Program for master track in Lean Engineering at HAN

Systems Modeling and Applied Control: read the description and watch the video for these compulsory modules.

Systems Modeling

Here you learn to create a white-box model of a real-world process in the electrical, mechanical and chemical domain. How? Using the 4+1 step approach.

You learn to use model representations such as differential equations, transfer functions and state space. And you discover the ins and outs of tools such as Bode plots and Nyquist diagrams.

What about simulating your model? For that you become proficient in MATLAB Simulink. To conclude the modeling process, you validate your model and estimate its parameters.

Part of this 1st module is strengthening your project and research skills.

Topics:

Applied physics
Introduction to modeling
Practice modelling and simulation
Energy-based modeling
System identification
Minor project modeling systems (includes research skills)

Watch the video about the module Systems Modeling

Applied Control

The Applied Control module starts with analyzing a physical system and/or a model. This might be a 1st order, 2nd order or higher order system. Or a linear or nonlinear model or SISO/MIMO system.

You master techniques such as pole–zero plot, Bode, Nyquist diagrams and step responses. These techniques are for determining the requirements of the controlled system. Another important skill you work on is discussing controller specifications with a client. So discussing specifications like stability, offset, settling time, overshoot, phase and gain margin.

You also learn to create an analogue and/or digital feedback controller for a linear physical system. To do this you need to use the right techniques. For example, applying anti-windup and bumpless transfer schemes, selecting resolution and sample rate.

Can you properly communicate your core findings? And justify your choices? During this module, you’ll be fine-tuning your communication skills as well.

Finally, you master the skill of actually applying control strategies. So strategies like feedforward, cascade, compensation and override. How? Using frequency-response and root-locus techniques. And you learn to implement a controller on a suitable platform.

Topics:

Analysis of physical systems and/or models
Pole-zero plot, Bode, Nyquist diagrams, step responses
Controller specifications
Analogue and digital feedback controllers
Control strategies

Watch the video about the module Applied Control

Here you can find the calendar for the current and following academic year.

2021-2022 academic year

The 2021-2022 academic year has 42 weeks of education and 32 weeks of classes.
The academic year is divided into 2 semesters, one of 19 and one of 20 weeks.

Semester 1: 30 August 2021 to 30 January 2022
Semester 2: 31 January 2022 to 3 July 2022

Fall holiday	25-10-2021 to 31-10-2021
Christmas holiday	27-12-2021 to 09-01-2022
Spring holiday	28-02-2022 to 06-03-2022
Good Friday	15-04-2022
Easter Monday	18-04-2022
King's day	27-04-2022
May holiday	02-05-2022 to 08-05-2022
Liberation Day	05-05-2022
Ascension Day	26-05-2022 and 27-05-2022
Pentecost Monday	06-06-2022
Conclusion of academic year	04-07-2022 to 10-07-2022
Summer holiday	11-07-2022 to 14-08-2022
Resits and start up*	15-08-2022 to 26-08-2022

*Not all programs have resits after the summer holidays. Check the dates of exams and resits for your program on HAN Insite.

2022-2023 academic year

The 2022-2023 academic year has 42 weeks of education and 32 weeks of classes.
The academic year is divided into 2 semesters: one of 19 and one of 20 weeks.

Semester 1: 29 August 2022 to 29 January 2023
Semester 2: 30 January 2023 to 7 July 2023

HAN Intro	22-8-2022 to 26-8-2022
Fall holiday	22-10-2022 to 30-10-2022
Christmas holiday	24-12-2022 to 8-1-2023
Spring holiday	18-2-2023 to 26-2-2023
Good Friday	7-4-2023
Easter Monday	10-4-2023
King's Day	27-04-2023
May holiday	27-4-2023 to 7-5-2023
Liberation Day	5-5-2023
Ascension Day and day following	18-5-2023 and 19-5-2023
Pentecost Monday	29-5-2023
Conclusion academic year	3-7-2023 to 7-7-2023
Summer holiday	10-7-2023 to 13-8-2023
Resits and start up*	14-8-2023 to 25-8-2023

*Not all programs have resits after the summer holidays. Check the dates of exams and resits for your program on HAN Insite.

Here's the schedule of modules and subjects for the Master in Engineering Systems in 2021-2022.

Semester 1: August - January

Monday	Systems Modeling
	Big Data and Small Data
Tuesday	Advanced Vehicle Dynamics
	Process Development
Wednesday	Applied Control
	How to Write a Thesis (terms 1 & 2)
Thursday	Electric, Hybrid & Fuel-Cell Powertrains
	Smart Vehicles
	Sustainable Energy Systems
Friday	Mathematics

Semester 2: February - July

Monday	Systems Modeling
	Big Data and Small Data
Tuesday	Smart Vehicles
	Product Development
	Sustainable Energy Systems
Wednesday	Applied Control
	Advanced Vehicle Dynamics
	Distributed Systems
	Sustainable Fuels, Engines and Emissions
	How to Write a Thesis (terms 3 & 4)
Thursday	Electric, Hybrid & Fuel-Cell Powertrains
	Smart Infrastructure
	Process Development
	Smart Power Supply
	Advanced Controller Design

Finished all the theory? Including labs and minors? Now it’s time for your graduation project. Apply the principles of the program to a real-life industrial setting. Use your technical aptitude. Prove your ability to manage a project. And show your skills in communicating, reporting and presenting.

All master graduation projects are motivated by real-life problems. In most cases, the graduation project-related research is carried out at a company. That means a representative of the company is involved to verify:

(1) whether the thesis results match the expectations of the company.

(2) whether the rated aspects of the master graduation project are relevant for the company.

This gives us valuable feedback on the professional requirements for the intended learning outcomes.

The problem to be solved requires an understanding and active analysis of distinctive disciplines. The project will always include the step from a real-life problem to a more abstract representation of the problem. This restricted representation of the real world is then the basis for the problem analysis. How will you go about this? Using the tools and methods you’ve learned about in the modules.

The problem analysis then leads to a problem solution. Finally, conclusions are drawn about the extent to which the problem has been solved and the objectives fulfilled.

Procedure

During a period of 5-6 months (study load of 840 hours) you will complete a project in an industrial and/or research environment. This project will be supervised by a HAN staff member and an industrial supervisor from the supporting company.

This project will require you to prove your ability to manage a project. You will also need to demonstrate your skills in communicating, reporting and presenting.

You’ll conclude the project by writing a major project, which you will present in an oral examination to a panel. On the panel will be your two supervisors, a further examiner (HAN) and an external expert.

Your choice of setting

You can do your graduation project at the company or institution of your choice. There are conditions though. The company needs to be able to provide a proper assignment, working environment and support. You may also opt to complete the project in a research setting. At HAN University of Applied Sciences or at one of our many partner universities.

Finished all the theory? Including labs and minors? Now it’s time for your graduation project. Apply the principles of the program to a real-life industrial setting. Use your technical aptitude. Prove your ability to manage a project. And show your skills in communicating, reporting and presenting.

All master graduation projects are motivated by real-life problems. In most cases, the graduation project-related research is carried out at a company. That means a representative of the company is involved to verify:

(1) whether the thesis results match the expectations of the company.

(2) whether the rated aspects of the master graduation project are relevant for the company.

This gives us valuable feedback on the professional requirements for the intended learning outcomes.

The problem to be solved requires an understanding and active analysis of distinctive disciplines. The project will always include the step from a real-life problem to a more abstract representation of the problem. This restricted representation of the real world is then the basis for the problem analysis. How will you go about this? Using the tools and methods you’ve learned about in the modules.

The problem analysis then leads to a problem solution. Finally, conclusions are drawn about the extent to which the problem has been solved and the objectives fulfilled.

Procedure

During a period of 5-6 months (study load of 840 hours) you will complete a project in an industrial and/or research environment. This project will be supervised by a HAN staff member and an industrial supervisor from the supporting company.

This project will require you to prove your ability to manage a project. You will also need to demonstrate your skills in communicating, reporting and presenting.

You’ll conclude the project by writing a major project, which you will present in an oral examination to a panel. On the panel will be your two supervisors, a further examiner (HAN) and an external expert.

Your choice of setting

You can do your graduation project at the company or institution of your choice. There are conditions though. The company needs to be able to provide a proper assignment, working environment and support. You may also opt to complete the project in a research setting. At HAN University of Applied Sciences or at one of our many partner universities.

In the 1st semester you follow 2 compulsory modules: Systems Modelling and Applied Control. Below you can find a detailed description and a video for each of these modules.

Systems Modelling

Here you learn to create a white-box model of a real-world process in the electrical, mechanical and chemical domain. How? Using the 4+1 step approach.

You learn to use model representations such as differential equations, transfer functions and state space. And you discover the ins and outs of tools such as Bode plots and Nyquist diagrams.

What about simulating your model? For that you become proficient in MATLAB Simulink. And to conclude the modelling process, you validate your model and estimate its parameters.

Part of this 1st module is strengthening your project and research skills.

Topics:

Applied physics
Introduction to modelling
Practice modelling and simulation
Energy-based modelling
System identification
Minor project modelling systems (includes research skills)

Watch the video about the module Systems Modelling

Applied Control

The Applied Control module starts with analyzing a physical system and/or a model. This might be a 1st order, 2nd order or higher order system. Or a linear or nonlinear model or SISO/MIMO system.

You master techniques such as pole–zero plot, Bode, Nyquist diagrams and step responses. These techniques are for determining the requirements of the controlled system. Another important skill you work on is discussing controller specifications with a client. So discussing specifications like stability, offset, settling time, overshoot, phase and gain margin.

You also learn to create an analogue and/or digital feedback controller for a linear physical system. To do this you need to use the right techniques. For example, applying anti-windup and bumpless transfer schemes, selecting resolution and sample rate.

Can you properly communicate your core findings? And justify your choices? During this module, you’ll be fine-tuning your communication skills as well.

Finally, you master the skill of actually applying control strategies. So strategies like feedforward, cascade, compensation and override. How? Using frequency-response and root-locus techniques. And you learn to implement a controller on a suitable platform.

Topics:

Analysis of physical systems and/or models
Pole-zero plot, Bode, Nyquist diagrams, step responses
Controller specifications
Analogue and digital feedback controllers
Control strategies

Watch the video about the module Applied Control

In the 2nd semester you take the modules Lean Process Development and Lean Product Development. You can also follow the theory of Big Data and Small Data.

Lean Process Development

In this module you learn and apply lean principles and methods for the design, operational control and improvement of manufacturing processes. You gain a broad and deep knowledge in several operations management topics, such as manufacturing strategy, operations design, planning and control, improvement methods and the role of technology in the improvement of processes. You apply this knowledge in an improvement project in the industry where they use the (PDCA) A3 methodology and reporting method. This methodology consists of context analysis, describing the current state, formulating objectives, future state design, implementation planning and follow-up design. You also learn from scientific literature and show the ability to link this literature to their own industrial project. There is a special focus in this module on the application of technology in process (re-)design.

Lean Product Development

In this module you learn and apply lean principles and methods in the design and improvement of products. You gain a broad and deep knowledge in several product design and development topics, such as opportunity identification, product planning, concept generation and selection, product architecture, DfX methods and important tools like Quality Function Deployment and Value Engineering. FFD and MFD strategy, operations design, planning and control, opportunity identification and the role of technology in the improvement of products. You learn what lean concepts and methods are that can be used in product development and design. This knowledge is applied in an improvement project in the industry where you use the (PDCA) A3 methodology and reporting method.

Big Data & Small Data

Note: this module is not part of this track, but you can follow the theory if you wish.

This module gives you the skills to make models of complex and non-linear systems. The method? Black-box modelling. You’ll learn techniques such as system identification and creating ARMAX and FIR models. We also take a look at fuzzy, neural networks, PLS and PCA.

What about systems with binary inputs or outputs? You learn to deal with those too. And you become skilled at making hybrid models. These combine the techniques of white- and black-box modeling.

Part of this module is a minor project. Here you focus on the application area of your choice. This could be big data analysis in energy management. Or degrees of freedom and friction in robotics. Or a project on Model Predictive Control.

Topics

System identification
State and parameter estimation
Advanced modelling (minor project)

Watch the video about the module Big Data & Small Data

To follow this program in part-time you need to be an EU/EEA citizen. This is because of visa requirements. As a part-time student, you might be eligible for exemptions. Also, scholarships are usually only for full-time students. So here we also give you tips on reducing your costs.

Exemptions
Part-time students often have prior work experience. Can you show you’ve already covered certain units in the curriculum? Then you may be exempt from parts of the program. You can indicate this on your application.

Tuition fees: reducing your costs
Subsidies. Tax deductions. Grants in the field. An employer who pays part of the costs. A loan from family. There are lots of ways to cover your tuition fee.

This master degree benefits you, but also your employer. That’s why many employers are willing to contribute to study costs. Is your workplace in the Netherlands? Your organization can probably get a special subsidy from the Dutch government called ‘Praktijkleren’.

Want help drawing up a proposal for this subsidy? We can help you substantiate the program’s benefits for you and your organization. We can also schedule a meeting with you and your manager to discuss the benefits of the program.

Paying your own study costs? In most cases you can declare these costs on your income tax return. Read more about declaring study costs on the website of the tax office.

In the 2nd semester you take the modules Lean Process Development and Lean Product Development. You can also follow the theory of Big Data and Small Data.

Lean Process Development

In this module you learn and apply lean principles and methods for the design, operational control and improvement of manufacturing processes. You gain a broad and deep knowledge in several operations management topics, such as manufacturing strategy, operations design, planning and control, improvement methods and the role of technology in the improvement of processes. You apply this knowledge in an improvement project in the industry where they use the (PDCA) A3 methodology and reporting method. This methodology consists of context analysis, describing the current state, formulating objectives, future state design, implementation planning and follow-up design. You also learn from scientific literature and show the ability to link this literature to their own industrial project. There is a special focus in this module on the application of technology in process (re-)design.

Lean Product Development

In this module you learn and apply lean principles and methods in the design and improvement of products. You gain a broad and deep knowledge in several product design and development topics, such as opportunity identification, product planning, concept generation and selection, product architecture, DfX methods and important tools like Quality Function Deployment and Value Engineering. FFD and MFD strategy, operations design, planning and control, opportunity identification and the role of technology in the improvement of products. You learn what lean concepts and methods are that can be used in product development and design. This knowledge is applied in an improvement project in the industry where you use the (PDCA) A3 methodology and reporting method.

Big Data & Small Data

Note: this module is not part of this track, but you can follow the theory if you wish.

This module gives you the skills to make models of complex and non-linear systems. The method? Black-box modelling. You’ll learn techniques such as system identification and creating ARMAX and FIR models. We also take a look at fuzzy, neural networks, PLS and PCA.

What about systems with binary inputs or outputs? You learn to deal with those too. And you become skilled at making hybrid models. These combine the techniques of white- and black-box modeling.

Part of this module is a minor project. Here you focus on the application area of your choice. This could be big data analysis in energy management. Or degrees of freedom and friction in robotics. Or a project on Model Predictive Control.

Topics

System identification
State and parameter estimation
Advanced modelling (minor project)

Watch the video about the module Big Data & Small Data

Finished all the theory? Including labs and minors? Now it’s time for your major project. Apply the principles of the program to a real-life industrial setting. Use your technical aptitude. Prove your ability to manage a project. And show your skills in communicating, reporting and presenting.

All major projects are motivated by real-life problems. In most cases, the research is carried out at a company. That means a representative of your company is involved to verify:

whether the thesis results match the expectations of the company.
whether the rated aspects of the master graduation project are relevant for the company.

This gives us valuable feedback on the professional requirements for the intended learning outcomes.

The problem to be solved requires an understanding and active analysis of distinctive disciplines. The project will always include the step from a real-life problem to a more abstract representation of the problem. This restricted representation of the real world is then the basis for the problem analysis. How will you go about this? Using the tools and methods you’ve learned about in the modules.

The problem analysis then leads to a problem solution. Finally, conclusions are drawn about the extent to which the problem has been solved and the objectives fulfilled.

Learning Outcomes

During the major project you learn to:

1. Analyze and define problems

Critically analyze the engineering problem through active communication with the problem owner.
Based on this analysis, formulate a problem, come up with feasible approaches towards a solution, draw scientifically valid conclusions and make recommendations, again to be communicated again to the problem owner.

2. Design

Systematically translate the engineering problem to a model at an abstract level, (i.e. reducing it to its essentials in terms of model and problem requirements).
Validate results against the real-life situation and problem formulation.

3. Test

Systematically translate the engineering problem to a concrete level.
Validate results against the real-life situation and problem formulation.

4. Manage work processes

Place engineering activities within the perspective of engineering company processes, including quality control principles.
Incorporate the economical (cost) and societal (safety, sustainability) consequences in the design or development process.

5. Conduct research

Gain specialized scientific knowledge and skills in the field of engineering.

6. Communicate and collaborate

Work on a problem within a multidisciplinary context in an industrial environment.
Work on a problem in an international engineering context in an industrial environment.

7. Work on your professional development

Through self-reflection, improve one’s own professional performance

Procedure

The project is completed during a period of 5 -6 months (study load of 840 hours). You’ll be supervised by a HAN staff member and an industrial supervisor from the supporting company.

This project requires you to prove your ability to manage a project. You’ll also need to demonstrate your skills in communicating, reporting and presenting.

You conclude the project by writing a thesis, which you present in an oral examination to a panel. On the panel will be your  2 supervisors, a further examiner (HAN) and an external expert.

Project setting

You can do the major project at the company or institution of your choice. There are conditions though. The company needs to be able to provide a proper assignment, working environment and support. You may also opt to complete the project in a research setting. At HAN University of Applied Sciences or at one of our many partner universities.

Program

Lean Engineering in a nutshell

Systems Modeling and Applied Control

Compulsory modules

Academic calendar

Modules and lecture days

Track-specific modules

Modules

Project on lean processes or products

Major project

Master of Science

Master of Science

next page: Careers

Master in Engineering Systems Compulsory modules

2021-2022 & 2022-2023 Academic calendar

2021-2022 academic year

2022-2023 academic year

Master in Engineering Systems Modules and lecture days 2021-2022

Graduation project

Graduation project

Procedure

Your choice of setting

Lean Engineering Modules in the 1st semester

Lean Engineering Modules in the 2nd semester

Studying in part-time

Lean Engineering Modules in the 2nd semester

Master in Engineering Systems Major Project