Degree Overview: Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Robotics
Majors Overview February 28, 2015Get information about bachelor’s degree programs in robotics and their educational requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Robotics
Few schools, if any, offer bachelor’s degrees in robotics. Instead, schools often offer concentrations or classes in robotics as part of an engineering program. Students enrolled in these programs are first equipped with a basic foundation in skills essential to the field, such as mechanical engineering, systems engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science.
Theoretical knowledge in the primary areas of computation, sensing and actuation, is then developed by students. Students are taught to use theoretical concepts in practical applications while building robots in lab settings. Capstone seminars involving a large-scale robotics competition or project often mark the culmination of programs.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma. The competitive nature of many robotics programs often leads to the need for substantial financial backing by students and the possession of diverse skill sets. The requirements also include submission of a personal statement, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, and, in some instances, a portfolio of work.
Coursework
Students enrolled in these programs are expected to spend extended time in a lab setting. Students enrolled in some top programs may also be required to participate in internships or compete in robotic competitions. Students may also take advanced mathematics courses. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Applied physics
•Industrial robotics
•Differential equations
•Introduction to robotics
•Mechanical movement
•Unified robotics
Career Choices
Those that complete bachelor’s degree programs in robotics can seek employment as:
•Mechanical engineers
•Industrial engineers
•Robotics engineers
Job and Wage Outlook
A slower-than-average job growth rate of five percent has been predicted for mechanical engineers over the 2012 – 2022 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics). In May 2012, mechanical engineers brought home an average annual wage of $80,580, while industrial engineers grossed $78,860 (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Graduates from the bachelor’s degree program may choose to pursue continuing education by earning master’s degrees in robotics. Students usually complete these programs in one to two years. Before they graduate, they may be required to complete a research-based final presentation or thesis.
