Course Details

Exam Registration1100
Course StatusOngoing
Course TypeElective
LanguageEnglish
Duration12 weeks
CategoriesElectrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Manufacturing Processes and Technology, Robotics
Credit Points3
LevelUndergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date19 Jan 2026
End Date10 Apr 2026
Enrollment Ends02 Feb 2026
Exam Registration Ends20 Feb 2026
Exam Date25 Apr 2026 IST
NCrF Level4.5 — 8.0

Unlock the Future of Manufacturing: A Deep Dive into Industrial Automation and Control

The modern factory floor is a symphony of precision, where machines communicate, processes self-optimize, and production reaches unprecedented levels of efficiency and quality. This revolution is powered by Industrial Automation and Control. If you're an engineering student or professional looking to build a career at the forefront of this transformation, a comprehensive course from a premier institution is invaluable.

We are excited to detail a flagship 12-week course, "Industrial Automation and Control," instructed by the esteemed Prof. Alok Kanti Deb from IIT Kharagpur. This course is designed to provide a holistic understanding of the technologies that drive today's and tomorrow's industries.

Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Alok Kanti Deb

The course is led by an authority in the field. Prof. Alok Kanti Deb brings a rare blend of deep academic expertise and rich industrial experience to the classroom.

  • Academic Excellence: With a Ph.D. from IIT Delhi, Prof. Deb has extensive teaching experience in core subjects like Control Systems, Embedded Systems, and Intelligent Control at IIT Kharagpur.
  • Industry & Research Prowess: His career includes hands-on work with turbine-generator sets at Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation and leading high-impact research projects with organizations like General Motors (USA), ADA, Indian Railways, and the UK-India Smart Grid collaboration.
  • Proven Author and Innovator: He is a co-author of the textbook "Industrial Instrumentation, Control and Automation" and holds a US patent for advanced state estimation and diagnosis techniques.
  • Leadership: As the Chair of the IEEE Control Systems Society, Kharagpur Section, and mentor to the Kharagpur Robo Soccer Students’ Group, he is deeply connected to the pulse of technological advancement.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is meticulously designed for a wide audience:

  • Undergraduate & Postgraduate Students in Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Manufacturing, and Robotics Engineering.
  • Industry Professionals in process control (oil & gas, chemical), discrete manufacturing (automotive, machine tools), and plant engineering seeking to solidify their foundational knowledge.
  • Any interested learner with a prerequisite understanding of Electrical Networks and basic Control Systems concepts.

What Will You Learn? A 12-Week Journey

The course is structured into five detailed modules, comprising 52 lectures that take you from fundamental concepts to advanced systems.

ModuleKey Topics Covered
Module I: FoundationsIntroduction, Advantages, and Architecture of Industrial Automation Systems.
Module II: Measurement & DataSensor characteristics, Signal Conditioning, and Data Acquisition Systems.
Module III: Core Control Systems
  • Continuous Control: PID Control, Tuning, Feedforward, Ratio, and Special Control Structures.
  • Discrete/Sequence Control: Introduction to PLCs, Relay Ladder Logic (RLL), Scan Cycle, Structured Design, and PLC Hardware.
Module IV: Actuators & MachinesHydraulic & Pneumatic Control Systems, Flow Control Valves, Variable Speed Drives, and an Introduction to CNC Machines.
Module V: Integration & NetworksIndustrial Communication Networks (Fieldbus) and Higher-Level Automation Systems (SCADA, MES).

Why This Course is Essential for Your Career

Industrial automation is the backbone of Industry 4.0. This course provides the critical knowledge that bridges the gap between academic theory and industrial practice. As one past IIT Kharagpur student noted, "because of the course I can identify and relate to much of the equipment that I see in a factory." This practical recognition is the first step toward innovation and leadership on the plant floor.

The curriculum covers the entire spectrum—from sensing a process variable, conditioning the signal, implementing advanced control logic in a PLC or DCS, actuating via hydraulic/pneumatic/electric systems, to networking machines for coordinated operation. This end-to-end exposure is invaluable.

Course Details at a Glance

  • Duration: 12 Weeks
  • Level: Undergraduate/Postgraduate
  • Prerequisites: Electrical Networks, Control Systems
  • Categories: Electrical Engg., Electronics & Comm., Manufacturing, Robotics
  • Industry Support: Highly relevant for Process Control, Manufacturing, Machine Tools, and allied sectors.

Recommended Textbooks & Resources

To complement the lectures, Prof. Deb recommends several authoritative texts, including the one he co-authored:

  • Industrial Instrumentation, Control and Automation by S. Mukhopadhyay, S. Sen and A. K. Deb
  • Chemical Process Control by George Stephanopoulos
  • Electric Motor Drives by R. Krishnan
  • Hydraulic Control Systems by Herbert E. Merritt

Take the next step in mastering the technologies that are shaping the future of industry. This course by IIT Kharagpur and Prof. Alok Kanti Deb is more than just a series of lectures; it's a comprehensive toolkit for anyone aspiring to excel in the dynamic and rewarding field of industrial automation and control.

Enroll Now →

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