The focus of the programme is about two fast-developing disciplines: AUTOMATION (the use of engineering technologies for making human life easier, which includes subjects like Robotics, Sensors and Actuators, Control, Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems, Smart Structures and Materials etc...) and DESIGN (the use of computational technologies for engineering design and solving engineering problems, which includes subjects like Computer-Aided Design, Artificial Neural Networks, Fuzzy Logic etc...). Both disciplines are heavily related and beneficial to each other.

To specialize on either of the above two disciplines the students have to grasp fundamentals on three traditional disciplines: mechanics, electronics, and computing. The reason is simple. An automation system like robot involves both mechanical components (arms and legs), electronic components (to drive the movements of the elbows and knees), and computing component (to coordinate different system components and plan the overall action). In a similar vein, design involves not only the use of computational and automation tools to allow easy adjustment on the design idea, but also knowledge on the functionalities of different engineering components to achieve an optimal (“best”) design.

The ACE program will equip students with a BROAD and CROSS-DISCIPLINARY training on mechanics, electronics, and computing, and will allow the students to specialize on either Automation or Design stream in their senior years. It is expected that a student opting for the automation stream will elect to take more courses on Automation, while a student in the Design stream will elect to take more courses on Design.

Automation emphasizes more on modern automation technologies, including modern control technology, robotics, micro- and nano- systems, signal processing, manufacturing automation, sensors & actuators, and others. It aims at incorporating both mechanics, electronics and computing technologies in an engineering system (e.g., robot) that could run on its own intelligently for the benefit of humans and society.

The Design steam is about the design of product, multimedia technologies, and mechatronics systems, by the use of various computational and automation tools. Students will be trained to design not only the outlook (aesthetics) of a product, but also the functionality of the product with advanced technological and innovative ideas.

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Because of their broad training, previous graduates of the program have enjoyed a lot of opportunities in a wide sector of industries: Computer-Aided Design, Engineering Innovation, Information Technology, and many others. We expect the ACE graduates will continue to have diverse choices of jobs.

Specifically, graduates of the design stream are able to work in product design and manufacturing companies and contribute on the design of electronics and industrial products, consumer products, toys, multimedia, graphics and animation, and others.

As to the automation stream graduates, it is a misconception that robotics and automation is too advanced for Hong Kong and it could be difficult to develop a career on the discipline. It is quite the opposite. Robotics engineers, and in general automation engineers, could contribute not only to building the entire robot or automation system. Their contribution could take form on elements of robotics and automation like sensors (visual sensors, touch sensor, force sensors, range sensors ...), actuator system design, and design of devices which involve both computer, electronics, and mechanical components. Now that the Science Park and the Cyberport are in sight, talents with cross-disciplinary training will be in even higher demand, and the career prospects for the automation stream graduates will only be brighter.

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The minimum admission requirements are the following:

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