Developing the Skills for Successful Automation An Undergraduate Perspective Prof. Dave Povey Chemical Sciences Division Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey

So what do we (as teachers) want from our graduates? To achieve their potential “an awareness of opportunity” To possess “graduateness” What does industry want from our graduates? “A good skills base integrated with subject knowledge”

Communication Teamwork Planning and Organising Problem Solving Initiative Adaptability Numeracy Computer Literacy Self-Reliance Graduate skills should be integrated into the academic experience and be based around specific subject knowledge.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Health and Medical Sciences Management and LawArts and Human Sciences Each Faculty comprises a number of discrete departments

Programmable Logic Controllers Mechanisms for Motion Transmission Electronic Components Simulation of Dynamic Systems Sensors Closed-Loop Control Hydraulic Motion The Engineering Approach “Mechatronics”

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences BSc and MChem Programmes (3 and 4 year) in Chemistry Medicinal Chemistry Computer-Aided Chemistry Chemistry with Forensic Investigation Intake of around 80 per year, range of subject backgrounds Many unaware of how their career might evolve! Nurse Education Postgraduate Medicine Biochemical and Chemical Sciences

Modular Framework – 12 modules per year – common core (9) 1 st Year The Computational Environment - 1 Intro. to hardware + software (VBA) + control systems. Design Exercise - Paper + “speciality options” The.NET Environment Hands on intro. to Visual Basic. The WWW Environment Computer Literacy Problem Solving Self-Reliance Adaptability

2 nd Year The Computational Environment - 2 Hands-on interfacing (wiring and soldering, sensors, auto-titrator, traffic lights simulator) The.NET Environment Hands on intro. to C++ OpenGL Cheminformatics and Modelling Computer Literacy Problem Solving Self-Reliance Adaptability TeamworkCommunication Initiative Numeracy

FUN!

Professional Training Developing Skills in an Industrial Environment 1 Year

Final Year Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry Chemometrics, Robotics and Automation Advanced Modelling + 1 Year Project (1/3 rd of year) + Chemistry Core = Skilled Graduate possessing awareness of opportunities

Lego MINDSTORMS Relatively cheap and modular Students are familiar with the Lego concept Students can see components reflected in the terminology they are familiar with Touch sensor, light sensor, servo motors, microcontrollers

and the concepts of programmability.

But we are conscious that it is too easy to trivialise with a kit like this. It has to be thought through carefully. And finally

Questions?