Automation & Controls Engineering Technology (AENT), Bachelor of Science
At Dunwoody College of Technology, the Automation & Controls Engineering Technology program provides a bachelor’s completion degree option for graduates of related two-year programs looking to advance into engineering and management positions. Related programs include degrees in electrical maintenance, electronics, mechatronics, industrial controls, and robotics.
The curriculum builds on a foundation in industrial electricity and controls by providing advanced coursework in: electrical CAD; advanced PLC applications; algorithm development; robotics; AC and DC drives; motion control; machine vision; automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs); factory automation; and project management.
Curriculum is lab-intensive, allowing students to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to real-world projects.
Arts & Sciences curriculum supports the technical coursework by enhancing the students’ communication and critical thinking skills.
The program also incorporates a senior capstone project in its final semester that gives students the chance to demonstrate industry-relevant controls engineering experience.
Length of Program: 2 Years (4 semesters)
Classes Offered: Evening
Available Starts: Fall Semester; Spring Semester
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ETAC 1: An ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
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ETAC 2: An ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
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ETAC 3: An ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly-defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature.
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ETAC 4: An ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes.
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ETAC 5: An ability to function effectively as a member, as well as a leader, on technical teams.
Admitted students to Automation & Controls Engineering Technology (AENT) can transfer up to 40 technical credits, 15 General Education elective credits, and 3 Social Science credits. A transfer evaluation is required. Not all credits may transfer into the degree program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer | 55 | |
| General Requirements | ||
| CHEM2000 | Introduction to Chemistry | 3 |
| COMM4100 | Technical Writing Capstone | 3 |
| HUMN2900 | Ethics of Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| MATH1700 | Pre Calculus | 3 |
| MATH1810 | Calculus I | 3 |
| MATH1820 | Calculus II | 3 |
| PHYS1800 | Physics I with Lab | 4 |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| Technical Requirements | ||
| ENGR1110 | Introduction to Engineering | 3 |
| AENT3110 | Advanced Industrial Controllers with Lab | 3 |
| AENT3120 | CAD for Electrical Controls | 2 |
| AENT3130 | Engineering Project Management | 2 |
| AENT3210 | AC, DC & Servo Motor Control with Lab | 3 |
| AENT3220 | Engineering Statics & Dynamics | 3 |
| AENT3230 | Machine Vision & Automated Inspection | 2 |
| AENT3240 | Industrial Networks & lloT | 2 |
| AENT4110 | HMI & SCADA Systems with Lab | 3 |
| AENT4120 | Fluid Power Engineering | 3 |
| AENT4130 | Machine Safety & Risk Assessment | 2 |
| AENT4140 | Autonomous Guided Vehicles | 2 |
| AENT4210 | Industrial Automation with Lab | 3 |
| AENT4220 | Applied Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer | 3 |
| AENT4295 | Senior Capstone Project | 4 |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
The following sample academic plan demonstrates how a student's schedule might look on a semester-by-semester basis, including elective courses. Your actual degree plan may differ from this sequence, depending on whether you start in the fall or spring semester, what transfer credits you may have (if any), and which General Education courses and electives you take and when you take them.
The sample academic plan is for informational purposes only. To determine your academic plan, please meet with an academic advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| AENT3110 | Advanced Industrial Controllers with Lab | 3 |
| AENT3120 | CAD for Electrical Controls | 2 |
| AENT3130 | Engineering Project Management | 2 |
| ENGR1110 | Introduction to Engineering | 3 |
| MATH1700 | Pre Calculus | 3 |
| CHEM2000 | Introduction to Chemistry | 3 |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| AENT3210 | AC, DC & Servo Motor Control with Lab | 3 |
| AENT3220 | Engineering Statics & Dynamics | 3 |
| AENT3230 | Machine Vision & Automated Inspection | 2 |
| AENT3240 | Industrial Networks & lloT | 2 |
| MATH1810 | Calculus I | 3 |
| COMM4100 | Technical Writing Capstone | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| AENT4110 | HMI & SCADA Systems with Lab | 3 |
| AENT4120 | Fluid Power Engineering | 3 |
| AENT4130 | Machine Safety & Risk Assessment | 2 |
| AENT4140 | Autonomous Guided Vehicles | 2 |
| MATH1820 | Calculus II | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| AENT4210 | Industrial Automation with Lab | 3 |
| AENT4220 | Applied Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer | 3 |
| AENT4295 | Senior Capstone Project | 4 |
| HUMN2900 | Ethics of Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| PHYS1800 | Physics I with Lab | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
Descriptions
ENGR1110 | Introduction to Engineering | Lecture (3 Credits)
Explore major topics in Engineering. Provides a pathway to success in the School of Engineering programs, including time management, industry software, study skills, teamwork skills, internship availability and career opportunities.
AENT3110 | Advanced Industrial Controllers with Lab | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Develop foundational skills in PLCs while introducing advanced topics and applications. Advanced applications include control algorithms, structured-text programming and network communications with a focus on system design and integration.
AENT3120 | CAD for Electrical Controls | Lecture (2 Credits)
Use E-CAD software to design and layout electrical and electronic circuits for use in both discrete manufacturing and process control systems.
AENT3130 | Engineering Project Management | Lecture (2 Credits)
Introduction to the tools and processes used to manage complex engineering and technology projects. Utilize industry standard software to develop budgets, timelines and project goals.
AENT3210 | AC, DC & Servo Motor Control with Lab | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Examine the theories, calculations and applications of various motors and controls for the purpose of controlling industrial machinery and processes.
Prerequisite(s): AENT3110
AENT3220 | Engineering Statics & Dynamics | Lecture (3 Credits)
Apply vector algebra and differentiation to forces in equilibrium as well as the effects of forces on the motion of objects.
Prerequisite(s): MATH1810
AENT3230 | Machine Vision & Automated Inspection | Lecture (2 Credits)
Apply computer-based vision systems for automated inspection, data reporting and deep learning. Program and commission vision-based systems to inspect part features for the purpose of quality control and/or machine guidance.
AENT3240 | Industrial Networks & lloT | Lecture (2 Credits)
Determine how industrial networks enable machines to communicate real-time data between sensors, machines and enterprises. Apply networking technology to the interface of controls and sensors using industry-standard network protocols.
AENT4110 | HMI & SCADA Systems with Lab | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Analyze Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and how they are used to display and control remote field devices for industrial processes. Topics include PC-based terminals, human machine interfaces (HMI), network communications and IEC 60870 standards.
Prerequisite(s): AENT3110
AENT4120 | Fluid Power Engineering | Lecture (3 Credits)
Explore the operation, performance characteristics and maintenance of fluid power systems and components. Perform mathematical calculations for application of pumps, motors, valves and cylinders.
AENT4130 | Machine Safety & Risk Assessment | Lecture (2 Credits)
Examine OSHA machine guarding requirements as they pertain to hazard prevention.
AENT4140 | Autonomous Guided Vehicles | Lecture (2 Credits)
Explore issues concerning the use of AGVs in the manufacturing industry, including material flow optimization, material handling and AGV risk factors.
AENT4210 | Industrial Automation with Lab | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
The fundamentals of industrial automation identifies the overlap of several automation components. Programmable controllers, machine vision systems, CNC machines and industrial robots are interfaced. Focus is on the justification for automation and productivity calculations.
AENT4220 | Applied Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer | Lecture (3 Credits)
Apply first and second laws of thermodynamics to closed and open systems. Topics include one-dimensional conduction, convection and radiation.
Prerequisite(s): AENT3220
AENT4295 | Senior Capstone Project | Capstone (4 Credits)
Demonstrate overall content knowledge of the program outcomes through a capstone automation project. Conduct a final presentation of the project and explain how it applies to the engineering program outcomes, with a focus on justification for automation and productivity calculations.
Prerequisite(s): WRIT4020
CHEM2000 | Introduction to Chemistry | Lecture (3 Credits)
Examine contemporary applications of chemistry in such areas as energy, technology and materials, pollution and waste. Applications illustrate many fundamental concepts in chemistry, such as molecular and electronic structure, mixtures, intermolecular forces, phase behavior, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, kinetics, and equilibria. Current and future global challenges are presented and discussed.
General Education: Natural Sciences
COMM4100 | Technical Writing Capstone | Lecture (3 Credits)
Research, plan, and organize professional documents for the capstone project. Topics include assessment techniques, special audience considerations, professional speaking skills, and presentation aids.
General Education: Communications with Writing
HUMN2900 | Ethics of Artificial Intelligence | Lecture (3 Credits)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing how we work and how we live our everyday lives, and new tools are being developed at an astounding pace. From chatbots to robots, AI tools--especially for those in technical fields--are embedded in our professional and personal lives. Making sure they are developed and used ethically, and transparently, is imperative. In this course, you will learn how to identify, analyze, and debate the philosophical issues raised by contemporary and future AI systems.
MATH1700 | Pre Calculus | Lecture (3 Credits)
Preparation for Calculus. Topics include understanding functions from symbolic, tabular, and graphical perspectives. Explore function transformations and composition, polynomial functions, rational polynomial functions, trigonometric functions, exponential functions, and conic sections. The focus is on problem solving using mathematical models to represent real world situations.
General Education: Mathematics
MATH1810 | Calculus I | Lecture (3 Credits)
The fundamental tool used by engineers and scientists to determine critical measurements, such as maximums, minimums and allowable rates of change. Computer software will enable the application of limits, derivatives, transcendental functions, implicit differentiation and related rates.
Prerequisite(s): MATH1700
General Education: Mathematics
MATH1820 | Calculus II | Lecture (3 Credits)
The fundamental tool used by engineers and scientists to determine critical measurements, such as calculating the area under curves or the capacities inside of complex geometries. Computer software will enable the application of the definite integral, the fundamental theorem of calculus, applications of integration, and numerical methods of integration.
Prerequisite(s): MATH1810, Or MATH1811, Or MATH1812
General Education: Mathematics
PHYS1800 | Physics I with Lab | Lecture/Laboratory (4 Credits)
Introduction to mechanics using differential calculus as a foundation. Topics include kinematics and dynamics of linear motion, static equilibrium, the conservation of energy and momentum, mechanics of solids and fluids, and thermodynamics. The laboratory portion incorporates experimentation, instrumentation, and graphical tools to verify calculations in motion, mechanics and thermodynamics.
Prerequisite(s): MATH1810 Or MATH1811
General Education: Physical Sciences with Lab