a robotics engineering major · intro courses intro to robotics unified robotics i: power unified...

A Robotics Engineering Major

Michael A. GennertActing Director, Robotics Engineering

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Research in Robots for Education30 June 2007

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major

Major Contributors

Michael J. Ciaraldi, CS David Cyganski, ECE Michael A. Demetriou, ME Brad A. Miller, ME Yiming Rong, ME Lance E. Schachterle, HUA & Associate Provost Kenneth A. Stafford, ME Grétar Tryggvason, ME


Motivation for Robotics MajorGrowth in importance of Robotics Push of tech capability & cost Pull of consumer, defense, entertainment, elder care, medK-12 interest in Robotics Offer students what they wantGreat fit for WPI Strong CS, ECE, ME Project-based curricula FIRST Team 190 traditionLead Who are Schmied, Marmet, Reist, von Gunten?


Principles

Clearly articulated objectivesBroadly-based programFlexibleAccreditable4 yearsConsistent w/ WPI educational philosophy


Program Objectives Have a basic understanding of the fundamentals

of CS, ECE, ME, and Systems Engineering. Apply these abstract concepts and practical skills

to design and construct robots and robotic systemsfor diverse applications.

Have the imagination to see how robotics can beused to improve society and the entrepreneurialbackground and spirit to make their ideas becomereality.

Demonstrate the ethical behavior and standardsexpected of responsible professionals functioning ina diverse society.


Other Principles

Broadly-based ProgramECE: Embedded Computing SystemsCS: Algorithms and Software EngineeringES/ME: Statics and ControlsFlexibilityElectives: Robotics & unrestrictedPaths: Multiple


Other Principles

AccreditableAdds credibility for students, facultyFPE Exam, ROTC4 yearsFits better in 5, but…WPI Philosophy“Lehr und Kunst” — Theory and practiceProject-based learning


Curriculum 1.0Black: Required General Education (12 courses)Green: Required Basic Math and Science (9 courses)Purple: Recommended Basic Math and Science (3 courses)Red: Required Engineering (13 courses)Blue: Recommended Engineering and Free Electives (9 courses)

Free ElectiveRobotics Elective 3Free ElectiveSr Proj

Robotics Elective 2Free ElectiveSr Proj

CS 4341ES 3011Sr Proj

Senior

ECE 2311CS 3733Robotics Elective 1

ME 3310Robotics PreparationIQP

ES 2503CS 2223IQP

ECE 2801ES 2501IQP

Junior

MA 2051ECE 2022SS

CS 2303ECE 2011SS

CS 2102MA 2071HU-SUFF

CS 1101RBE 1001HU

Sophomore

MA 1024PH 1120HU

MA 1023PEHU

MA 1022BB 1001HU

MA 1021PH 1110HU

Freshman

D TermC TermB TermA TermClass

Where’s the Robotics?XRBE 1001


Curriculum 2.0

MA, Physics

CS, ECE, ES/MEIntro courses

Intro to Robotics

Unified Robotics I: PowerUnified Robotics II: SensingUnified Robotics III: ManipulationUnified Robotics IV: Navigation

Robotics electives & Project

Complete dependencygraph more complicated,but still a DAG


Typical Program

Year A Term B Term C Term D Term

Freshman MA 1021

PH 1110/1

CS 1101/2

MA 1022

PH 1120/1

RBE 1001

MA 1023

PH 2201

HU

MA 1024

ECE 2022

HU

Sophomore RBE 2001

ECE 2801

HU

RBE 2002

MA 2051

CS 2223

RBE 3001

ES 3011

SS

RBE 3002

SS

HU

Junior ETR 3910

HU

IQP

MA 2611

HU

IQP

MA 2071

Robotics

Elective 1

IQP

Social Issues

Robotics

Elective 2

CS 3733

Senior Science

Robotics

Elective 3

Sr Project

Free Elective 1

Free Elective 2

Sr Project

Free Elective 3

Sr Project


Robotics Engineering Program

Free

Entreprn

Sr Proj

RBE

Elect

MathPhys Ed

Soc Sci +

Proj

Sci/EngECE

HU&A

RBE

Core

CSES/ME

Gen Ed

ABET Reqs

WPI Reqs


Lessons Learned

Need vision & passion… & a business planBottom-up approach better than top-downStick to one’s principlesBe open to compromise on anything elseCommunicateBe bold!

a robotics engineering major · intro courses intro to robotics unified robotics i: power unified...

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