autumn 2025
ELE-3614 Advanced PLC programming - 5 ECTS

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Type of course

The course can be taken as a single course. Students belonging to Master in Electrical Engineering are prioritised, while other students can sign up provided available laboratory and lecturer capacity.

Admission requirements

A relevant undergraduate Bachelor Engineering program with minimum 25 ects-credits mathematics, 5 ects-credits statistics, 7,5 ects-credits physics.

Application code: 9371

Course content

The course will provide knowledge of advanced programming and use of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), where the purpose is to go beyond the traditional logic automation found in fundamental PLC courses. This includes object oriented industrial programming (OOIP), bus communication between devices, data logging, visualization and how to use the PLC as part of IT/OT software development with cloud connectivity. Technologies such as Docker/container technology, NodeRED, MQTT and Python programming is included.

Recommended prerequisites

ELE-3611 Programming, ELE-3612 Instrumentation and Measuring Systems

Objectives of the course

After completing the subject, the candidate will have the following learning outcome:

Knowledge:

The candidate

  • knows the hardware structure of PLC (programmable logic controllers) based systems
  • is aware of information and operational security challenges and possibilities in PLCs
  • is familiar with the basic programming languages in IEC 61131-3.
  • can explain industrial bus-communication standards relevant for PLCs.
  • has knowledge of IT/OT based software development.

Skills:

The candidate

  • can program and implement a PLC program utilizing analogue and digital inputs and outputs.
  • are able to set up bus-communication between a PLC and external devices based on industrial Ethernet and serial communication standards.
  • can create a HMI (human machine interface) for monitoring, visualizing of data, and apply commands to a PLC based control system.
  • can set up suitable security measures for a PLC based system
  • can use docker container technology to extend PLC functionality
  • can make the PLC communicate with cloud based solutions and implement MQTT.
  • can implement python scripts as part of an PLC program.

General competence:

The candidate

  • has the ability to apply PLC for controlling a process and communicating with external hardware.
  • know how PLCs can be a part of a cloud based solution.

Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

The course includes lectures, online materials and laboratory assignments.

Schedule

Schedule

Examination

Examination: Weighting: Duration: Grade scale:
Portfolio 0/1 A–E, fail F
Oral exam 1/1 20 Minutes A–E, fail F
UiT Exams homepage

More info about the portfolio

The student will individually submit a portfolio with a selection of PLC programming laboratory assignments for evaluation. The students will hand in 4 assignments. Problem description will be provided at course start.

More info about the oral exam

The final grade is based on the submitted portfolio and a individual adjusting oral exam. The portfolio has to be passed with a grade A-E before the student can enter the adjusting oral exam. The whole grade scale can be applied after adjustment.

Re-sit examination

A re-sit opportunity is offered if the portfolio is evaluated as failed with the grade F, where the student can submit an updated portfolio. A new oral examination will be arranged if the updated portfolio is accepted.
  • About the course
  • Campus: Narvik |
  • ECTS: 5
  • Course code: ELE-3614
  • Earlier years and semesters for this topic