Why Study Cybernetics?

Cybernetics is the science of information acquisition and processing, especially for system control. It includes knowledge related not only to the control of technical systems, but also to the collection, processing, storage, and transmission of information necessary for the control of dynamic systems, and deals with the structure, limitations, and possibilities of control systems. The study of Cybernetics uses the knowledge of natural and technical sciences.

The main topics of the knowledge core of the Cybernetics study field include the following: information theory, theory of automatic control, systems theory, machine learning, artificial intelligence (including soft computing and machine learning), sensing and digital signal processing, intelligent robotics, modelling and simulation of systems, process control systems in the field of algorithmic, software and technical equipment, visual systems, digital and embedded systems. The study of Cybernetics at the Department of Control and Information Systems (DCIS) focuses on the field of industrial control systems, robotic systems, and traffic control systems in road and rail transportation. The individual topics are thus synergistically complementary and lead to the topic of autonomous systems based on knowledge of sensor technology, artificial intelligence, and robotics. The added value of studying Cybernetics at the DCIS is the knowledge extension in the field of functional and technical safety of control systems and cyber security.

For the bachelor's degree, we offer a study program in Automation within the study field of Cybernetics. The graduate acquires the following knowledge, skills, and competencies:

• KNOWLEDGE: He or she has the necessary knowledge of mathematics and physics; master basic approaches to the design of algorithms and their use in solving specific tasks; knows methods of data processing using knowledge of numerical mathematics and machine learning; has knowledge of parameters and methods for evaluating the reliability and safety of control systems; basic physical principles of sensing non-electric quantities, knowledge of database and information systems and their architecture; automatic control methods; logical and event control; the architecture of control systems; control of kinematic structures using modern technologies (machine vision, digital twin, IIoT, etc.); construction, principles of operation, properties and use of drives; information theory, its basic laws and source and channel coding; digital signal processing; hardware settings of control systems and instructions for programming control functions; algorithms of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, digital signature and creation of security protocols
• SKILS: He or she can explain approaches to creating algorithms and implement them in a specific programming language (C and C++); analyse data using probabilistic and statistical calculations and software support (spreadsheets); use selected machine learning methods; visualize data and processes; apply appropriate methods and procedures to achieve the required safety features of the control system; apply sensors of non-electric quantities, including the design of evaluation circuits and configuration of sensor network nodes; use methods of data collection and processing, identification, verification and authentication; design and implement a database system; implement security mechanisms and configure server components; apply appropriate procedures in the design of combinational and sequential logic circuits; create a state diagram and describe the behaviour of event control systems; implement system identification and create programs for analysis and synthesis of regulatory and control systems; program and configure control systems, including interconnections with other systems; analyse and use actuators; analyse and design individual parts of the digital signal processing chain for the purpose of the required signal processing; apply various coding methods with the aim of compression or data security when transmitting information; set up security communication in different types of networks; create and use models and simulations in the Matlab environment; select and apply the most suitable technical means for the automatic identification of products, objects and persons
• COMPETENCIES: He or she can independently apply and use appropriate algorithmizable approaches; independently analyse the data; work in a team; solve concrete and specific tasks independently; appropriately and professionally present own expert opinions; communicate in English.

According to existing qualification structures (e.g. the National System of Qualifications), the graduate will be employed in occupations corresponding to SKKR level 6, e.g. as an Automated Control Systems Technician (for various application areas), Application Programmer, Programmer, Information System Administrator, Database Specialist, Database Administrator, ICT tester, or PLC programmer (with a higher specialization than stated for SKKR 4). In all the mentioned professions, the added value of the graduate is the ability to perceive the issue of safety and reliability of control structures and to approach their solution properly.

In the Master’s degree, we offer the study program in Process Control as a part of the study field of Cybernetics. The graduate acquires the following knowledge, skills, and competencies:

• • KNOWLEDGE: He or she has knowledge of basic methods of analysis and design of safety features of control systems or their parts; knowledge needed to explain, describe and design advanced automatic control methods; knowledge of selected methods of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and knowledge needed to assess the appropriateness of their use; knowledge on requirements engineering, requirements modelling methods and basic system development models; knowledge on the management of complex tasks and system integration tasks; and about visualization tools and their use
  • SKILLS: He or she can analyse the given problem and identify factors affecting the safety of the control system or its part; create a mathematical/graphic-mathematical model describing the safety features of the control system or its part and propose measures for their improvement; implement discrete parametric identification of systems and examine their properties (stability, accuracy, quality, controllability, observability, etc.); analyse, design and apply advanced cybernetic methods and model and control structures, and establish methods, algorithms and programmatic implementations of controlling complex systems; creatively solve complex decision-making and control problems under conditions of incompleteness and/or uncertainty of data and information; implement control system development using CAD tools and approaches; create complex solutions with the application of modern technologies (Cloud, big data, edge computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc.); optimize selected types of control processes; visualize selected types of control processes; use appropriate SW tools to solve specific problem-oriented engineering tasks
  • COMPETENCIES: He or she can interpret, critically assess and present information obtained in the process of analysing the safety of control systems or their parts; educate yourself, continue further self-study, and present conclusions, findings, and justifications to both experts and laymen; work as an independent investigator of an individual project; work as a member of the project team

  The study program follows the latest trends in the field of Cybernetics and reflects the way of understanding the physical-cybernetic systems applied at the University of Berkeley, USA (see the original source http://CyberPhysicalSystems.org).

According to the existing qualification structures (e.g. the National System of Qualifications), the graduate will be employed in professions corresponding to SKKR level 7, especially as an Automated Production Specialist (in a revised form consisting of expansion and adaptation to the latest trends in the field of cybernetics - the concept of cyber-physical systems). The graduate is thus prepared for employment in the following areas:

• Industrial process control
• Transport process control
• Physical-cybernetic systems
• Control and information systems in process control
• Robotic systems and mobile robotics
• Visualization of processes in the field of industry and transport
• Safety of control systems
• Control systems based on safety-PLC
• Exponential technologies
• Applications: industry, transport (road/railway), computerization

A graduate of the study programme in Process Control is also prepared for Ph.D. degree study and, using the acquired knowledge and skills, can directly continue his/her studies in subsequent doctoral study programs in the field of Cybernetics.

In the third degree of study, we offer the study program in Process Control within the study field of Cybernetics. The graduate acquires the following knowledge, skills, and competencies:

• KNOWLEDGE: He or she has knowledge of the properties of cyber systems; knowledge of the analysis of user requirements, conditions, and environment; of cyber system design principles, methods, and procedures; of specialized software tools, information, and operational technologies; about basic concepts and standards in the field of cybernetics and selected application areas; of methods of creating technical documentation; of development trends in ICT and cybernetics; of legal regulations and concepts in the field of copyright, ethical principles; of the principles of leadership and participation in the project team; of the risks of endangering one's health or the health of others and safety principles at work
• SKILLS: He or she can analyse the properties of controlled processes; analyse and propose solutions to ensure the safety and reliability of cyber systems; propose concepts, methodologies, and forecasts of development in the field of cybernetics; develop and integrate control systems, including the optimization of their operation; analyse and apply cyber systems in selected application areas; analyse and monitor development trends in the field of cybernetics (based on the study of professional articles, evaluation, and selection of important facts and relevant contexts); design and develop technical studies and analyses of cyber systems control issues; implement project management of an internal/external project; manage the creation of technical documentation according to requirements; prepare analyses and analyses for the creation of technical projects; observe the principles of occupational safety and occupational hygiene
• COMPETENCIES: He or she has computer skills, information, and technical literacy; the ability to analyse and solve problems, including the formulation of own conclusions and hypotheses; ability to organize and plan work, project management; mathematical literacy; creativity and flexibility in thinking (adaptability, flexibility, improvisation skills, self-education); independence in decision-making; the ability of cultured verbal expression, communication with people, discussing and negotiation; cultured written communication; communication in a world language (English); presentation skills; teamwork.

According to existing qualification structures (e.g. the National System of Qualifications), the graduate will be employed in occupations corresponding to SKKR level 8. It is a priority to prepare a graduate for the qualification of System Architect for the Development of Cyber Systems, who is responsible for research, development, and overall implementation of innovative solutions in the field of cyber systems. He/she designs the overall system architecture and applied technologies, and coordinates the overall development of cyber-physical systems by functional, technical, and information safety/security requirements. He/she follows the latest trends in the development of process control, automation, computerization, and robotics, and implements them in practice. His/her knowledge, skills, and competencies are defined within the profile of the graduate, based on the comprehensive framework of cybernetics for the 3rd degree of study.