The System Dynamics & Control (SDC) concentration in the Electrical Engineering graduate program offers a wide range of courses in this highly interdisciplinary field. Students study alongside those from other disciplines and learn both advanced theoretical techniques as well as practical real-world application.
The SDC concentration is supported by the Center for Nonlinear Dynamics & Control with core skills in nonlinear systems control, modeling, system identification, analysis, optimization and prognostics & diagnostics. The Center works closely with industry and government funding bodies and operates the following laboratories:
Review of dynamic process modeling, linearization, transfer function and state-space models. Stability and dynamics of open-loop and closed-loop systems. Feedback control system design and analysis in the frequency and time domain. Topics include: Bode, Nyquist, and Root locus design; multivariable control; feedforward control. Prerequisite: Undergraduate background in systems and control.
Introduction to digital control analysis & design techniques applied to discrete-time & sampled continuous-time systems. Sampling, difference equations, the Z-transform & modified Z-transform, discrete transfer function & state-space models, discrete-time regulator & observer design, stability of discrete-time systems, discrete linear quadratic regulator & linear quadratic Gaussian formulation. Prerequisite: EGR 8301 or equivalent with permission of the instructor.
Applied mathematics course tailored to the needs of EE graduate students. Topics: i) Complex variable theory, ii) Sturm-Liouville problem, eigen-function expansion and special functions, iii) Matrix theory, eigen value and diagonalization, iv) Fourier analysis, multi-dimensional Fourier series and transforms, and v) Partial differential equations. Various examples from engineering and physics will be incorporated as appropriate.
Linear transformations and linear optimization as applied to vector spaces. Topics include solution of linear algebraic equations, linear transforms and their matrices, system decomposition (diagonalization), nondiagonalization operators and Jordan form, inner products, orthogonal projection, and pseudoinverse.
Solutions of ordinary differential equations, series solutions, special functions, boundary-value problems, partial differential equations, vector calculus, calculus of variations, and engineering applications. Undergraduate students must obtain permission of the department chair.
Advanced treatment of nonlinear dynamical systems and control theory using modern techniques with applications. Topics include: Lyapunov stability theory, partial stability finite-time stability and control design, control Lyapunov functions, nonlinear optimal control, sliding mode control, and adaptive control.
Prerequisites:
Credit Hours:
3
Last Offered:
Spring 2021, Spring 2019, Spring 2016, Spring 2009
Introduction to system identification techniques for linear systems. Topics include: non-parametric time- and frequency-domain methods, parametric model structures, noise models, parametrc estimation methods, recursive estimation, bias and data pre-filtering, validation methods.
Introduction to feedforward control techniques with an emphasis on model-based methods. Design of feedforward inputs for linear systems, nonlinear systems, nonminimum phase systems, and systems with actuator redundancy; integration of feedforward and feedback; iterative control; dealing with plant uncertainty.
Advanced treatment of various aspects of nonlinear dynamics and control. Prerequisite: Depends on the topic covered each semester. Contact instructor for specific details.
An investigation of a current research topic under the direction of a faculty member. A written report is required. Needs Chairperson's Permission to register for course.
Breadth Courses:
Additional courses may be selected with the approval of your advisor to complement those above and to support your professional interests.
Degree plans must be submitted before registering for your first semester. The degree plan must meet general departmental requirements for graduation, and the specific SDC concentration requirements detailed above. The deadline for the submission of your degree plan for an SDC-Concentration MS degree is:
For full and part-time students: before registering for your first semester.
For 5-year BS/MS students: before registering for fall semester of your senior year.
“Villanova offers a strong research-oriented graduate school program. It has extremely qualified faculty willing to help students excel in their areas of interest.”
“The professors in Electrical Engineering are very easy to work with and the program itself is tailorable. I appreciated how I was able to select classes that matched my professional interests.”
Mark Schaff, Systems Engineering Lead, The Boeing Company
