professional studies, but mainly the spring term of the fourth year is reserved for writing their final theses/Bachelor theses.
Examination regulations, assessment and grading
Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.
Graduation requirements
Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and instructions for graduates at Intra.
Mode of study
Our younger students study full-time in the degree programme, while our students in the adult education programme study part-time through various modes of study.
Contact persons
Head of degree programme
Mr Hannu Reinilä, tel. +358 40 830 4160, e-mail: hannu.reinila(at)seamk.fi
ECTS departmental coordinator / International coordinator
Mr Tapio Pihlajaniemi, tel. +358 40 830 3966, e-mail: tapio.pihlajaniemi(at)seamk.fi
Student counsellor
Ms Pia-Mari Riihilahti, tel. +358 40 830 2355, e-mail: pia-mari.riihilahti(at)seamk.fi,
or Mr Jorma Mettälä, tel. +358 40 830 7481, e-mail: jorma.mettala(at)seamk.fi