Overview & Contacts

For general information:

Mr Alex King
Postgraduate Programmes Administrator

Tel: +44 (0)1904 325402
Fax: +44 (0)1904 325599
E-mail: postgraduate@cs.york.ac.uk

For informal discussion:

Dr Ibrahim Habli
Course Organiser

Tel: +44 (0)1904 325566
Fax: +44 (0)1904 325599
E-mail: ibrahim.habli@cs.york.ac.uk

Related Links

• Course Fees
• Apply Online

Part Time - This programme is only available part time.

12 Assessed Modules - 6 of which Core (C) - 6 of which are Optional (O) - Plus a four person-month individual project carried out either at York.

This modular advanced MSc course is designed to prepare students for work in the field of gas turbine control by exposing them to the latest science and technology within this field.

The requirements for engine control systems are amongst the most challenging for aerospace products, including stringent safety, availability and reliability targets. To produce these products cost-effectively companies need good processes and tools - but the most crucial factor is having a highly skilled workforce. The MSc in Gas Turbine Control is a key tool in developing these skills within the workforce of companies developing such projects.

Many practitioners have considerable experience in developing control systems - but, so far as we can ascertain, few have directly relevant formal education. This is largely because one of the key skills - systems engineering - is not widely taught at undergraduate level, and is not common even at postgraduate level. Also, there have been substantial new developments in recent years, thus there is a need for CPD even for those with a relevant degree. Thus a key aim of the MSc and the other courses is to provide understanding of the principles underlying good industrial practise, to enable practitioners to work more effectively and efficiently.

The core activities in developing control systems are systems engineering and system integration, but there are many specialisms, including:

• Safety and reliability;
• Control theory;
• Computer and software engineering;
• Electronic engineering;
• Hydro-mechanical (unit) engineering;
• Electrical engineering.

This MSc is designed to cover core topics which should be understood by all Control Engineers. There is also the ability to focus on particular specialisms, beyond the core material.

Discussions are currently ongoing to allow this course to be used as part of a Continuing Professional Development programme for Institution of Engineering and Technology or British Computer Society members or the IMechE.

Any of the modules listed for this course can also be taken as an individual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course. To apply as a short course attendee please visit our the short courses page.

Aims

The course aims to provide participants with a thorough grounding and practical experience in the use of state-of-the-art techniques for development of gas turbine control systems; together with an understanding of the principles behind these techniques so that they can make sound engineering judgements during the design and deployment of such a system. Graduates completing the course will be equipped to play leading and professional roles in control systems engineering related aspects of industry and commerce. New areas of teaching will be developed in response to new advances in the field as well as the requirements of the organisations that employ our graduates.

The programme aims to equip students with knowledge, understanding and practical application of the essential components of Gas Turbine Control, to complement previously gained knowledge and skills. A York Gas Turbine Control graduate will have a solid grounding of knowledge and understanding of the core areas, as represented by the mandatory modules. The optional modules give students the opportunity to gain knowledge in other areas which are of interest to them and which are taught by recognized experts in those areas.

Transferable Skills

Information-retrieval skills are an integrated part of many modules; students are expected to independently acquire information from on-line and traditional sources. These skills are required within nearly all modules, are an essential part of project work.

Numeracy is required and developed in most modules, which are often taught using a theoretical, mathematical basis. Time management is an essential skill for any student in the programme. The formal timetable has a substantial load of lectures and labs. Students must fit their private study in around these fixed points. In addition, Open Assessments are set with rigid deadlines which gives students experience of balancing their time between the different commitments

Modules

The course modules are normally taken over three years, the fourth year is dedicated to project work. Core modules are normally taken in the first and second years and the optional modules are taken in the second and third years. Each module is taught full time for one week and delivered at York.

Timescales, module and project descriptions for 2012/2013:

Module Title	Start Date	Assessment			Core/ Optional
		Hand-out	Hand-in	Feedback
Empirical Methods for LSCITS (EMML)	22/10/12	25/10/12	12/12/12		O
Software Requirements and Architectures (SWRE)	29/10/12	01/11/12	19/12/12		O
Hazard and Risk Assessment (HRAS)	12/11/12	15/11/12	09/01/13		C (y3)
Electrical Systems & Electronic Compatibility (ESEC)	26/11/12	29/11/12	23/01/13		O
Human Factors for Safety Critical Systems (HUFS)	07/01/13	10/12/12	25/02/13		O
Introduction to System Safety (ISSA)	14/01/13	16/01/13	06/03/13		C (y2)
Safety Case Development & Review (SCDR)	21/01/13	24/01/13	13/03/13		C (y3)
Safety Management Systems (SMSY)	11/02/13	14/02/13	10/04/13		C
Computers & Safety (CASA)	25/02/13	28/02/13	17/04/13		C (y2)
Technology Innovation: Strategy, Management & Commercialisation (TINS)	25/02/13	27/02/13	24/04/13		O (y3)
Through Life Safety (TLSA)	11/03/13	14/03/13	07/05/13		C
Predictable Software Systems (PSSY)	11/03/13	14/03/13	07/05/13		O
Software Testing Analysis and Review (STAR)	08/04/13	11/04/13	08/05/13		O
Health Care Monitoring (HCMO)	22/04/13	24/04/13	12/06/13		O
Socio-Technical Systems (SOTS)	13/05/13	16/05/13	03/07/13		O
Systems Engineering II (GSE2)	03/06/13	05/06/13	24/07/13		C
Gas Turbine Project (PRMG)	Oct 12 - Sept 13	Project Submission: 16/09/13
		Presentation: 19/09/13 - 20/09/13

Module Title	Start Date	Assessment			Core/ Optional
		Hand-out	Hand-in	Feedback
Msc in Gas Turbine Control Induction (GTI)	27/09/11	-	-	-	C
Systems Engineering 1 (GSE1)	10/10/11	13/10/11	16/11/11	21/12/11	C
Software Requirements and Architectures (SWRE)	31/10/11	03/11/11	21/12/12	15/02/12	O
Electronic Systems Design (ESDE)	28/11/11	01/12/11	25/01/12	07/03/12	O
Introduction to Control Theory (ICTH)	09/01/12	12/01/12	29/02/12	11/04/12	C
Software Testing Analysis and Review (STAR)	13/02/12	16/02/12	04/04/12	16/05/12	O
Safety Management Systems (SMSY)	20/02/12	23/02/12	11/04/12	23/05/12	O
Computers & Safety (CASA)	26/03/12	29/03/12	23/05/12	04/07/12	C
Control Architecture (COAR)	23/04/12	26/04/12	13/06/12	25/07/12	C
Aircraft Control Systems (ACCS)	28/05/12	31/05/12	18/07/12	05/09/12	O
Sensors & Effectors (SAEF)	25/06/12	28/06/12	22/08/12	03/10/12	O
Gas Turbine Project (PRMG)	Oct 11 - Sept 12	Project Submission: 12/09/12 Presentation: 19/09/12 & 20/09/12		-	C

• All modules occupy 5 days, starting on Monday.
• Modules may be cancelled if there are insufficient numbers.
• Core (C) and Optional (O) modules are assessed.
• Mandatory modules are usually taken in the first and second year of study, optional modules in the third year and the project in the fourth year.
• A choice of six Optional modules are to be taken for the MSc.
• GTC = Gas Turbine Control.

For each module there is an associated assessed exercise, which takes approximately 35 hours in addition and can be completed on or off site. All assessed exercises are open, comprising a report, case study, or documented piece of software.

Each student is allocated a personal supervisor from within the Department who meets the student regularly to discuss progress during both the teaching and project phases. In addition, industrial supervisors will be responsible for the day to day supervision of projects that are undertaken in industry.

Project

The project is examined by dissertation; the amount of time required to complete it is approximately four person-months.

The Project enables students to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of an area by means of a literature review covering all significant developments in the area and placing them in perspective;
• Exhibit critical awareness and appreciation of best practice and relevant standards;
• Investigate particular techniques and methods for the construction of GTC systems, possibly involving the construction of a prototype;
• Suggest methodologies for evaluation of, and preliminary evaluation of, the outcome of their work.

The project addresses a major technical problem concerned with real issues. It is a natural progression from the taught modules, and builds on material covered in them. It will typically have an industrial flavour. Part-timers are encouraged, with the help of their managers and academic staff, to select a project which is relevant to their own work.

The project begins at the start of the third year after completion of the taught modules, and lasts 12 months part-time (equivalent of 4 month full-time). For part-time students there are three mandatory weeks attendance at York during the project, for progress assessment and access to library facilities. Full details are provided during the course.

How To Apply

To apply for this MSc please complete and submit your application electronically using the University's online application system.

Prerequisites

Typically applicants for MSc Gas Turbine Control will have achieved at least a second class degree in a Control Engineering or a related discipline with an appropriate mathematical basis. Industrial experience is also useful. This part-time course is specifically directed at those with several years of industrial experience. An appropriate degree is desirable, but many applicants will have reached degree-level knowledge through their work experience.

This programme, like all others in the University, welcomes students of all backgrounds and circumstances. You can choose to receive a hard copy of the Postgraduate Prospectus by filling out th informal enquiry form. Applicants are required to nominate two referees, of which at least one should be from the applicant's current employer or place of study. Applicants are normally interviewed before acceptance either in person if UK based or by telephone for international students.

The University welcomes international students. You can find more information specifically for prospective international students. 

Non-English speaking candidates are required to have certain English language qualifications prior to admission.

Meet Our Students

In my line of work the Gas Turbine Control MSc is exceptionally useful to my development. Besides the route to chartership that it provides, it gives me an overview of what other functions do with the information I supply them from my role, and explains how they produce what they supply to me.

John - MSc in Gas Turbine Control part-time student

Why did you decide to study Computer Science? I wanted to gain a Masters to aid chartership and also learn more about Control Systems besides the discipline in which I have worked/am working now. My company sponsors a number of employees each year to do this course and it ticked all the boxes for me.

What course are you studying? Gas Turbine Control MSc (4-Year Part-time).

What have been the best aspects of the course so far? So far the quality of material delivered and depth of knowledge of the speakers has been second to none, and clearly the best part for me.

What do you like about the course content? The GTC MSc it is very closely linked to actual industry practices (in my experience), and this means that all the material is relevant unlike many of the academic things that I have done in the past.

What do you like about the way the course is delivered? Condensing a module into what is a very long week is difficult, so the mix of tutorials and lectures is well thought out and keeps things interesting.

What is your opinion of the Computer Science Department as a whole in terms of people interaction and atmosphere? CS is a very friendly place, if a little quiet at times owing to the open plan layout. That said, it does give a purposeful atmosphere that is easy to work in.

What do you think about the facilities in the department? The department has everything you would expect it to, but so far I have only completed classroom based modules so it is difficult to say in terms of equipment. The working props that have been used to now have been good though.

How do you feel about your future in terms of career, and are you confident of the Computer Science foundation and skill-set that you are developing? In my line of work the GTC MSc is exceptionally useful to my development. Besides the route to chartership that it provides, it gives me an overview of what other functions do with the information I supply them from my role, and explains how they produce what they supply to me. Overall this makes me much more able to take on management roles in the future that span various functions besides those I have worked in. It also shows me other ways of doing things besides those that are set in stone within my organisation, which allows me to view our processes in the context of others with a view to improving them.

How do you feel the course has helped you in your career? So far I have only been on the course for six months, so at the moment it is difficult to tell.