Instrumentation Engineering

What is Instrumentation Engineering

Instrumentation engineering graduates monitor and control machinery. The instruments we have at home or workplaces are all because of these engineers. This stream was branched out of all the other streams in the early 1970s because it was different from the other general streams of electrical and electronic engineering.

The instruments that are used in different industries for measurement are made by instrumentation engineering graduates. They take a look into the principle and the operation of these instruments. The instruments made are automatic and used for measurement purposes in fields of design.

Instrumentation engineering degree holders work in industries and improve productivity, reliability, safety, optimization and stability. These industries should have automated processes that help in improving the above qualities. The candidates studying instrumentation engineering learn about adding sensors to the systems which have recorders, transmitters, displays or control systems. They also have to look into the correct calibration of these instruments, if they are working correctly, therefore, testing them and also maintaining these instruments for future use.

Blood glucose monitors, aircraft sensors and smoke detectors are some of the instruments made by instrumental engineers. They also develop electrocardiograph monitors and scanners. They may even be considered as an important part of the aeronautical projects. Instrumentation engineering graduates' employment may not only be restricted to engineering firms but also can be a part of the defence contractors, biomedical companies, etc.

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Instrumentation Engineering

For Undergraduate Instrumentation Engineering Course

The candidates applying for instrumentation engineering must have passed 10+2 or any equivalent examination from the recognized state or central board with 65% (relaxable for the reserved category) of the marks. Also, candidates must have Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English as the major subjects in class 12 or equivalent examination.

• With the above criteria fulfilled, the candidate will also have to fulfil the individual college’s criteria to take admission.

• For the reserved category candidates, they will have to present a reservation certificate issued by competent authorities for making them available to its benefits.

• Institute would give admission based on the common eligibility test (CET) (like JEE Main, UPSEE, WBJEE, and OJEE). 

For Post-graduate Instrumentation Engineering Course

The PG course in instrumentation engineering is done after the Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. The interested students should have a Bachelor’s Degree, such as a B.E./B.Tech. Degree in Engineering streams such as Electrical, Electronics and Communication, Electrical and Electronics, Mechatronics, Mechanical, Instrumentation and Control Engineering from recognized college or University. The candidate should also have minimum marks required for admission.

Instrumentation Engineering Entrance Exams

The pattern of exam for these entrance exams is mostly same having 3 subjects, i.e. Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Questions are formed from the syllabus of 11th and 12th with a duration of 3 hours. Here are the few entrance exams that candidates need to appear for, to be eligible admission into instrumentation engineering course

• JEE Main- JEE Main is conducted by NTA and is a national-level examination, allowing admission to undergraduate courses in Engineering at various NITs and IIITs. It is conducted online twice a year. 

• JEE Advanced- JEE Advanced is a national-level examination, which allows admission to undergraduate courses at different IITs across India. It is mostly conducted in the month of May. 

• BITSAT- BITSAT is conducted by BITS Pilani, which allows admission to undergraduate engineering courses at different BITS campuses. 

• MHT CET- MHT CET is a state-level examination, which allows admission to undergraduate engineering courses in different engineering colleges in Maharashtra. 

For Post-graduate Instrumentation  Engineering Courses 

• GATE- GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is conducted across India for admissions to postgraduate courses in Engineering at IISc and IITs. This examination is usually conducted in February. 

Required Skillset for Instrumentation Engineering

For a candidate to be selected, he/she should have some skills which are required in any company they join. The following are some of the skills that the candidate pursuing instrumentation engineering should exhibit –

• Problem – solving – The candidate should be able to solve the problems that come up in front of them.

• Creativity – The candidate should be able to think something out of the box to become creative.

• Communication skills – The candidate should have good communication skills to solve their customers’ problem correctly.

• Collaboration – The candidate should be efficient in working with the team. Be interactive with them.

• Attention to detail – The candidate should pay attention to the accuracy of the instruments closely.

• Lifelong learning – The candidates should pay attention to the changing details in the industry to keep themselves regularly updated.