Alumnus Muhammad Ziaur Rehman: ‘No matter what you’re dreaming about, Aalto is a great place to start’
Muhammad Ziaur Rehman graduated from the Master’s Programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering.
Master's Programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering
The Master’s Programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering prepares its graduates to perform in the intersection between hardware and software, ranging from the fields of Electrical Engineering and Energy sectors to Biomedical Engineering, Control Engineering and Robotics. Drawing from extensive research and fundamental theories in mathematical and natural sciences, the programme focuses on the applicable side of technologies, including topics like Autonomous Systems, Health Technology, Smart Grids and Renewable Energy Solutions.
Degree:
Master of Science (Technology)
Application period:
1.12.2021 – 3.1.2022
Language of instruction:
English
Duration:
2 years,
full-time
Eligibility:
Relevant Bachelor's degree
Field of study:
Technology and Engineering
Credits:
120 ECTS
Organising school:
School of Electrical Engineering
Tuition fees:
For non-EU/EEA citizens, €15000/y (Master’s studies)
The application period has closed
Applying to master’s programmes
Webinar | Automation & Electrical Engineering
Learn more about Master's programme in Automation & Electrical Engineering. Watch the Webinar recording where programme representatives and students tell more about the studies, career possibilities and answer some other questions you might have.
Objectives of studies
While the underlying scientific theories and fundamentals remain relatively stable over time, their applications for modern use cases might change rapidly. The programme equips students with an ability to apply scientific methods and theories to the most recent and needed use cases. The Master’s Programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering graduates have:
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State-of-the-art knowledge in their field. Graduates have an extensive understanding of the fundamental scientific theories in their chosen specification area.
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A solution-based mindset. Graduates are experts in applying their knowledge to solve real-life problems and to shape industry standards, especially on the system level.
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An analytical toolbox. Graduates are data-driven and perform well in analytical problem-solving and advanced mathematics.
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Strong leadership skills. Graduates have great team-work skills, can handle even the most stressful situations and lead by example under pressure.
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International competence. Graduates possess professional language skills and the ability to work in a global and multidisciplinary setting.
Upon graduation from the Automation and Electrical Engineering Programme, graduates are well prepared for a broad variety of engineering and research careers as well as doctoral studies in the field.
Content of studies
Studying in the programme is a combination of theoretical lectures and readings, and hands-on calculations, exercises, projects, workshops and laboratory sessions. Some of the projects come directly from companies in the industry, adding a strong challenge-based approach to the studies. The main themes discussed in the programme are:
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renewable energies and sustainability, e.g. energy efficiency and power conversion systems
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distributed and networked power systems, e.g. smart grid, smart living environment, safety and security in distributed/networked systems
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sensing and perceiving the environment, e.g. microsensors, machine perception
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transition from automation to autonomy
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personal healthcare and medical instrumentation
Depending on their interest on these themes, students get to choose one of the three specification areas. This decision during the first semester of the programme largely defines the mandatory and recommended course selection. The available majors are:
The Control, Robotics and Autonomous Systems major provides a strong basis in control engineering and automation, allowing students to specialise in a particular area of interest such as factory automation, robotics, autonomous smart systems, or industrial software systems. Central topics for all students include modelling, estimation and control of dynamic systems, as well as embedded systems and software for modern automation systems. Upon completion of the Major, the student is able to:
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Understand the need for automation
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Design models and controllers for dynamic systems
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Analyse properties and dynamics of systems
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Design industrial software applications
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Understand one of the focus areas in-depth:
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robotics and autonomous systems
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smart systems
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control engineering
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automation software
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factory automation
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The Electrical Power and Energy Engineering major offers a firm base for engineers working in the field of electrical power and energy engineering. The field includes power transmission, distribution, smart grid, and sustainable generation and utilisation of electrical power, as well as power-conversion devices such as motors, generators, and power electronic converters and their control. Upon completion of the Major, students are able to:
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Identify fundamental aspects and considerations for electrical energy systems
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Develop applications for energy efficiency, integration of renewables, and distributed generation
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Analyse and evaluate existing and future challenges in the field of electrical power and energy engineering
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Design and analyse power systems or energy conversion devices
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Understand one of the focus areas in-depth:
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electromechanics
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power electronic systems
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power systems
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sustainable electrical energy
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Electronic and Digital Systems (EDS) is a multidisciplinary major focusing on embedded systems and system level design especially for intelligent and autonomous devices and applications. It covers the chain from sensors small enough to enable smartdust, over autonomous embedded systems, up to data synthesis and real-time decision making for traditional industries as well as IoT and digitally based economies. EDS emphasizes the process of transferring results from fundamental studies into functional products and services. There are two study tracks, which are (i) embedded systems and sensing and (ii) integrated smart systems.
Upon completion of the Major, the student will be able to:
• translate the electronic and digital systems application needs into technical requirements;
• create product innovations based on holistic system level thinking;
• apply embedded HW and SW design principles, understand their constraints, performance as well as environmental and safety impacts;
• apply the design and fabrication principles and understand the basics of upscaling and lifecycle management of strongly miniaturized autonomous sensor and actuator systems;
• apply methods for processing, analyzing and combining of data from sensors and sensor networks
Structure of studies
The Master’s Programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering is organised by the School of Electrical Engineering and comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:
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Major studies (65 ECTS)
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Elective studies (25 ECTS)
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Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)
At the beginning of their studies, students define their Personal Study Plans (PSP) together with an academic advisor. The primary purpose of the PSP is to ensure that the studies support the student’s interests and are completed in a logical order. The available course selection is extremely wide and strongly depends on the chosen specification area.
Master's Thesis
The programme includes a master's thesis which is an independent research project worth 30 ECTS. The master's thesis is written on a topic related to the advanced studies in the programme. Master's theses are typically written on topics commissioned by the industry or on topics based on the needs of the research projects at the university.
Career opportunities
Programme graduates enjoy excellent career opportunities in the public and private sectors, especially in a future full of autonomous systems and technological advancement. Thanks to the tight-knit connections to the industry, the chances to land a job through course projects, internships, research or thesis work are high. Further, graduates have all the necessary entrepreneurial skills to found and build their own companies as well.
Aalto University has well-established career services through which you can get employed in Finland and abroad. Aalto students tend to find good positions with ease upon their graduation. An active entrepreneurship community is also present at Aalto, which can help as a springboard for founding your company. Finally, if an academic career is of interest, the Master’s programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering at Aalto is a great foundation for doctoral studies and post-doc positions.
International opportunities
The study environment in the programme is strongly international and studies are conducted in multicultural groups. The organising department of the Programme enjoys well-established links and co-operation agreements with a wide range of companies, research institutes and universities in the EU, China, Japan, and the USA. As a result, many students take the chance of studying abroad for a semester, in one of the top-tier partner universities of Aalto, and some apply for an internship abroad. Moreover, student guilds organise industry excursions not only in the Nordics but all around the world.
Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad every year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through studies but also via multiple free time events, activities and celebrations around the campus. Active tutoring programmes and support services work tirelessly to help international students integrate into Nordic culture and welcome them at home in Finland.
Post-graduate studies
The programme qualifies for doctoral studies (Doctor of Science in an applicable field).
Additional informationn about research related to this programme can be found at the webpage of the department of Electrical Engineering and Automation.
Study-option-specific application instructions
Required prior knowledge
A high‐quality Bachelor’s degree in in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Materials Science. Excellent candidates with degrees in other fields such as Computer Science, Engineering, Natural Sciences or Mathematics will be considered if they have sufficient studies and proven skills and knowledge in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Materials Science.
Applicants who already have a Master’s degree of comparable quality and content in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Materials Science or related field, or who intend to complete one, or who have a valid study right in this application target will not be accepted to the programme except for special reasons, which the applicant must explain in the application. The Master’s programme should provide genuinely new knowledge and further the career of the applicant.
The following background knowledge is required:
Required background subjects:
• mathematics (linear algebra, calculus, probability theory and statistics)
• programming skills
• physics and/or chemistry
• project and team work
• technical writing
For applicants whose previous degree is in a subject other than Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Materials Science, it is critical to demonstrate the knowledge of
the above areas and the specific major requirements (as described below) in the application.
In addition to the general background requirements, each major has specific requirements. The major is selected at the beginning of the studies, and at that point the background requirements listed below are considered. The applicants are asked to indicate in the motivation letter which major they wish to follow. The majors offered have the following specific requirements.
1. Control, Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Required knowledge:
• basics of control engineering
Knowledge of the following areas is considered an advantage:
• robotics
• industrial automation
• basics of electronics
• good programming skills
2. Electrical Power and Energy Engineering
Required knowledge:
• circuit theory (including three-phase systems)
• electricity and magnetism
• basics of electronics and electronic components
Knowledge of the following areas is considered an advantage:
• basics of control engineering
3. Electronic and Digital Systems
Knowledge of the following areas is considered an advantage:
• good knowledge of physics and/or chemistry
• basics of electronics
In addition to the mandatory application documents, applicants to the Automation and Electrical Engineering programme are requested to provide the following additional documents:
- curriculum vitae*
- motivation letter*
- The motivation letter should be written in English. The maximum length of the motivation letter is about 4000 characters. You should write a separate motivation letter for each study option you apply to.
* the lack of these two application documents will adversely affect the evaluation of your application
- at least one original recommendation letter (preferably academic)
- work certificates and certificates of other relevant achievements
- copies of any publications
- the official transcript of records for other university studies which are not included in the mandatory part of the application
The application should fully explain the educational history of the applicant. If the applicant has started or completed other studies in addition to the Bachelor's degree mentioned above, he or she should also provide the respective official transcripts and other possible (degree) certificates.
If the applicant has work experience or other activities or achievements to support their application, certificates or other proof should be included in the application. If the applicant has publications, copies or permanent web links to the publications should be provided. The CV should be used to provide a summary of one's personal history, achievements, objectives and other points that one considers important for the application.
The motivation letter can supplement the description of personal history. The motivation letter should also describe why the applicant is applying to the study‐option and why she/he would be a good candidate for the study option.
The recommendation letter should preferably be from a university professor, lecturer or a thesis instructor who has supervised the applicant’s studies at the university. The recommendation should comment on the applicant’s suitability to the specific study option and major.
General instructions on study-option-specific documents
All additional application documents described above should preferably be submitted in English. If some other language than English, Finnish or Swedish is used in them, the applicant must provide precise, word-for-word translations of them.
Upload the documents to your online application form in pdf-format. Name the file(s) according to format: Name of the document-Lastname-Firstname (e.g. CV-Lastname-Firstname.pdf). Maximum file size is 1.0 GB.
The study-option-specific documents must be uploaded for each study option separately, even if you use the same document (e.g. CV). Please check carefully the study-option-specific document requirements for each study option you apply to.
The deadline for the study-option-specific application documents to be uploaded to your application form is the same as for the general application documents.
The applicants must first meet the general eligibility requirements of Aalto University.
Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked
according to the evaluation criteria listed here.
Firstly, the applications are evaluated based on the following (critical) criteria.
- Relevance of previous studies
- Academic performance
Only the applications who fulfill the requirements for these criteria will be evaluated against the full
set of evaluation criteria. After the evaluation of the remaining criteria below, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation of all criteria.
- Recognition and quality of institution
- Suitability
- Other areas of competence
Relevance of previous studies
| What we look for in an applicant |
A high‐quality Bachelor’s degree in in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Materials Science. Excellent candidates with degrees in other fields such as Computer Science, Engineering, Natural Sciences or Mathematics will be considered if they have sufficient studies and proven skills and knowledge in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Materials Science. Applicants who already have a Master’s degree of comparable quality and content in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Materials Science or related field, or who intend to complete one, or who have a valid study right in this application target will not be accepted to the programme except for special reasons, which the applicant must explain in the application. The Master’s programme should provide genuinely new knowledge and further the career of the applicant. The following background knowledge is required for the Master’s Programme. Required background subjects: • mathematics (linear algebra, calculus, probability theory and statistics) For applicants whose previous degree is in a subject other than Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering or Materials Science, it is critical to demonstrate the knowledge of the above areas and the specific major requirements (as described below) in the application. 1. Control, Robotics and Autonomous Systems Required knowledge: Knowledge of the following areas is considered an advantage: 2. Electrical Power and Energy Engineering Required knowledge: Knowledge of the following areas is considered an advantage: 3. Electronic and Digital Systems Knowledge of the following areas is considered an advantage: |
| What is evaluated? | Content and quantity of previous studies in relation to the applied programme. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
Academic performance
| What we look for in an applicant |
The programme is looking for applicants with excellent success in their previous studies. This will be evaluated on the basis of the Grade Point Average (GPA) and results in key courses. The All the applicant’s previous university studies, including incomplete degrees and non‐degree studies, will be taken into consideration when evaluating study success. Applicants who have previously studied at Aalto University, e.g. as exchange students, are also evaluated according to the grades, the number of credits obtained, as well as on the time spent on these studies. The minimum GPA for applicants from Finnish universities of applied science is 3.8. Applicants with a GPA below the 3.8 limit will not be admitted unless they have other exceptional merits. Meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission to the programme. |
| What is evaluated? | Grades of previous degree(s) |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
Recognition and quality of institution
| What we look for in an applicant | The applicant’s previous degree will be evaluated based on the international reputation and academic quality of the university and the programme. |
| What is evaluated? | Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution |
| Method of demonstrating competence | International and national rankings of higher education institutions |
Suitability
| What we look for in an applicant | The applicant should be motivated to study the chosen subject and committed to full‐time studies with a plan to complete the Master’s degree in two years. We are looking for applicants who are able to express clearly the reasons for applying to the programme and describe why they would be good candidates for the programme. |
| What is evaluated? | Applicant’s further applicability to the study option, motivation and commitment for studies |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Motivation letter |
Other areas of competence
| What we look for in an applicant |
Applicants will benefit of the following:
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| What is evaluated? | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non‐formal education, competitions |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Curriculum vitae, letter of recommendation, proof of employment, publications |
The minimum GPA for applicants from Finnish universities of applied science is 3.8. Applicants with a GPA below the 3.8 limit will not be admitted unless they have other exceptional merits. Meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission to the programme.
Previously, all admitted students whose previous degree was from a Finnish university of applied science were required to take a selection of complementary studies. This is no longer required, and complementary studies are assigned only in individual cases. Therefore, it is important to demonstrate the depth of the required prior knowledge in the application. This can be achieved, for example, with excellent grades in the relevant Bachelor courses and by completing a small number of demanding courses in the areas of required knowledge. A limited number of seats for non-degree students are available in the Bachelor-level courses in Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Programming at Aalto University, and similar courses may be available through the Open University.
Contact information
For enquiries regarding the application process, general application documents and language tests, please contact [email protected].
For enquiries regarding the content of programme, studies at the School of Electrical Engineering and the study option specific application documents please contact [email protected].
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