Guided independent learning package for advanced topics in electrical engineering, automation and control systems

Abstract

Ever more students start their master programme with a bachelor degree which does not provide the ideal background for their study. Such students benefit from dedicated help when they have to master advanced topics in automation, control and electrical engineering. Because individual help is adequate but too labour-intensive, a self-study package has been developed by which individual students can select an optimal path to update their required knowledge -depending on their foregoing trajectory- and acquire the required competencies. Topics cover electrical systems (medium and high voltage, power protection, power quality), power electronics (prototyping, electromagnetic compatibility), automation (drive control, drive efficiency, industrial networks and diagnosis). The guided self-study approach consists of a handbook and a digital learning platform; practical hands-on laboratories take place, distributed over several university colleges. A final assessment checks whether students obtained the required competencies. Approximately 12 groups of students, from 9 programmes in 7 institutions, cover 25 topics and laboratory visits yearly.