Develop your advanced control engineering skills online.
Join us online for an introduction to state-space control design.
In this Masters-level online short course, you’ll learn about state-space control design for managing both linear and nonlinear systems in continuous and discrete time.
With expert guidance, you’ll develop your skills and knowledge in:
- system analysis
- designing and optimising implementable controllers
- basic system identification
- time and frequency-domain analysis of linear and nonlinear systems.
Who can join this online control engineering course?
This distance-learning course is designed for those who already have a basic knowledge of control theory and want to learn more about implementable control design and optimisation.
Build credits towards a Masters degree
This course is part of online:
You can use the credits you earn with this short course towards this MSc qualification.
What you’ll study
In this course, you’ll learn about concepts of state-space control design in continuous and discrete time domain for linear and nonlinear systems.
Through your learning, you’ll build skills in:
- system analysis, control design, and optimisation in state-space
- basic system identification
- the analysis and control of nonlinear systems via linearisation.
The course is split into three main modules. You’ll cover the following topics across these modules.
State-space control
- Methods to derive state-space models for linear continuous-time systems from their differential equations or their transfer functions
- Observability and controllability
- Pole-placement (regulator) design
- Observer design
- Compensators and optimisations thereof
- Stability analysis via phase-plane portraits
Digital control
- Methods to derive state-space models for linear discrete-time systems from their differential equations or their transfer functions
- Impact of sampling and modelling thereof
- Stability of discrete-time systems
Nonlinear systems
- Defining a class of time-invariant nonlinear systems
- Linearisation and state-space models thereof
- Analyses of equilibrium points
- Pole-placement control design
- Lyapunov theory for stability
- Introduction to gain scheduling and model-reference adaptive control
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to...
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Develop state-space models of linear and nonlinear time-invariant systems’ differential equations.
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Analyse system dynamics via state-space models for linear and nonlinear systems.
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Design and optimise pole-placement compensators, continuous-time, and discrete-time linear systems.
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Evaluate and improve system stability for linear and nonlinear systems.
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Design an experiment plan for identification of system dynamics.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for online control engineering courses
Fits around full-time work
This online course fits around work, with flexible hours and 24/7 study access.
You’re in expert hands
We’ve been training world-class engineers for over 100 years and delivering online learning for decades.
20% alumni discount
University of Aberdeen alumni get 20% off fees for this online course.
How you’ll study
Online learning
This distance-learning control design course is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can learn with us anywhere in the world, no student visa required, and manage your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
This course is taught at Masters level.
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources available, including:
- videos
- reading materials
- online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
One-to-one support
Additionally, you’ll have support from your course coordinator throughout the course. You’re welcome to email your coordinator to set-up a one-to-one meeting either in-person or via Teams to discuss course content and related queries.
Industry input
As the course is core to our MSc Industrial Robotics and MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering, it benefits from input from both of these degrees’ Industry Advisory Boards.
These boards of professionals working in industry ensure that your course material is always relevant to current industry needs.
Your tutors
This course is delivered by our School of Engineering.
You’ll learn from Professor Sumeet S. Aphale who leads the Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Mechatronics Research Group (ARMS).
This course is assessed online.
You’ll be assessed via:
- an online class test (worth 70% of your final course grade)
- a design exercise (30%).
The course totals approximately 150 hours of study and assessment time. That’s around 10 – 15 hours per week.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes. This includes time for independent study, as well as teaching and assessments.
You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Activities with deadlines
There will be some activities scheduled at fixed times, such as assessments with deadlines, or meetings with your tutor. But otherwise, you can access and work through the course at your convenience.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen and Microsoft Teams. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, wellbeing, and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study skills support and advice
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
Your course coordinator
Professor Sumeet S. Aphale
Sumeet (Senior Member, IEEE; CEng) is a Professor of Electrical and Electronic Systems at the University of Aberdeen.
He leads our Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Mechatronic Systems (ARMS) Research Group.
Sumeet’s research sits at the intersection of robotics, smart materials, nano-precision systems, and advanced control. His work has found applications in everything from scanning probe microscopes to futuristic trash collectors!
Sumeet has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers, with his work cited more than 3,000 times. He has been generously supported in his research endeavours, to the tune of over £3.5M, by several national and international funding bodies, governments, and industries.
View Sumeet’s profileWhere this will take you
Towards a Masters
You’ll earn 15 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) with this course. You can use these credits towards:
Masters in Industrial Robotics
Build your skills in engineering and AI, and learn to develop robotics technologies for diverse industry sectors.
View MSc Industrial RoboticsCareers related to control engineering
You’ll complete this course with enhanced, sought-after skills in control engineering.
This course is designed to help you progress within or towards roles related to control engineering, including:
- Control Engineer
- System Modeller
- System Analyst
- Robotics Engineer
- Automation Engineer.
Further learning and research
As well as preparing you for industry, this course can also act as a stepping stone into further postgraduate or PhD studies in:
- control engineering
- mechatronics
- robotics
- industrial automation.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for CPD hours. Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.
Free career support
Access our free careers service while you study.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications.
But you do need to check the entry guidance above to understand the level of teaching delivered, to decide if this course is right for you.
If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check the equivalent teaching level for your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
You do not have to provide proof of your English language skills to join this course. But we want to make sure that you can use English well enough to study successfully.
Recommended level of English
For this course, we recommend the following level of English language proficiency.
These are our Postgraduate Standard requirements, and these are minimum scores.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, or IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 18 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening, reading and speaking
- 169 for writing
LanguageCert Academic / LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening, reading and speaking
- 65 for writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
Skills for English: SELT
- B2 pass with merit
Duolingo – tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward
- 120 overall
- 95 for listening, reading and speaking
- 105 for writing
University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)
- Pass
- Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date
Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities
- Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
- B2 in all four skills
- Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course
For full information about language requirements, see our English Language Requirements page.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) with an up-to-date operating system
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Fee payment
Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Ways to save
You may be able to get help funding this course via:
- discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
- employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
Learning resources
Access to all the essential books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.
We also provide optional recommended reading lists. Many of these resources are available electronically through our library, although purchases may be required if you wish to read the full list.
Printing
You may want to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is delivered at Masters level. At this level, you’d usually have at least:
- a 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, and / or
- a passed first course in control theory / control systems / control engineering.
Mathematical knowledge
For this course, it’s essential that you have familiarity with concepts of transfer functions and differential equations describing linear system dynamics.
Programming experience
As the project assignment for this course is a modelling, control design and simulation exercise, competence in MATLAB / Simulink or Python is also required.
