pse

Process Systems Engineering (PSE) - Programme

Process Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary programme in chemical engineering and computer-based techniques for design, operation and management in process industries. Students acquire skills in managing, planning and steering production operations and technologies, processes and products. The programme focuses on the scientific aspects of designing and running chemical processes as integrated dynamic production systems.

Teaching applies theory to practice and the wide offering gives students the expertise to take on the varied challenges of the field. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, in addition to quality, individual guidance by teachers and researchers with plenty of experience in the field.

The Challenge

The process industries are currently undergoing a transition from resource-based to knowledge-based economies that are, to an increasing extent, becoming the driving force of economic growth. During the 1990's, Finland managed to make the IT industries the third major export sector alongside the long-established wood-processing industries and traditional industrial sectors. The current challenge is to apply information and communication technologies in these traditional industrial sectors.

The total value of production of the Finnish chemical and biocluster in 2010 was approx. 17 000 million euros. Oil products ad base chemicals amount to approximately 70% of the cluster's volume. The industry employs approx. 36 000 people, of whom more than half are located abroad. Already in the mid 80's, the chemical industry was becoming strongly globalized. A new, knowledge-based industry is gradually evolving parallel to the traditional chemical industry.

Technological development has always been a strong driving force for change in the chemical industry. The main technologies contributing to changes in the industry are material technology, information and communication technology, biotechnology and nanotechnology. The cross-technological approach is leading towards the use of intelligent products, with the result that environmental technologies and sustainable development solutions are gaining in importance.

Focus and Objectives

The study of chemical engineering and computer-based techniques for design, operation and management within the process industries has come to be called process systems engineering (PSE). PSE is concerned with the scientific aspects of the design and operation of a chemical process as an integrated dynamic production system. This integration addresses multiple scales, ranging from product quality control at the micro scale to the optimisation of production at the plant level.

Chemical engineers play a critical role in the development of a wide range of technologies. As such, the PSE interdisciplinary degree offers students the opportunity to obtain a breadth of knowledge and unparalleled academic exposure: Chemical Engineering, Plant design and Process Automation.

The objective of process systems engineering is to provide companies with skilled people capable of developing and maintaining global production systems consisting of production resources and technologies. In doing so, the engineers have to develop skills in managing, planning, and steering production operations, as well as production technologies, processes and their products.

Process Systems Engineering at Aalto University

Process Systems Engineering in the Department of Biotechnology and Chemical Technology in Aalto University School of Chemical Technology offers a unique opportunity for students interested in an international career in leading international companies in the process industries or related areas in Finland and abroad.

The program offers a high standard of teaching led by academic staff with extensive experience in the field. The program is supplemented by leading guest speakers and experts from Finnish companies and from abroad. The M.Sc. program is directed towards the fundamental and application-specific aspects of process- and systems engineering. It emphasizes the multidisciplinary character of the field, paying attention to applications in chemical products, production and plant design.

The combination of this spectrum of research with a wide range of graduate subjects provides a sound basis for students to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary for a successful professional career. It is this combination that prepares Aalto University graduates in Process Systems Engineering to embrace challenging career opportunities and adapt to the changing demands of the profession.