Program Educational Objectives
Graduates of the Robotics Engineering program are expected to:
- Successfully:
- attain professional careers in robotics and related industries, academia, and government;
- expand human knowledge through research and development; and/or
- develop entrepreneurial engineering activities.
- Engage in life-long and continuous learning, including advanced degrees.
- Exert leadership over multi-disciplinary projects and teams.
- Contribute as responsible professionals through community service, mentoring, instructing, and guiding their professions in ethical directions.
- Communicate effectively to professional and business colleagues, and the public.
STUDENT OUTCOMES
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
- an ability to evaluate and integrate the mechanical, electrical, and computational components of a cyber-physical system.
- an ability to recognize and take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities.
Program Distribution Requirements for the Major in Robotics Engineering
Mathematics (Minimum 7/3 Units)
Must include Differential and Integral Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, and Probability.
Basic Science (Minimum 4/3 Units)
Must include at least 2/3 units in Physics.
Entrepreneurship (Minimum 1/3 Units)
Social Implications (Minimum 1/3 Units)
Must include at least 1/3 unit of Social Implications of Technology (CS 3043/SS 3043, GOV 2302, GOV/ID 2314 or RBE 3100). If GOV 2302 or GOV/ID 2314 are double-counted as meeting the Social Science Requirement and the Social Implications Requirement, then the Distribution Requirements total 10 units, otherwise the Distribution Requirements total 10 1/3 units.
Engineering Science and Design, including the MQP (Minimum 18/3 Units)
Must include at least 5/3 units in Robotics Engineering, including RBE 2001, RBE 2002, RBE 3001, and RBE 3002, or equivalent. RBE 3100 may not be used to fulfill this requirement. Must include at least 1 unit in Computer Science, including Object-Oriented Programming and Software Engineering. Must include at least 2/3 units in Electrical and Computer Engineering, including Embedded Systems. Must include at least 1/3 unit in Statics and 1/3 unit in Classical Controls (ES 3011, ECE 3012, AE 2310, or equivalent). RBE 502 cannot satisfy this requirement. Must include at least 1 unit of Engineering Science and Design Electives, of which at least 2/3 unit must be at the 4000-level or higher. The MQP must be a Capstone Design Experience in Robotics Engineering.
Statics
Classical Controls
Engineering Science and Design Electives
Major Qualifying Projects
Robotics Engineering MQPs are capstone design activities that span a wide range of topics from autonomous ground/air/underwater vehicles to swarm robotics to human-robot interaction, with applications in surgery, inspection, manufacturing, security, and entertainment, to name but a few. All RBE MQPs must go through the breadth of the design experience, including conceptualization, requirements, design, implementation, evaluation, and documentation. Projects also address societal issues, including professional responsibility, ethical and environmental considerations, sustainability, aesthetics, and safety. RBE MQPs may be sponsored by industry, including the Lincoln Lab and Silicon Valley project centers, develop from faculty research, or be initiated by students. Please see the Robotics Engineering website http://robotics.wpi.edu/ for information on current projects.
Additional Advice
For additional advice about course selections, including elective choices, students should consult with their academic advisor.