Leading the way to a renewable energy future!

For the past century, power electronics has found its way into a variety of applications, from energy generation and distribution in the multi-megawatt range to traction applications and large motor drives. With the advent of mobile phones and electric vehicles, it arrived in the watt to kilowatt power range. During the same period of time, mercury rectifiers have been replaced by microelectronic devices from the 1950s onwards. These devices became ever more efficient and easier to use, making them an essential part of our everyday life, with applications spanning from battery charging and induction heating to washing machines and heat pumps.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the generation and distribution of renewable energy is one of the most urgent challenges. These topics place an increasing focus on power electronics applications and forge a growing demand for a well-educated workforce.

The master’s course “Industrial Power Electronics” is a state-of-the-art study programme offering students a comprehensive theoretical and practical understanding of modern power electronics components and systems, as well as their applications. Laboratory courses and student projects are therefore an essential part of the educational programme, deepening and consolidating the knowledge acquired in lectures. Moreover, creative ideas can be developed and discussed with professors and fellow students alike. The lectures cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to control theory, design of power electronic circuits and e-mobility.

In addition, students will acquire skills in the field of technical research, such as literature studies, and systematic problem formulation and solving. Moreover, they will gather valuable experience and self-confidence in professional teamwork, communication and discussions with colleagues and external contacts.

Profile

The local power electronics eco-system in Villach with Silicon Austria Labs and the KAI Kompetenzzentrum Automobil- und Industrieelektronik next door and Infineon Technologies nearby ensure that the industrial power electronics course is not only up to date, but also that students can get insights into the academic as well as industrial environments of power electronics.

Thus, the first three semesters cover the field of power electronic concepts, controller design and industrial drives, to mention a few. Moreover, lecturers from industrial partners will give valuable insights into relevant topics of power electronics in their field of expertise. Knowledge acquired through lectures is deepened by laboratory courses and students’ projects.

The last semester is devoted to the master thesis which is done in cooperation with industry or at Silicon Austria Labs. The thesis is accompanied by regular seminars.

Qualification

Students of Industrial Power Electronics, which is a master degree program within the School of Engineering &IT, should demonstrate strengths in technical understanding as well as mathematics and computer skills. Moreover, reasoning power, good English, creativity and enjoyment of innovative developments are beneficial for successfully completing the master course.

The prerequisite for the Master’s degree program is a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of the following ECTS

• Electrical Engineering / Electronics / Circuit Technologies (15 ECTS)
• Mathematics (10 ECTS)
• Physics (8 ECTS)

Key learning outcomes

Graduates of the master degree program Industrial Power Electronics have a broad knowledge in the design and modeling of power electronics systems, such as inverters and motor drives. They have basic knowledge about power electronics devices and their manufacturing, and are abled to design power electronics circuits with given specifications. Moreover, they have practical knowledge in implementing and testing power electronics systems.