About the Program
This online certificate program consisting of three courses is geared for individuals looking to enter or move up within the field of automation. This program will also help attendees better manage employees working in this field of technology.
Certificate Requirements
To receive the Process Instrumentation and Control Certificate and 12 Continuing Education Credits (CEU’s), participants must successfully complete the following three courses, maintain at least a "C" average (70%):
- Sensors and Symbology – ENGR 5131
- Control Functions – ENGR 5132
- Installation and Engineering Functions – ENGR 5133
Career Potential
This program is built for engineers, technicians, and technologists to gain an understanding of the field of process automation. Many industries utilize automation including petrochemicals, nuclear, specialty and bulk chemicals, paints, films, power generation, automotive, breweries, rotating machinery and turbines, municipal & industrial waste incineration, coal handling, and steel.
Certificate Prerequisite
It is recommended that the course attendees come from a process industry background.
Meet the Instructor
N.E. (Bill) Battikha, P.E.
Bill is a registered Professional Engineer in Delaware with over 30 years of engineering, management and hands-on experience in the field of Process Instrumentation and Control, working mainly in the USA and Canada. He holds a BS in Engineering.
He has published numerous technical papers and has written four books on Instrumentation and Controls, all published by the ISA, with the third book (The Condensed Handbook of Measurement and Control) becoming a three time best-selling ISA book.
Bill has participated in the creation of many standards including ISA's standards S84 and S91 (safety shutdown systems) and is presently on many committees for other ISA standards under review. He has also performed plant audits and assessments, co-authored a patent and a commercial software package, and acted as a technical advisor in an international court case.
Bill generated courses and conducted instrumentation and control training for the University of Wisconsin, the University of Kansas, the University of Toronto, Dalhousie University, and the ISA. He also developed and conducted in-plant customized training courses and seminars for engineering/technical personnel, operators and sales staff.
If you are unsure about taking this course, potential students may contact the instructor through the program contact at the university.
Course Offerings
Cost: $895 for individual course registration, or
$2,485 for pre-paid registrations for all three courses*.
* Please call 610-396-6221 to register at the pre-paid discount rate.
Instruction Mode: The mode for all three courses in the series is web-based instruction; suggested pace is one topic per week with two-week allowance for the final exam. You may jump between cohorts but must take Sensors and Symbology (ENGR 5131) prior to the other two courses.
Sensors and Symbology (ENGR 5131)
- Welcome and Test Connections
- Introduction
- Identification Symbols
- Analyzer Systems
- Flow measurement
- Level measurement
- Pressure and Temperature measurement
- Online Exam
Dates: May 12 - July 11, 2025
REGISTER online*
Dates: September 8 - November 7, 2025
Register online
*Please contact Erica Kunkel at els5014@psu.edu or 610-396-6221 to register for all three courses at the pre-paid discount rate (do not use the online registration).
Control Functions (ENGR 5132)
- Control Loops
- Programmable Electronic Systems
- Alarm and Trip Systems
- Control Centers and Enclosures
- Control Valves
- Online Exam
Prerequisite: Sensors and Symbology (ENGR 5131).
Dates: March 17 - May 2, 2025
REGISTER ONLINE*
Dates: July 21 - September 12, 2025
Register online
Dates: November 17, 2025 - January 23, 2026
Register online
*Please contact Erica Kunkel at els5014@psu.edu or 610-396-6221 to register for all three courses at the pre-paid discount rate (do not use the online registration).
Installation and Engineering Functions (ENGR 5133)
- Engineering Design and Documentation - Part 1
- Engineering Design and Documentation - Part 2
- Installation
- Project Implementation and Management
- Decision Making
- Online Exam
Prerequisite: Sensors and Symbology (ENGR 5131)
Dates: May 12 - June 27, 2025
REGISTER ONLINE*
Dates: September 22 - November 14, 2025
Register online
*Please contact Erica Kunkel at els5014@psu.edu or 610-396-6221 to register for all three courses at the pre-paid discount rate (do not use the online registration).
