Industrial Robotics, MSc

Program Overview

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Industrial Robotics, MSc

Introduction

The MSc in Industrial Robotics applies fundamental principles from engineering and artificial intelligence to the understanding and development of robotics technologies for sectors as diverse as manufacturing, energy, transport, logistics, and healthcare.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MSc
• Duration: 12 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• Location of Study: Aberdeen

Robotics is an interdisciplinary and highly dynamic field that ranges from the design of mechanical and electronic components to the development of software used to sense the environment, plan robot motions, and control their execution.

Drawing on core concepts of robotics, AI, and mechatronics, you will study the emerging technologies driving the digital transformation of industry operations and develop the skills and expertise to design robotic systems using advanced algorithms.

You will benefit from hands-on learning and access to our dedicated robotics laboratory, including the Pepper robot, the Panda robot arm, soft actuators, mobile robots, and swarm robotics, which we use to research robotics and AI.

You will learn about the use of real-time data analysis, machine learning in industrial processes, including robot kinematics and dynamics, as well as robot programming and learning. You will also cover mobile and bioinspired robotic technologies, robot localization and mapping, and the design of swarm and soft robotic technologies.

The essential areas of control engineering and mathematical optimization are also covered so that by the end of the taught section of the program, you will have the theoretical and practical tools to design robotic systems for multiple industry sectors such as energy, transport, food, logistics, and manufacturing.

The program concludes with your research-based dissertation project, which will allow you further develop your specialist knowledge and apply the concepts you learn throughout the program.

We welcome students from a broad range of academic backgrounds, including engineering, computer science, or the physical or mathematical sciences, who are looking to advance their specialist knowledge and skills by gaining a higher qualification in this exciting field.

What You'll Study

Stage 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • EG505P Intelligent Robotics for Energy Infrastructure
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
  • Applied Artificial Intelligence (CS5079)
  • Introduction to Mobile Robotics and Bioinspiration (EG504M)
  • Advanced Control Engineering (EE501T)

Stage 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Kinematics and Dynamics of Industrial Robot Arms (EG554V)
  • Industrial Robot Programming and Learning (EG554W)
  • Mathematical Optimization (EG551T)
  • Rehabilitation Engineering and Biomechanics (EG555K)

Stage 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • MSc Individual Project (EG59F1)

Funding Opportunities

• Shell U.K. Limited is offering three £20,000 scholarships for students starting a Masters program aligned with the Centre for Energy Transition (CET) commencing in September 2024.

Scholarships

• All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship.

Related Programs

• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Science
• Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Group Projects
• Individual Projects
• Lab Work
• Lectures
• Seminars

Why Study Industrial Robotics?

• This is the first program in the UK to explicitly target the area of ‘Industrial Robotics’, which gives this program a unique focus on industrial automation and biomedical engineering.
• Study emerging technologies driving the digital transformation - including Industry 4.0 and Biomedical Engineering.
• Students have access to our dedicated robotics laboratory, including Pepper: used for human-robot interaction; Panda robot arm: used for machine learning for manipulation; Soft robots: used for wearable devices for rehabilitation and advanced control; Dingo robot: used for machine learning and artificial intelligence; Kilobots and arena: used for swarm robotics; Epuck: used for mobile robotics
• This interdisciplinary program covers a large variety of engineering disciplines such as Robotics, Mechatronics, Machine Learning, Biorobotics, Probabilistic Reasoning, and Soft Robotics. Training in these areas will advance the student proficiency in transferable skills like computer programming, project planning, and managing.
• Delivered by specialist staff drawn from electrical and mechanical engineering as well as computer science, this MSc in Industrial Robotics offers a true interdisciplinary education.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• 2:2 (upper second class) UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth in Electrical / Electronics / Mechanical / Mechatronics / Automation / Control / Computer Engineering or Computer Science is preferred.
• Applicants from other academic backgrounds are strongly urged to contact the Admissions Team with their academic transcript listing all the courses they have studied, in order to discuss suitability.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Careers

This Masters program is designed to enable students to avail of the rapidly growing career opportunities in robotics and AI, for example, as roboticists, automation and controls engineers, software engineers, and data scientists.

Our aim is to educate and train a new generation of roboticists required to enable the Industry 4.0 revolution. A recent McKinsey Global Institute study predicts that the total number of jobs related to developing and deploying new technologies, automation-, IT-/AI-, and robotics-related applications, could potentially increase to between 20 and 50 million globally by 2030.

It is reported that as many as 375 million workers will have to learn new skills as their current jobs change due to automation, robotics, and AI. (McKinsey Global Institute, “Jobs lost, jobs gained: workforce transitions in a time of automation,” December 2017)

This program aims to shape candidates suitable for employment in a wide range of roles. Graduates from this program can pursue relevant specialist roles enabling industrial automation research, development, and deployment. Some students will also pursue further education via the PhD route.

Our Experts

• Programme Coordinator: Dr. Sumeet Sunil Aphale
• Other Experts: Dr. Maria Elena Giannaccini, Dr. Andrew Starkey

Document Requirements

• Degree Transcript: a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
• Personal Statement: a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular program

Tuition Fees

• EU / International students: £26,250
• UK: £11,100

Program Outline

This program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement robotic systems across various industries, including manufacturing, energy, transport, logistics, and healthcare.

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Objectives:

• Equip students with the fundamental principles of robotics, AI, and mechatronics.
• Teach students how to design, develop, and implement robotic systems using advanced algorithms.
• Provide students with hands-on experience in robotic programming and learning.
• Enable students to apply their knowledge to real-world problems in diverse industries.

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Program Description:

The MSc in Industrial Robotics is an interdisciplinary program that combines elements of engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, laboratory work, and group projects, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the following key areas:

• Robot kinematics and dynamics
• Industrial robot programming and learning
• Mathematical optimization
• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Rehabilitation engineering and biomechanics
• Swarm and soft robotics
• Localization and mapping
This program is unique in its focus on industrial automation and biomedical engineering, offering students the opportunity to study emerging technologies driving the digital transformation of these fields.

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Outline:

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Program Structure:

The MSc in Industrial Robotics is a 12-month full-time program spread across three stages:

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Stage 1:

This stage focuses on foundational courses that provide students with the necessary knowledge in robotics, AI, and control engineering.

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Stage 2:

This stage delves into more advanced topics, including industrial robot programming, mathematical optimization, and rehabilitation engineering.

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Stage 3:

This stage culminates the program with a 60-credit individual project where students apply their knowledge and skills to conduct research on a chosen topic related to industrial robotics.

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Course Schedule:

• Stage 1:
• Applied Artificial Intelligence
• Introduction to Mobile Robotics and Bioinspiration
• Localisation and Mapping in the Industrial Domain
• Advanced Control Engineering
• Stage 2:
• Kinematics and Dynamics of Industrial Robot Arms
• Industrial Robot Programming and Learning
• Mathematical Optimisation
• Rehabilitation Engineering and Biomechanics
• Stage 3:
• MSc Individual Project
• Applied Artificial Intelligence: Provides students with hands-on experience in using AI tools and technologies.
• Introduction to Mobile Robotics and Bioinspiration: Explores the principles of mobile robotics and bioinspired design for real-world applications.
• Localisation and Mapping in the Industrial Domain: Equips students with the ability to enable robots to localize and map their environments.
• Advanced Control Engineering: Offers in-depth knowledge on state-space representation, control design techniques, and system identification.

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Stage 2:

• Kinematics and Dynamics of Industrial Robot Arms: Focuses on the analysis and use of robot arms, covering kinematics, dynamics, and control.
• Industrial Robot Programming and Learning: Introduces students to different approaches for specifying robot motions, including machine learning techniques.
• Mathematical Optimisation: Equips students with the ability to solve complex engineering problems using optimization techniques.
• Rehabilitation Engineering and Biomechanics: Explores the application of biomechanics to human movement and rehabilitation technologies.

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Stage 3:

• MSc Individual Project: Students conduct independent research on a self-selected topic related to industrial robotics.

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Assessment:

The MSc in Industrial Robotics employs a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning and knowledge, including:

• Timed, in-class exams: Assess fundamental knowledge and understanding of key concepts.
• Software-based simulations and hardware-based experiments: Test students' ability to apply robotic principles in simulations and real-world environments.
• Design reports and presentations: Evaluate students' ability to communicate their ideas and findings effectively.
• Group work: Encourage collaboration and teamwork skills.
• Research-based dissertation: Assess students' ability to conduct independent research, analyze data, and present their findings in a scholarly manner.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

The MSc in Industrial Robotics employs a blend of teaching methods to cater to diverse learning styles and maximize student engagement. These methods include:

• Lectures: Provide students with an overview of key concepts and theories.
• Seminars: Encourage active participation and discussion of relevant topics.
• Laboratory work: Offer hands-on experience with robotic equipment and software.
• Group projects: Foster collaboration and problem-solving skills.
• Individual project supervision: Provide personalized guidance and support during the research project.

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Faculty:

The program is delivered by a team of highly qualified and experienced staff with expertise in various areas of robotics, AI, and engineering. The faculty includes professors, lecturers, teaching fellows, and postgraduate tutors who are actively involved in research and contribute to the program's cutting-edge content.

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Unique Approaches:

The program offers several unique features that enhance the learning experience and set it apart from other similar programs:

• Access to a dedicated robotics laboratory equipped with advanced robots, soft actuators, and other equipment.
• Focus on emerging technologies like Industry 4.0 and biomedical engineering.
• Industry-supported curriculum with input from leading companies in the field.
• Individualized approach through tailored project supervision and support.

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Careers:

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Career Paths:

Graduates of the MSc in Industrial Robotics are well-positioned to pursue diverse career paths in various industries. Potential career opportunities include:

• Roboticists
• Automation and controls engineers
• Software engineers
• Data scientists
• Research and development specialists
• PhD researchers

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Career Opportunities:

The program prepares students for a wide range of exciting career opportunities in rapidly growing fields related to robotics and AI. Graduates can find employment in various sectors, including:

• Manufacturing
• Energy
• Transport
• Logistics
• Healthcare
• Research and development
• Academia

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Career Outcomes:

The program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to succeed in a competitive job market. Graduates are in high demand due to the increasing adoption of robotics and AI technology across various industries.

• The program is delivered in English and requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
• International students may be eligible for scholarships and funding opportunities.
• The program has close ties with industry, providing students with access to networking opportunities and potential internships.

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EU / International students: £27,000 UK: £11,100 In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.