Apply now
Master'sRobotics, Automation & Control Applications open

Master’s in Nonlinear and Fault-Tolerant Control Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in nonlinear and fault-tolerant control engineering, structured in 12 modules covering Lyapunov stability, nonlinear design, underactuated systems, model-based and data-driven fault diagnosis, passive and active fault-tolerant control and functional safety under IEC 61508 and ISO 26262, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

Take the controls.

Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Analyse nonlinear systems with Lyapunov tools.

02

Design robust nonlinear controllers.

03

Control underactuated mechanical systems.

04

Detect and isolate faults using models and data.

05

Design fault-tolerant control strategies.

06

Relate diagnostics to functional safety.

07

Validate fault-tolerant systems through fault injection.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Advanced control engineers working on safety-critical or autonomous systems.
  • Fault diagnosis specialists.
  • Functional safety engineers who need a deeper grasp of diagnostics and reconfiguration.
  • Researchers in nonlinear systems.
  • Aeronautical systems engineers.
  • Reliability engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the automotive sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 61508-2:2010 (functional safety: hardware requirements for E/E/PE systems)
  • ISO 26262-5:2018 (road vehicle functional safety: hardware level)
  • IEC 61511-1:2016 (safety instrumented systems for the process industry)
  • IEC 60812:2018 (failure modes and effects analysis, FMEA)
  • IEC 61025:2006 (fault tree analysis, FTA)
  • RTCA DO-178C (software considerations in airborne systems)
  • ARP4761A (safety assessment process for civil aircraft)
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • CasADi
  • MATLAB Predictive Maintenance Toolbox
  • Python
  • Modelica
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Equilibrium points and linearisation
  2. 1.2Phase plane and trajectories
  3. 1.3Limit cycles and oscillations
  4. 1.4Bifurcations and chaos
  5. 1.5Existence and uniqueness of solutions
  6. 1.6Typical nonlinearities: saturation and friction
  7. 1.7Describing function method
  8. 1.8Examples in robotics and processes
  9. 1.9Numerical simulation of nonlinear systems
  10. 1.10Practical: phase plane analysis
  1. 2.1Stability in the sense of Lyapunov
  2. 2.2Direct method and candidate functions
  3. 2.3LaSalle's invariance principle
  4. 2.4Exponential and asymptotic stability
  5. 2.5Input-to-state stability (ISS)
  6. 2.6Passivity and dissipativity
  7. 2.7Cascaded and interconnected systems
  8. 2.8Circle and Popov criteria
  9. 2.9Estimation of regions of attraction
  10. 2.10Workshop: Lyapunov functions with SOS
  1. 3.1Exact feedback linearisation
  2. 3.2Zero dynamics and minimum phase
  3. 3.3Backstepping with integral action
  4. 3.4Passivity-based control
  5. 3.5Sliding mode control
  6. 3.6Chattering and higher-order sliding modes
  7. 3.7Control with barrier functions
  8. 3.8Nonlinear adaptive control
  9. 3.9Nonlinear observers
  10. 3.10Lab: sliding mode control of a robot
  1. 4.1Inverted and Furuta pendulums
  2. 4.2Cranes and suspended loads
  3. 4.3Energy shaping control
  4. 4.4Partial feedback linearisation
  5. 4.5Swing-up and stabilisation
  6. 4.6Robots with elastic joints
  7. 4.7Underwater and aerial vehicles
  8. 4.8Control of nonholonomic systems
  9. 4.9Comparison of techniques
  10. 4.10Practical: swing-up of a Furuta pendulum
  1. 5.1Fault types: sensors, actuators and components
  2. 5.2Abrupt, incipient and intermittent faults
  3. 5.3Modelling additive and multiplicative faults
  4. 5.4Consequences for safety and availability
  5. 5.5FMEA of control systems
  6. 5.6Fault tree analysis (FTA)
  7. 5.7Hardware and analytical redundancy
  8. 5.8IFAC SAFEPROCESS committee terminology
  9. 5.9Historical fault cases
  10. 5.10Case study: FMEA of a servo drive
  1. 6.1Residual generation
  2. 6.2Diagnostic observers
  3. 6.3Parity equations
  4. 6.4Parameter estimation for diagnosis
  5. 6.5Kalman filters for detection
  6. 6.6Adaptive thresholds and statistical tests
  7. 6.7Robustness to uncertainty
  8. 6.8Fault isolation with structured residuals
  9. 6.9Structural diagnosability analysis
  10. 6.10Lab: observer bank for sensors
  1. 7.1Principal component analysis
  2. 7.2T² and Q statistics
  3. 7.3PLS for monitoring
  4. 7.4Machine learning for fault classification
  5. 7.5Recurrent networks and time series
  6. 7.6Anomaly detection with autoencoders
  7. 7.7Fusion of models and data
  8. 7.8Benchmark datasets such as Tennessee Eastman
  9. 7.9Validation of diagnostics
  10. 7.10Practical: fault detection on Tennessee Eastman
  1. 8.1Robust design against faults
  2. 8.2Reliable control and redundancy
  3. 8.3Margins against actuator loss
  4. 8.4Fault-tolerant H-infinity design
  5. 8.5Limitations of the passive approach
  6. 8.6Analysis of sensor faults
  7. 8.7Implicit loop reconfiguration
  8. 8.8Assessment of acceptable degradation
  9. 8.9Comparison with active approaches
  10. 8.10Workshop: robust controller against actuator failure
  1. 9.1Detection and reconfiguration architecture
  2. 9.2Control reallocation and control allocation
  3. 9.3Reconfiguration by controller switching
  4. 9.4Pseudo-inverse and actuator mixing
  5. 9.5Fault-tolerant MPC
  6. 9.6Accommodation of sensor faults
  7. 9.7Stability during reconfiguration
  8. 9.8Detection delays
  9. 9.9Graceful performance degradation
  10. 9.10Lab: control reallocation on a multicopter
  1. 10.1IEC 61508 life cycle
  2. 10.2Diagnostic coverage and SFF
  3. 10.31oo2 and 2oo3 architectures
  4. 10.4Diagnostics in automotive systems
  5. 10.5ISO 26262 requirements
  6. 10.6Applications in avionics and DO-178C
  7. 10.7Runtime monitoring
  8. 10.8Fault injection testing
  9. 10.9Documentation for certification
  10. 10.10Case study: diagnostic coverage calculation
  1. 11.1Autonomous vehicles and drive-by-wire systems
  2. 11.2Aircraft and flight control
  3. 11.3Wind turbine control
  4. 11.4Chemical processes and refineries
  5. 11.5Industrial and collaborative robots
  6. 11.6Power grids and converters
  7. 11.7Railway traction and braking
  8. 11.8Nuclear plants: regulatory approach
  9. 11.9Trends in autonomous systems
  10. 11.10Case study: pitch diagnosis in a wind turbine
  1. 12.1Selection of the system and failure modes
  2. 12.2Nonlinear modelling of the system
  3. 12.3Design of the nonlinear controller
  4. 12.4Design of the diagnostic module
  5. 12.5Reconfiguration strategy
  6. 12.6Simulation with fault injection
  7. 12.7Evaluation of stability and performance
  8. 12.8Conclusions and industrial application
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, CasADi, MATLAB Predictive Maintenance Toolbox, Python and Modelica, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: fault diagnosis with observers, fault-tolerant control with fault injection and evaluation of diagnostic coverage. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: IEC 61508-2:2010, ISO 26262-5:2018, IEC 61511-1:2016, IEC 60812:2018, IEC 61025:2006, RTCA DO-178C, ARP4761A.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IEC 61508-2:2010, ISO 26262-5:2018 and IEC 61511-1:2016 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB/Simulink, CasADi, MATLAB Predictive Maintenance Toolbox, Python and Modelica, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:a nonlinear controller with a diagnostic module and reconfiguration strategy, validated through fault-injection simulation, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Nonlinear modelling and control
Model the system and design a nonlinear controller such as sliding mode or backstepping.
Failure mode analysis
Identify the failure modes of the system through FMEA and fault trees.
Diagnostic module
Design observers and residuals to detect and isolate sensor and actuator faults.
Reconfiguration and fault injection
Implement a fault-tolerant strategy and validate it with fault-injection simulation.
Master's Thesis
A complete nonlinear fault-tolerant control system evaluated for stability and performance, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Advanced control engineerFault diagnosis specialistFunctional safety engineerNonlinear systems researcherAeronautical systems engineerReliability engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with MATLAB/Simulink, CasADi, MATLAB Predictive Maintenance Toolbox, Python and Modelica, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent professional experience, plus English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

Keep exploring

Related programmes

See all in Robotics, Automation & Control
Master's8,850 $

Master’s in Welding & Laser Automation

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in welding and laser automation: cladding, cutting and optical safety. 12 modules covering ISO 10218-1 and -2, ISO/TS 15066, ISO…

12–14 monthsOnlineRobotics, Automation & Control
Master's9,970 $

Master’s in Virtual Commissioning Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in virtual commissioning engineering, structured in 12 modules covering virtual plant modelling, controller emulation, software- and hardware-in-the-loop, robot simulation, commissioning…

1900 hOnlineRobotics, Automation & Control
Master's7,730 $

Master’s in Machinery Functional Safety Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in machinery functional safety engineering, structured in 12 modules covering the functional safety framework, risk assessment, safety function specification, architectures…

1900 hOnlineRobotics, Automation & Control
Master’s in Nonlinear and Fault-Tolerant Control EngineeringEnrol
Related programmes

More in Robotics, Automation & Control

Master’s in Predictive Maintenance for Robots & Cells EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Safety, Cyber and Compliance EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Cell and Line Digital Twins EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Multi-Brand Robot Programming EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Model-Based Design EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Industrial Networks, IIoT and TSN EngineeringView programme →

All Robotics, Automation & Control programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships

Scroll to Top
SEIUM – Institute of Advanced Engineering
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.