Program Overview

PhD in Robotics Program

The PhD in Robotics program aims to produce graduates with the disciplinary preparation and ability to synthesize scientific and technical robotics knowledge, identify and solve research challenges, and effectively disseminate results to various audiences.

Objectives

The program objectives are to:

• Synthesize scientific and technical robotics knowledge to identify, formulate, and solve research challenges
• Work across multiple disciplines and develop individual academic, professional, and career focus
• Keep abreast of the latest advances in science and engineering that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in robotics for the benefit of society

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a PhD in Robotics will have the ability to:

• Demonstrate appropriate breadth and depth of knowledge at the frontier of robotics and areas of specialization
• Conduct and defend original independent research that results in significant contributions to knowledge in the field of robotics
• Understand and value diverse methodologies and techniques for solving critical problems in research
• Verify, justify, and evaluate various aspects of the solution to a complex robotics problem
• Communicate effectively and professionally, in written and oral forms, the major tenets of the field of robotics and their work to various audiences
• Demonstrate a commitment to ethical behavior in research and professional activities
• Contribute effectively in teams and collaborative environments

Completion Requirements

Students admitted to the PhD program with a Master's Degree must satisfy the following requirements:

• Complete a minimum of 24 credits of coursework (8 courses of 3 credit hours each)
• Pass all courses with a minimum passing grade of C in every course
• Achieve an overall CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of at least 3.0 out of 4
• Pass the Written Qualifying Exam (WQE)
• Pass the Research Proposal Examination (RPE)
• Have at least one full paper accepted for publication in a quartile one ranked journal
• Complete a Dissertation on original research and defend it successfully in a viva voce examination

Students admitted to the PhD program with only a Bachelor's Degree must satisfy the following requirements:

• Complete a minimum of 36 credits of coursework (12 courses of 3 credit hours each)
• Pass all courses with a minimum passing grade of C in every course
• Achieve an overall CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of at least 3.0 out of 4
• Pass the Written Qualifying Exam (WQE)
• Pass the Research Proposal Examination (RPE)
• Have at least one full paper accepted for publication in a quartile one ranked journal
• Complete a Dissertation on original research and defend it successfully in a viva voce examination

Structure and Requirements

The PhD in Robotics program for candidates with a Master's Degree consists of a minimum of 60 credit hours, distributed as follows:

• 3 credits of Program Core courses
• 21 credits of Program Elective courses
• 36 credits for a PhD Research Dissertation
• Two zero-credit PhD Research Seminar courses

The PhD in Robotics program for candidates with only a Bachelor's Degree consists of a minimum of 72 credit hours, distributed as follows:

• 12 credits of Program Core courses
• 24 credits of Program Elective courses
• 36 credits for a PhD Research Dissertation
• Two zero-credit PhD Research Seminar courses

Program Core Courses

For candidates with a Master's Degree, the program core courses are:

• ENGR 701: Research Methods in Engineering

For candidates with only a Bachelor's Degree, the program core courses are:

• ENGR 701: Research Methods in Engineering
• CCEN 784: Advanced Digital Signal Processing
• COSC 787: Advanced Deep Learning System Design
• MEEN 784: Advanced Feedback Control

Program Elective Courses

The PhD in Robotics elective courses are:

• ROBO 732: Machine Learning and Applications
• ROBO 735: Advanced Computer Vision Paradigms
• ROBO 755: Cognitive Robotics
• ROBO 756: Robotics Perception
• ROBO 757: Control of Robotic Systems
• ROBO 762: Analysis and Simulation of Mechatronics Systems
• ROBO 764: Optimal Control

PhD Research Dissertation

Students must complete a PhD Research Dissertation that involves novel, creative, research-oriented work under the direct supervision of a full-time faculty advisor in robotics.

Course Descriptions

• ROBO 732: Machine Learning and Applications
  • Prerequisites: Advanced data structure, advanced statistics, optimization techniques
  • Description: Machine learning, a subset of Artificial Intelligence, aims to create systems that automatically improve with experience.
• ROBO 735: Advanced Computer Vision Paradigms
  • Prerequisites: Graduate level course in Image Processing and Analysis
  • Description: Computer systems that automate the analysis and interpretation of images are getting increasing demand in areas of basic research and industrial applications.
• ROBO 755: Cognitive Robotics
  • Prerequisites: Graduate level courses in Autonomous Robotic Systems and Computer Vision or Image Understanding (or equivalent)
  • Description: To provide students with an advanced treatment of autonomous systems, how cognitive systems acquire information about the external world through learning and association of interrelationships between the observed world and their contextual frames.
• ROBO 756: Robotic Perception
  • Prerequisites: Graduate level courses in Autonomous Robotic Systems and Machine Vision and Image Understanding (or equivalent)
  • Description: To provide students with knowledge in the principles and practices of quantitative perception for robotic devices.
• ROBO 757: Control of Robotic Systems
  • Prerequisites: Graduate level knowledge of Engineering Mathematics and Computation (or equivalent)
  • Description: This course is designed to teach students advanced concepts and tools for analysis, design, and control of robotic systems.
• ROBO 764: Optimal Control
  • Prerequisites: Graduate level course on Advanced Engineering Mathematics (or equivalent)
  • Description: This course is designed to teach students methods of optimal control and parameter estimation using Linear Quadratic Gaussian design approach.

Study Plan

The typical study plan for full-time and part-time students enrolled in the PhD in Robotics program is provided, showing the distribution of courses and research activities over several semesters.

Written Qualifying Examination (WQE)

The WQE for PhD in Robotics consists of written examinations in three topical areas approved by the department. The topical areas are selected by the student with the approval of their advisor.

Admission Criteria

Applicants for the PhD in Robotics must satisfy Khalifa University (KU) general graduate admission requirements as well as program-specific requirements. The admission requirements are available on KU's admissions webpage.