SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES

Sensors are a key field of high technologies constantly growing in scope and significance both in theory and applications. The field has seen a rather significant growth of knowledge and understanding of the situation and development trends in sensor technologies, however the knowledge is not linked and oriented enough in order to support the high-tech development efforts. The IPS ..

Programme Description

Sensors help us recognise certain conditions in the environment in real time and react to them in a targeted manner. Therefore, their application stretches to almost all fields of human activity. In times of increased economic and environmental challenges, sensors have become a significant integral part of all “smart” products and thus a promising opportunity for the industry. Their manufacture demands fast developing high technologies, therefore this field of research also presents a scientific challenge.   

We are all familiar with acoustic sensors, especially microphones. While using touch-sensitive devices, we tend to forget that this is actually made possible by sensors. Our cars are full of sensors for regulating the running of the motor, speed, fuel consumption, temperature and ventilation. Physical and chemical sensors enable identifying air quality and especially dangerous gases, the “electronic nose” warns us about different odours, and the smoke detector about the potential fire hazard. All sorts of sensors help us avoid dangerous radiation. Electrical sensors enable measuring the electric current and potential, while magnetic sensors help us detect hidden metals. Environmental sensors are essential for monitoring pollution and we can also use them to detect humidity. We use sensors to measure flows, especially of water, gas, and also solids, as well as shifts and tremors. We determine positions, angles, distances, speed, acceleration, and shock. With sensors we can also identify colours, we use them as photodetectors, and to track waves. A whole range of sensors helps regulate pressure, even the extremely precise level of blood pressure during operation. Currently biosensors are widely used, among them nanosensors which promise significant progress, especially in relation to healthcare.

To develop and manufacture so many various sensors, complex sensor technologies are used which evolve fast based on outstanding achievements of physical, chemical and biological sciences. Various data, which are provided by sensors, call for developed possibilities of measuring, systematic data compilation, identifying knowledge patterns, as well as formulating high probability hypotheses and testing them.

The field of sensors has seen a rather significant growth of knowledge and understanding of the situation and development trends in sensor technologies in Slovenia. The IPS programme aims to bring together, in a targeted manner, the knowledge and renowned international experts in order to educate outstanding scientists to support the breakthrough of economic development projects in the world market of sensor technologies products – while striving for a balanced sustainable development at the same time.

Credit Framework (ECTS)

Total number of ECTS for the third-cycle study programme 180 ECTS
Required Courses 60 ECTS
Elective Courses 20 ECTS
Individual Research Work 70 ECTS
Doctoral Dissertation 30 ECTS

Curriculum

1st YEAR (ECTS)

Required Courses (20 ECTS)
Sensors and Sensor Technologies (5 ECTS)
Metrology in Sensor Technologies (5 ECTS)

Seminar I (10 ECTS)

Elective Courses (20 ECTS)
The courses are listed below.

Out of all the courses the student can select max. one general course:

- Economics and Society (5 ECTS)
- Industrial Seminar (5 ECTS)
- Science Communication (5 ECTS)
- Contemporary Mathematical and Statistical Methods in Natural Sciences and Engineering (5 ECTS)
- Preparation of Patent Application (5 ECTS)

Individual Research Work 1 (20 ECTS)

2nd YEAR (ECTS)

Required Courses (30 ECTS)

Seminar II (30 ECTS)

Individual Research Work 2 (30 ECTS)

3rd YEAR (ECTS)

Required Courses (10 ECTS)

Seminar III (10 ECTS)

Individual Research Work 3 (20 ECTS)

Doctoral Dissertation (30 ECTS)

Courses

Course Module Professor ECTS
Advances in Acquisiton and Analysis of Ionizing Photon and Particle Sensor Signals ST3 doc. dr. Klemen Bučar 5 ECTS
Artificial Intelligence for Science ST3,IKT3,NANO3,EKO3 prof. dr. Sašo Džeroski 5 ECTS
Ceramic Materials and Technologies for Sensors of Physical Quantities ST3 prof. dr. Tadej Rojac 10 ECTS
Computer Vision ST3 izr. prof. dr. Aleš Ude 5 ECTS
Contemporary Mathematical and Statistical Methods in Natural Sciences and Engineering ST3,IKT3,NANO3,EKO3 prof. dr. Matjaž Omladič 5 ECTS
Detector Systems and Methods for High Energy Resolution X-ray Measurements ST3 izr. prof. dr. Matjaž Kavčič 5 ECTS
Doctoral Dissertation ST3,IKT3,NANO3,EKO3 Prof. dr. Predstojnik / Head of Programme 30 ECTS
Economics and Society ST3,IKT3,NANO3,EKO3 prof. dr. Aleksander Zidanšek 5 ECTS
Electrochemical Sensors ST3 izr. prof. dr. Kristina Žužek 5 ECTS
Electromagnetic Sensors ST3 prof. dr. Aleksander Zidanšek 5 ECTS
From Environment to Neuronal Networks ST3 izr. prof. dr. Meta Virant-Doberlet 5 ECTS
Gas Sensors ST3 prof. dr. Uroš Cvelbar 5 ECTS
Hydrogen Detection in Materials and in Gas Phase ST3 doc. dr. Sabina Markelj 5 ECTS
Individual Research Work 1 ST3,IKT3,NANO3,EKO3 Prof. dr. Predstojnik / Head of Programme 20 ECTS
Individual Research Work 2 ST3,IKT3,NANO3,EKO3 Prof. dr. Predstojnik / Head of Programme 30 ECTS
Individual Research Work 3 ST3,IKT3,NANO3,EKO3 Prof. dr. Predstojnik / Head of Programme 20 ECTS
Industrial Seminar ST3,IKT3,NANO3,EKO3 prof. dr. Spomenka Kobe 5 ECTS
Internet Connected Embedded Devices ST3 prof. dr. Mihael Mohorčič 5 ECTS
Interplay Between Crystal Structure and Material’s Sensing Properties ST3 prof. dr. Andreja Benčan Golob 5 ECTS
Ion Beam Analysis ST3 prof. dr. Primož Pelicon 5 ECTS
Local electrical, electromechanical and thermal properties of the sensor materials ST3 izr. prof. dr. Hana Uršič Nemevšek 5 ECTS
Measurement of Black Carbon and Other Carbonaceous Aerosols ST3 izr. prof. dr. Griša Močnik 5 ECTS
Measurement of Nanoparticles in Air ST3 prof. dr. Maja Remškar 5 ECTS
Metrology in Sensor Technologies ST3 prof. dr. Milena Horvat 5 ECTS
Microbial Biosensors: Cells and Cellular Component, Populations and Communities ST3 izr. prof. dr. Aleš Lapanje 5 ECTS
Optical Chemical Sensors ST3 prof. dr. Aleksandra Lobnik 5 ECTS
Photon, Electron and Ion Detection Sensors ST3 doc. dr. Klemen Bučar 5 ECTS
Plasma-assisted Bio-sensing Techniques ST3 prof. dr. Miran Mozetič 5 ECTS
Preparation of Patent Application ST3,IKT3,NANO3,EKO3 prof. dr. Miran Mozetič 5 ECTS
Science Communication ST3,IKT3,NANO3,EKO3 prof. dr. Saša Novak Krmpotič 5 ECTS
Seminar I ST3 prof. dr. Marina Dermastia 10 ECTS
Seminar II ST3 prof. dr. Marina Dermastia 30 ECTS
Seminar III ST3 prof. dr. Marina Dermastia 10 ECTS
Sensor Data Analysis ST3 prof. dr. Dunja Mladenić 5 ECTS
Sensor Networks ST3 izr. prof. dr. Tomaž Javornik 5 ECTS
Sensor Networks for Condition Monitoring of Industrial Assets ST3 prof. dr. Đani Juričić 5 ECTS
Sensors and Sensor Technologies ST3 prof. dr. Barbara Malič 5 ECTS
Sensors in Human Computer Interaction ST3 izr. prof. dr. Gregor Papa 5 ECTS
Sensors in Process Control ST3 prof. dr. Juš Kocijan 5 ECTS
Sensors in Robotics and Biocybernetics ST3 prof. dr. Jan Babič 5 ECTS
Synthetic Biology and Biosensing ST3 prof. dr. Tamara Lah Turnšek 10 ECTS
Whole-cell Biosensors in Toxicology ST3 prof. dr. Metka Filipič 5 ECTS

BASIC OBJECTIVES

The general competences of a graduate are:
• mastering of methods and techniques of scientific research,
• ability to carry out independent as well as team R&D work,
• ability to use the knowledge in practice by working on development projects in the industry,
• ability to solve problems in transferring and adapting new technologies for production,
• ability to integrate into international connections of R&D work,
• ability to take on management functions in the field of business, management, conduct of research and research management.

The study programme offers acquisition of knowledge and development of skills for competent research, transfer of scientific achievements to industrial development, as well as international collaboration in the field of sensor technologies. Competences that the student will acquire in individual courses are described in the course syllabi.

The competences based on the broader orientation of the candidate's study programme are:

• widening and deepening the scientific content, methods and techniques in the selected fields of natural sciences, technologies, engineering and information sciences, which will support strategic choice, development, transfer, optimization, utilization and control of selected sensor technologies for increasing commercial efficiency while benefiting broader social interests concerning sustainable development,
• acquiring expert knowledge and developing skills for their use in order to improve the efficiency of work processes and decision-making,
• developing an integral way of thinking which transcends individual fields and develops the competence to communicate with experts from other disciplines and fields,
• comprehensive definition of problems, systematic approaches and solving complex problems through teamwork,
• decision-making under conditions of uncertainty, and long-term target-oriented strategic planning.

RESEARCH AREAS

The Sensor Technologies programme is an interdisciplinary postgraduate study programme covering the following research fields:

  • Physical and Chemical Sensors,
  • Sensors for Ionizing Photons and Particles,
  • Biosensors,
  • Sensors and Information and Communication Technologies.