Intelligent Systems & Robotics, Ph.D.

Overview

The goal of the Ph.D. program in Intelligent Systems and Robotics is to educate the next generation of educators and researchers in the field. Students will learn to develop leading-edge software and hardware technology to combine human and machine elements together in ways that exploit their respective strengths and mitigate their respective weaknesses.

Program Details

• Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Major: Intelligent Systems & Robotics
• Department: Intelligent Systems and Robotics
• College: Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering
• CIP Code: 11.0102
• Semester Hours Required For Degree: 42-51

The program is comprised of foundational courses in Artificial Intelligence (AI) that address topics including knowledge representation and reasoning, machine learning, computational methods in AI, basic hardware/software interaction, and research methods. After completing the core, students select advanced courses based upon their research interests. Beyond course work, the program's cornerstone will be hands-on research in robotics and AI.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University graduate admission requirements, the department bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

• Submission of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Attainment at the 70% percentile is preferred.
• Hold a master's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or a similar technical degree. Bachelor's candidates with strong relevant industrial experience will be considered.
• Incoming students who do not hold a master's degree in an approved area will be required to complete a minimum of 27 semester hours of content-based coursework in addition to the required 24 semester hours of dissertation.
• Master's or bachelor's institutional GPA - minimum of a 3.0 GPA; however, successful applicants will typically have GPAs well above the minimum.
• Submission of a curriculum vitae (CV)
• Submission of a personal statement addressing the reason for interest in the program, specific research area(s) of interest, and other relevant points.
• Submission of a minimum of three letters of recommendation from academic and professional recommenders attesting to the applicant's graduate studies potential.
• Participation in an oral interview if deemed necessary by the admission committee.
• Those without a background in algorithm analysis, data structures, and advanced computer programming skills will require additional preparatory work.
• Applicants from countries where English is not the official language must also demonstrate proficiency in English.

Program Requirements

GPA Requirements

• Students are required to complete all courses with a grade of "B" or better and maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 or better.

Advancement to Candidacy

• Completion of 18 or 30 semester hours for candidates entering the program with an approved master's or bachelor's degree, respectively.
• Passing a comprehensive qualifying exam with written and oral components.

Dissertation

• All doctoral candidates are required to work with a faculty mentor to conduct, document, and publicly defend a piece of original research.

Core Courses (9 semester hours)

• ISC 6529: Research Methods in Intelligent Systems and Robotics (3 semester hours)
• Choose 2 of the following:
  • EEE 6772: Foundations of Intelligent Systems
  • EEE 6730: Special Topics in Intelligent Systems
  • EML 6805: Foundations for Robotics
  • CAP 6606: Machine Learning for Intelligent Systems and Robotics

Electives (9 semester hours)

• EML 6805: Foundations for Robotics (3 semester hours)
• EEE 6734: Bipedal Walking Robots (3 semester hours)
• EEL 6692: Wearable Robotics (3 semester hours)
• CAP 6667: Advanced Topics in Intelligent Systems & Robotics (3 semester hours)
• ISC 7248: Deep Reinforcement Learning (3 semester hours)
• EEE 6772: Foundations of Intelligent Systems (3 semester hours)
• CAP 6606: Machine Learning for Intelligent Systems and Robotics (3 semester hours)
• CAP 6665: Computer Vision (3 semester hours)
• EEL 6606: Aerial Robotics (3 semester hours)

Dissertation (24 semester hours)

• ISC 8980: Dissertation (1-24 semester hours)

University of West Florida

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Overview:

The University of West Florida (UWF) is a public university offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. It prides itself on providing a personalized learning experience with small class sizes and dedicated faculty. UWF emphasizes a strong student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring individual attention and support.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

UWF offers a vibrant campus community with various facilities and resources. Students can explore the Pensacola campus, UWF Emerald Coast in Fort Walton Beach, UWF Historic Trust in Historic Pensacola, and UWF's downtown Pensacola facilities. A virtual tour is available to experience the campus remotely.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Personalized Attention:

UWF boasts a 100:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention and support from world-renowned professors.

Diverse Programs:

Over 110 undergraduate and graduate programs cater to various interests and career aspirations.

Strong Reputation:

UWF is ranked #100 in the "Top Public School – Regional Universities South" by U.S. News and World Report.

Engaging Campus Life:

UWF offers a vibrant campus community with various facilities and resources, including a virtual tour for remote exploration.

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Academic Programs:

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Other:

UWF actively engages in research and community outreach. Recent initiatives include:

Archaeology Institute Field Schools:

Offering students hands-on experience in archaeological investigations.

HeirStory Project:

Collaborating with a renowned journalist to develop technology for preserving family legacies.

Galapagos Islands Study Abroad:

Providing students with immersive cultural and historical experiences.