Design of a Process Control Laboratory Curriculum Incorporating Simulation Modules and Hands-On Training for Enhanced Learning Experience

Integrating Industry 4.0 principles into laboratory programs is essential for mastering modern process control. However, many existing curricula rely heavily on direct instrument use, which may not fully prepare students for Industry 4.0 requirements. In response, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS has i...

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Main Authors: Serene Sow Mun Lock, Irene Sow Mei Lock, Lam Ghai Lim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academica Press Solutions 2025-02-01
Series:Malaysia Journal of Invention and Innovation
Online Access:https://digit360.com.my/mjii/index.php/home/article/view/126
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author Serene Sow Mun Lock
Irene Sow Mei Lock
Lam Ghai Lim
author_facet Serene Sow Mun Lock
Irene Sow Mei Lock
Lam Ghai Lim
author_sort Serene Sow Mun Lock
collection DOAJ
description Integrating Industry 4.0 principles into laboratory programs is essential for mastering modern process control. However, many existing curricula rely heavily on direct instrument use, which may not fully prepare students for Industry 4.0 requirements. In response, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS has introduced an updated, simulation-focused curriculum, starting with the CEB3032 Chemical Engineering Laboratory III course for the January and May 2021 cohorts, which included 207 and 162 students, respectively. These cohorts faced limited hands-on training opportunities due to COVID-19, underscoring the need for enhanced practical skill development through simulation. To prepare, the university carefully selected suitable experiments for process simulation, modeling them using dynamic simulation tools. Students were exposed to methodologies such as Euler's, Runge-Kutta, and Gear methods for lumped parameter systems, and finite difference methods for distributed systems, to understand the calculation basis underlying the dynamic system. Within this curriculum, students participated in simulation creation, experimentation, results documentation, and comparison with conventional laboratory results. Advanced Bloom's Taxonomy and the Five Es Inquiry-Based Learning model were key components, allowing students to design their own labs and explore foundational control principles. Feedback and performance metrics highlighted the program's success, with improved student performance indicators, including higher rates of top grades (e.g., A's) and a rise in median scores. Approximately 30% more students earned grades from B to A, and many reported that process simulation had significantly strengthened their ability to apply theoretical knowledge in laboratory settings. This approach's success points to its potential for broader academic adoption, offering a scalable, cost-effective model adaptable to various engineering curricula using existing simulation resources.
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spelling doaj-art-c263b18a83e74c43a0a21485118b406d2025-02-12T07:26:09ZengAcademica Press SolutionsMalaysia Journal of Invention and Innovation2976-21702025-02-0142Design of a Process Control Laboratory Curriculum Incorporating Simulation Modules and Hands-On Training for Enhanced Learning ExperienceSerene Sow Mun Lock0Irene Sow Mei Lock1Lam Ghai Lim2Universiti Teknologi PETRONASPETRONAS Group Technical Solutions Sdn BhdMonash University MalaysiaIntegrating Industry 4.0 principles into laboratory programs is essential for mastering modern process control. However, many existing curricula rely heavily on direct instrument use, which may not fully prepare students for Industry 4.0 requirements. In response, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS has introduced an updated, simulation-focused curriculum, starting with the CEB3032 Chemical Engineering Laboratory III course for the January and May 2021 cohorts, which included 207 and 162 students, respectively. These cohorts faced limited hands-on training opportunities due to COVID-19, underscoring the need for enhanced practical skill development through simulation. To prepare, the university carefully selected suitable experiments for process simulation, modeling them using dynamic simulation tools. Students were exposed to methodologies such as Euler's, Runge-Kutta, and Gear methods for lumped parameter systems, and finite difference methods for distributed systems, to understand the calculation basis underlying the dynamic system. Within this curriculum, students participated in simulation creation, experimentation, results documentation, and comparison with conventional laboratory results. Advanced Bloom's Taxonomy and the Five Es Inquiry-Based Learning model were key components, allowing students to design their own labs and explore foundational control principles. Feedback and performance metrics highlighted the program's success, with improved student performance indicators, including higher rates of top grades (e.g., A's) and a rise in median scores. Approximately 30% more students earned grades from B to A, and many reported that process simulation had significantly strengthened their ability to apply theoretical knowledge in laboratory settings. This approach's success points to its potential for broader academic adoption, offering a scalable, cost-effective model adaptable to various engineering curricula using existing simulation resources. https://digit360.com.my/mjii/index.php/home/article/view/126
spellingShingle Serene Sow Mun Lock
Irene Sow Mei Lock
Lam Ghai Lim
Design of a Process Control Laboratory Curriculum Incorporating Simulation Modules and Hands-On Training for Enhanced Learning Experience
Malaysia Journal of Invention and Innovation
title Design of a Process Control Laboratory Curriculum Incorporating Simulation Modules and Hands-On Training for Enhanced Learning Experience
title_full Design of a Process Control Laboratory Curriculum Incorporating Simulation Modules and Hands-On Training for Enhanced Learning Experience
title_fullStr Design of a Process Control Laboratory Curriculum Incorporating Simulation Modules and Hands-On Training for Enhanced Learning Experience
title_full_unstemmed Design of a Process Control Laboratory Curriculum Incorporating Simulation Modules and Hands-On Training for Enhanced Learning Experience
title_short Design of a Process Control Laboratory Curriculum Incorporating Simulation Modules and Hands-On Training for Enhanced Learning Experience
title_sort design of a process control laboratory curriculum incorporating simulation modules and hands on training for enhanced learning experience
url https://digit360.com.my/mjii/index.php/home/article/view/126
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