Roboticists today must possess a depth of knowledge and experience in a broad array of

concentrations, including computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering,

biomedical engineering, and mathematics. The full-time M A S T E R O F S C I E N C E

I N R O B O T I C S (MSR) program is designed to provide intense, hands-on training using

classroom instruction, seminars, internships, and independent project work to bridge the

knowledge and experience gap between an undergraduate engineering degree and a career

in the exciting field of robotics.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ROBOTICS

P R O G R A M O V E R V I E WThe Master of Science in Robotics program is designed for outstand-

ing students with a BS in engineering or a related field who have a

desire to move into the cutting-edge field of robotics and artificial

intelligence.

Students gain experience with the Robot Operating System (ROS),

a skill in high demand in both research and industry. Intensive

hands-on and project-based courses prepare students to pursue

careers in government laboratories or industries such as auto-

mation, manufacturing, healthcare, and aerospace, or to continue

their education and complete a PhD.

Students can earn the degree within four consecutive academic

quarters. Alternatively, students may choose to work at an industrial

internship or as an academic research assistant during the summer

and then return to finish the program during the fall quarter.

P R O J E C T P O R T F O L I O S

The program features many open-ended, project-oriented

experiences through faculty-led, independent research work

and courses such as Embedded Systems in Robotics. Students

create online project portfolios detailing their completed projects.

Portfolios may be used for evaluating student performance in

courses and provide an ideal way for students to showcase their

work for potential employers or PhD programs.

C O U R S E R E Q U I R E M E N T S

In the first three quarters (fall, winter, and spring), students enroll

in 10 courses in mechanical engineering, computer science,

electrical and computer engineering, and biomedical engineering.

Students complete four courses in the fall quarter, and three courses

plus one course unit of full-time project work in each of the winter

and spring quarters.

Required courses include Robotic Manipulation, Embedded Systems

in Robotics, and Intro to Mechatronics. For those students with no

experience in Lagrangian dynamics, Theory of Machines-Dynamics

is highly recommended.

The MSR program features a combination of traditional courses

and in-depth, project-based courses in the following areas:

Automatic control Biomedical engineering Computer vision

Embedded systems Human-machine interfaces Kinematics and

dynamics Machine learning Neuroscience Prosthetics

R E S E A R C H P R O J E C T S

During the final quarter, students apply themselves solely

to full-time project work (four course units), and end the program

with a portfolio entry detailing the work that was done. Opportunities

are available to participate in a diverse set of robotics research

projects with faculty from across Northwestern.

This includes research in the Center for Robotics and Biosystems,

a world leader in robotics, haptic interfaces, and biomedical

engineering. Project areas include multi-robot systems, robotic

manipulation, haptics, simulation and control of multibody systems,

swarm robotics, bio-inspired sensing and control, and prosthetics

engineering.

I N D U S T R I A L C O L L A B O R A T I O N A N D I N T E R N S H I P S

Industrial ties are an essential part of the program. The program

features seminars, networking events, and projects from leading

industrial partners. Additionally, students are encouraged to

participate in industrial internships.

F A C U L T Y

The MSR program faculty represent a range of departments at

Northwestern and are active in disciplines such as machine learning,

haptics, simulation, control, rehabilitation robotics, and bio-inspired

robotics.

S T U D E N T P R O F I L E

Each year, the MSR program welcomes 15-20 top students from

around the world to join the cohort. Students enter the program with

a variety of professional and educational backgrounds.

Many of the students come to the MSR program immediately after

completing their undergraduate education, but it is not uncommon

for students to join MSR directly from industry. Some entering

students have amassed years of work experience in a range of

industries.

Students in the MSR program have several different career plans

after graduation. Some seek a robotics-focused job in industry, while

others use their MSR experience as a transition into a robotics-

related PhD. MSR graduates sometimes pursue entrepreneurial

plans.

A L U M N I

MSR alumni have worked at a variety of companies, including:

3M \ Amazon \ Applied Dexterity \ Auris Surgical Robotics \ BITO

Robotics \ Berkshire Grey \ BMW \ Boeing \ Boston Dynamics \ Bühler

Aeroglide \ Corvus Robotics \ Daimler \ Disney Research \ Doxel.

ai \ Fetch Robotics \ Fifth Season \ Fusion OEM \ Honda Research

\ Intelligent Automation \ Life Fitness \ Luminar Technologies \ Olis

Robotics \ Omron \ Pratt & Whitney \ Raytheon \ Robotics Unlimited \

Siemens \ Trossen Robotics \ Waymo \ Whirlpool \ Zoox \

Others have pursued a PhD at schools such as University of Michigan,

Virginia Tech, MIT, Cornell University, and Northwestern University.

A D M I S S I O N R E Q U I R E M E N T S

Applicants to the MSR program must meet the following require-

ments: bachelor’s degree in a robotics-related field (e.g., mechanical

engineering, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, com-

puter science); minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate

work; university transcripts; three letters of recommendation; GRE

scores (desired, though not required); current resume or CV; personal

statement; TOEFL scores (if applicable).

In addition, MSR program applicants are encouraged to have

proficiency in C, C++, or Python. This allows enrollment in 300-

level computer science courses that require programming as a pre-

requisite. Students who do not have a background in programming

languages will be offered extra programming-related materials and

activities during the fall term.

F O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N

MS in Robotics website

msr.northwestern.edu

MS in Robotics Director

Professor Todd Murphey

msr@northwestern.edu