About the study programme

You can choose between several main profiles for the study program:

Field of Study: Adapted Computer Systems

All advanced industrial products have one or more built-in specialized computer systems. These systems take care of signal measuring, realization of control laws and control of final controlling elements (engines and valves). Adapted computer systems have considerable different functional requirements as regards administrative data processing, they must among other things relate to their surroundings in true time. This study includes further specialization in computer subjects, projecting of instrumentation systems, data communication, technical safety and operator communication. This course provides possibilities for a career within the entire range of cybernetics engineering activities.

Field of Study: Medical Cybernetics

To a great extent, this course builds on the subject Adapted Computer Systems, but focuses on medical technology. We cooperate closely with the Faculty of Medicine and St. Olavs Hospital. The development within application of modern technology for improved and safer diagnostics and treatment is dramatic. The courses in this field of study show how advanced technology and signal and image processing can be applied within medicine.

Field of Study: Fisheries and Aquaculture Cybernetics

Fishing and aquaculture are among Norway’s largest industries. The description of marine ecosystems, for example fish stocks in sea regions, the behaviour of fish, fish control, control of tools and vessels and instrumentation in the sea are research fields which will experience industrial development in the future.

Field of Study: Process Cybernetics

This course will further develop the students’ mathematical knowledge to enable them to create control systems for physical processes. Some of Norway’s most important industries are the petroleum industry and processing industries such as aluminium, silicon, wood processing and energy systems. Examples of companies in these sectors are: Hydro, Statoil, Elkem, Dyno, Norske Skog, and Hafslund Nycomed. Efficient operation of these types of enterprises is to a large extent dependent upon process automation. Process automation includes systems for control, monitoring, diagnosis and planning functions. In this industry, teamwork is very common. Central tasks include developing good solutions that yield higher productivity, improved environment and increased safety.

Field of Study: Navigation, Vessel Control Systems and Robot Engineering

Norway is a leading nation within shipping and offshore technologies. Cybernetic applications include autopilots and systems for navigation, ship steering, underwater vehicles and other ocean structures. Norwegian enterprises dominate the world market within dynamic positioning, which deals with making vessels and platforms remain at fixed locations or follow a given course automatically. This system is to a large extent developed at the Department of Engineering Cybernetics at NTNU. We also work on control systems for rudder-based roll stabilization of ships, anti-vibration mounting of speedboats and global tracking control of ships by means of satellites. Navigation and vessel steering are also important within space travels, airplane and rocket steering. A related technical field is robot engineering. This subject deals with the steering of things that move. Robots increase industry productivity dramatically. They can be used for routine work and in noxious environment, e.g. for spray painting. They are also necessary to perform work at great depths as in the oil industry – or out in space. In addition, robots are used in new fields, such as in prostheses and in medical surgery. You will learn about the robot’s components, and how to describe and control its movements.