Program Overview

Introduction to the Robotics Undergraduate Program

The Robotics Undergraduate Program at the University of Michigan is one of the first undergraduate robotics programs at a top-ten engineering school. This program has developed cutting-edge courses that stay current with the fast-advancing robotics field.

Program Overview

• The program allows students to gain an understanding of foundational concepts through hands-on core courses such as human-robot interaction, sensors and signals, and operating systems.
• Students can then adapt their degree to their interests with electives in areas such as robot control, autonomous robotics, wearable sensors, aircraft structures, or even marine dynamics.
• Leveraging the breadth of courses available across other top-ranked departments throughout the University, a Michigan Robotics degree demonstrates the force-multiplying impact of the field across a vast array of applications from medicine to manufacturing, and beyond.

What Robotics Students Do

Learn New Concepts

Students gain knowledge of core technical areas in coursework, including:

• Sensing of the environment, other robots or humans, and internal information to perceive the state of the world
• Reasoning with models of the world to make decisions to accomplish tasks, satisfy goals, and learn from experience
• Acting upon itself or environment to produce outputs that enable the robot to achieve desired effects on the physical world and interact with people
• Understanding human and social dynamics for robots to effectively work with people and evaluate their impact on society

Grow and Inspire Community

• Students practice enthusiastic outreach, both within the U-M robotics community and greater society.
• Robotics students can join others on the Robotics Undergraduate Student Council to plan outreach and community events and improve the entire program as liaisons to department leadership.

Participate in Research

• Get hands-on experience working alongside faculty and graduate students on robotics research.
• Undergraduate research opportunities help students develop technical skills, explore potential career paths, and contribute to advancing the field.
  • SURE Program: Summer Undergraduate Research in Engineering, offering paid summer research experiences working directly with faculty on active research projects.
  • UROP: Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, providing academic year research positions with stipends available across campus.
  • MDP Research: Multidisciplinary Design Program, offering team-based research opportunities combining multiple engineering disciplines.

Build and Compete

• Beyond courses, students often dedicate a large portion of time to a student project team.
• These teams typically have an international organizer that presents competition guidelines each year, and students work throughout the year on designing and building, then participate in international competitions.

Robotics Undergraduate Highlights

• The program includes a variety of courses such as ROB 450: Robotics Capstone, ROB 310: Sensors & Signals, and Robotics 102: Intro to AI & Programming.
• Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, including MBots supporting their courses.

What a Robotics Degree Means

Broad Technical Skills

• Students develop expertise across multiple domains, becoming full-stack roboticists with skills in:
  • Hardware: Design and fabrication including modeling, 3D printing, CNCs, shop tools.
  • Software: Code and test software to utilize sensor data and create smart machines.
  • Electronics: Design and print circuits, testing components, soldering.
  • Controls: Model and implement code that controls complex automated systems.
  • Human-Robot Interaction: Define usability and system design that meets human needs.

Versatile Career Preparation

• A robotics degree is full-spectrum across multiple applications and industries.
• Graduates work at a variety of organizations, including but not limited to:
  • AbbVie
  • Amazon
  • Amazon Robotics
  • Bosch
  • Carnegie Mellon
  • Caterpillar
  • Draper
  • FANUC
  • Ford Motor Company
  • General Atomics
  • General Motors
  • Gentex Corporation
  • Google
  • Hyundai America
  • Intel
  • Medtronic
  • NASA JPL
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Nuro
  • Our Next Energy
  • Pratt Miller
  • Remora
  • Renesas Electronics
  • Seoul National Hospital
  • SpaceX
  • Stellantis
  • Stryker
  • Symbotic
  • Tesla
  • University of Michigan
  • VRSI
  • Walmart
  • Wazuh
  • wheel.me
  • Williams International

Accelerated Advanced Degree

• Qualified students can pursue an accelerated masters degree through the Sequential Undergraduate / Graduate Studies (SUGS) program, earning both BSE and MS degrees in five years.