Program Overview

Overview

The Master of Science in Robotics provides advanced training and study in robotics-related topics consistent with the program focus on autonomy and AI, field robotics, human-robot interaction, smart materials, security, controls and estimation, bio-inspired systems, and advanced manufacturing.

Degree Requirements

The MS in Robotics offers a flexible curriculum that encourages in-depth study across disciplines from departments and programs hosted in the College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS). To fulfill graduation requirements, students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework in courses numbered 5000 or above and taught by members of the graduate faculty, with grades of C or better and a minimum GPA of 3.00.

Thesis Option

Students in the MS thesis option must complete 4–6 hours of MS thesis credit, two hours of ROBO 5009 Robotics Seminar, and one hour of ROBO 5008 Introduction to Research, as part of the required 30 credit hours. They must also meet thesis examination and submission requirements.

Non-Thesis Option

Non-thesis MS students must complete all coursework requirements but are not required to complete a final examination.

Time Limit

Per Graduate School policy, all requirements for the program must be completed within four years of admission to the degree program.

Course Requirements

Students must complete ROBO 5000 Introduction to Robotics, plus one course selected from each breadth bin, to complete their robotics fundamentals requirements. The remaining 18 credit hours may be chosen from any of the courses on the approved list.

• Core Course Requirement:
  • ROBO 5000: Introduction to Robotics (3 credit hours)
• Breadth Requirement: Dynamics and Mechatronics
  • Choose one course from the following:
    • ASEN 5050: Space Flight Dynamics
    • ASEN 5067: Microavionics: Introduction to PIC Microcontrollers for Aerospace Systems
    • ECEN 5853: Embedding Sensors and Motors
    • MCEN 5115: Mechatronics and Robotics I
    • MCEN 5173: Finite Element Analysis
    • MCEN 5195: Bioinspired Robotics
    • MCEN 5228: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (Advanced Dynamics)
    • ROBO 5302: Advanced Robotics
• Breadth Requirement: Perception and Control
  • Choose one course from the following:
    • ASEN 5044: Statistical Estimation for Dynamical Systems
    • ASEN 5014: Linear Control Systems
    • ASEN 5114: Automatic Control Systems
    • ASEN 6024: Nonlinear Control Systems
    • CSCI 5722: Computer Vision
    • ECEN 5138: Control Systems Analysis
    • ECEN 5244: Applied Stochastic Signal Processing
    • ECEN 5448: Linear Control Systems
    • ECEN 5738: Nonlinear Control Systems
    • MCEN 5228: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (Advanced Computer Vision)
• Breadth Requirement: Cognition and Interaction
  • Choose one course from the following:
    • ASEN 5254: Algorithmic Motion Planning
    • ASEN 5264: Decision Making under Uncertainty
    • CSCI 5254: Convex Optimization and Its Applications
    • CSCI 5302: Advanced Robotics
    • CSCI 5322: Algorithmic Human-Robot Interaction
    • CSCI 5622: Machine Learning
    • CSCI 5832: Natural Language Processing
    • CSCI 5854: Theoretical Foundations of Autonomous Systems
    • CSCI 5922: Fundamentals of Neural Networks and Deep Learning
    • CSCI 7000: Current Topics in Computer Science (Deep Reinforcement Learning and Robotics)
    • ECEN 5478: Online Convex Optimization and Learning
• Seminar and Research Requirement (MS Thesis Only)
  • ROBO 5008: Introduction to Research (1 credit hour)
  • ROBO 5009: Robotics Seminar (1 credit hour)
  • ROBO 6950: Master's Thesis (1-6 credit hours)
• Robotics Electives
  • Students may choose from a list of approved courses, including:
    • ASEN 5128: Small Uncrewed Aircraft System Guidance, Navigation, and Control
    • ASEN 6010: Advanced Spacecraft Dynamics and Control
    • ASEN 6044: Advanced State Estimation
    • ASEN 6412: Uncertainty Quantification
    • ASEN 6519: Special Topics (Hybrid Systems)
    • ASEN 6519: Special Topics (Verifiable Control of Stochastic Systems)
    • ASEN 6519: Special Topics (System Identification for Control)
    • ASEN 6216: Human Operation of Aerospace Vehicles
    • CHEN 5836: Nanomaterials
    • CSCI 5616: Introduction to Virtual Reality
    • CSCI 7000: Current Topics in Computer Science (Physical Human-Robot Interaction)
    • ECEN 5623: Real-Time Embedded Systems
    • ECEN 5863: Programmable Logic Embedded System Design
    • ECEN 5008: Special Topics (Game Theory)
    • ECEN 5028: Special Topics (Constrained Control)
    • ECEN 5458: Sampled Data and Digital Control Systems
    • ECEN 5638: Control Systems Laboratory
    • ECEN 5678: Control of Multi-agent Systems
    • ECEN 5763: Embedded Computer Vision
    • ECEN 5712: Machine Learning for Engineers
    • MCEN 5157: Modeling of Human Movement
    • MCEN 5228: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (Automated Mechanical Design)
    • MCEN 5293: Mechanics of Soft Matter
    • MCEN 5636: Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems
    • MCEN 5228: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (Mechatronics 2)
    • MCEN 5228: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (Industrial Automation)
    • MCEN 6228: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (Robust Multivariable Control)

Learning Outcomes

By the completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of foundational robotics principles.
• Demonstrate interdisciplinary knowledge in robotics, covering at least three core areas of study.
• Apply robotics tools and techniques in coursework to solve practical problems.
• Communicate robotics concepts effectively through written and oral assignments (MS Thesis only).