It is difficult to imagine life in modern society without automation. This refers not only to industrial production, but also to all spheres of life.

Automation, Information and Control Systems (AICS) is a modern degree course, which provides profound knowledge and skills in the field of hardware and software technologies and their application in the area of automation.

In the not too distant past the word automation was used mainly to refer to the automatic control of various devices. With the development of computer technology, however, automation has largely expanded its range. Today an automation engineer needs to have knowledge in information, control, computer and communication technologies. The automation engineer can get satisfaction with his/her work developing complex solutions, individually or as a member of a team, starting from the design phase and covering all stages leading to the final implementation.

The areas in which automation engineers can pursue careers are extensive and provide innovation, guaranteed prospects for the future and maximum independence from the situation on the labour market.

The first stage of the Bachelor degree course covers four semesters. It involves training for acquiring the fundamental knowledge needed for an engineer in subjects such as mathematics, physics, programming, electrical engineering, instrumentation and electronics.

During the next four semesters training is focused on microprocessors and microcontrollers, programmable logic controllers, computer-based control systems, databases in control systems, process control, Internet-based control systems for industrial objects, object-oriented programming, technical automation devices, intelligent sensors and systems, industrial communications and computer networks, design of process control systems.

The department in charge of training students following this degree course is the Department of Automation, Information and Control Systems. It has everything that is needed for conducting a high-quality teaching process: a team of young, highly-qualified lecturers and teaching laboratories with modern equipment. The department premises host laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment in: Automation Tools, by courtesy of SIEMENS, Programmable Controllers, courtesy of Unitronics, Industrial Automation, courtesy of Beckhoff Automation and Control Technology, courtesy of АМК.

The department maintains contacts with a number of companies, as well as departments in other European universities. The department staff is involved in various projects under the Leonardo da Vinci and CEEPUS programs. Annual exchange of students and staff with partner universities takes place within the framework of CEEPUS.

Students who graduate in AICS acquire the professional qualification of Automation Engineer and can find employment in:

• the area of industrial automation (process control in all spheres of production industry);
• the field of building automation;
• small and medium-sized enterprises for hardware and software products and automation systems;
• servicing for maintenance of automation systems and computers;
• automation of processes in the non-production sphere, such as transport, medicine, environment protection, etc.

The main advantage that automation engineers have is their good computer training, which enables them to pursue careers in other related areas of information and computer technologies.

Bachelor degree holders in AICS can continue their studies in the Master degree course. The duration of the course is 3 semesters.

During their studies graduate students gain knowledge and skills in the area of optimization methods and multi-criteria decision making, monitoring systems, industrial information systems, control of non-linear systems and renewable energy sources, PLC-based control systems, building automation systems and industrial robots.

Students who graduate in this course acquire the professional qualification of Automation Engineer - Master and can pursue successful careers in:

• firms specialized in research, design and engineering for development of control systems and automation technology;
• management and executive teams in the industrial and non-production branches;
• companies and firms specialized in the development, production, operation and maintenance of automation tools.