BSE in Robotics Engineering
About the Program
With recent advances in computer hardware and software, as well as 3D printing, the field of robotics is entering a new phase where robots are smaller, faster, cheaper, and smarter. These next generation robots will have applications in a wide variety of fields, including manufacturing, medicine, education, entertainment, military applications, etc
The interdisciplinary nature of robotics engineering will also help to provide a platform for faculty from diverse backgrounds (electrical, computer, mechanical, automotive, and robotics) to collaborate on cutting-edge research projects. The need for this type of technical and multidisciplinary workforce is critical for attracting and helping to grow industries in Southeastern Michigan. In fact, it is expected that BSE RE graduates will be prepared for a broad range of post-graduate experiences, including the development of startup companies in robotics engineering, to satisfy local, state, and national demand.
Employment Opportunities
Nationally, the starting salaries recently reported by new graduates with a BSE in robotics engineering average in the $55,000 to $65,000 range. Robotics engineers follow careers in design, development, manufacturing, technical sales, administration, and research in any field where electrical/ electronic devices are used, such as the aerospace, automotive, communications, consumer electronics, computer, electrical power generation, industrial controls, and scientific instrumentation industries.
Recent UM-Dearborn graduates with a BSE in electrical engineering with a focus on robotic systems have found professional employment in such companies as AT&T, DTE Energy, Ford, General Dynamics, General Electric, Harman Becker, Lockheed Martin, Masco, Motorola, NASA, N.S.A., Ricardo Industries, US Steel, Visteon, and Xilinx.
Curriculum Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 125 curriculum hours and receive a bachelor of science in engineering (BSE) degree in robotics engineering.
Please note that beginning in Fall 2015, all freshmen must follow the Dearborn Discovery Core (DDC) requirements.
Curriculum requirement sheets and sample course sequences are available through the Office of Advising and Academic Success.
BSE-Robotics Engineering Curriculum Requirements
General Curriculum Requirements and Sample Course Sequences
Robotics Engineering Core Curriculum Chart
Robotics Engineering 4+1 Option
The Robotics Engineering 4+1 Option allows the most qualified UM-Dearborn undergraduate electrical engineering students to earn both the BSE in RE and the MSE in RE in an accelerated format. Admitted students can double-count up to 9 credits of 500-level or above electrical engineering, computer engineering, and robotics engineering elective, core, or cognate courses taken during their junior or senior years. Of these, only one cognate course is allowed. Please see the College's website for admission requirements and program details.
To be eligible for the option, a student must:
- Be enrolled in the undergraduate RE program at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
- Must have and maintain a 3.2 cumulative CGPA or better for their undergraduate degree and complete two 300-level courses with a B minimum.
- Not be enrolled in two undergraduate programs or in a dual-degree program in either their undergraduate or graduate program.
- The accelerated option allows current UM-Dearborn robotics engineering majors to complete both the BSE and MSE robotics engineering degrees in an accelerated format. Admitted students can double-count up to 9 credits of 500-level or above electrical engineering, computer engineering, and electrical engineering elective, core, or cognate courses taken during their junior or senior years. Of these, only one cognate course is allowed.
- In practice with the usual graduate student program rules, students may also transfer a maximum of 6 additional 500-level credits toward the 30-credit master's degree. These additional transfer credits can be taken during the junior and senior years and cannot be used for any portion of the undergraduate degree.
- Depending on the number of double-counted and transfer credits, 15-21 credits of graduate coursework would be needed to complete the master's program after completion of the undergraduate degree.
1. Participation in the accelerated option is limited to students who have completed at least 60 undergraduate credit hours, have attained junior standing, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2, and have completed two 300-level courses with a B minimum.
2. Admission to the accelerated option is at the discretion of the robotics engineering graduate committee.
3. The online graduate application should be completed with a "Yes" response to the accelerated option question. In addition to submitting the required application materials, the applicants will complete an interview with the RE graduate committee.
4. Students must attain a grade of B or better in each 500-level class taken as an undergraduate student and used for graduate credit in the accelerated option. Failure to do so may result in removal from the accelerated option.
To successfully achieve the 4+1 option within a five-year timeframe, students can look forward to completing 2 core courses, 2 cognates, and 6 electives, which may even include up to 6 credits of thesis work. Additionally, for those who opt not to use the three transfer credit options, there is an opportunity to engage in 4 graduate courses during the final year of study, providing an enriching academic experience. In this case, students should plan on completing the master’s degree in three terms after the BSE degree is completed.
In the Robotics Engineering 4+1 option, students would complete the curriculum requirements for the BSE Robotics Engineering and the MSE Robotics Engineering programs, but with the following substitutions of up to 9 credit hours of 500-level or above courses shown below for for the BSE Robotics Engineering major.
Students admitted to the 4+1 Option may substitute:
- ECE 528 for ECE 428
- ECE 535 for ECE 435
- ECE 532 for ECE 4431
- ECE 560 for ECE 460
- ECE 545 for ECE 4641
- ECE 579 for ECE 479
- ECE 580 for ECE 480
- ECE 588 for ECE 4881
- ECE 505 for ECE 473.
In order to receive the full benefit of the 4+1 option, make sure you enroll in the 500-level courses, not the corresponding undergraduate courses.
Accreditation
The BSE in Robotics Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Educational Objectives for BSE in RE
The graduates who receive the BS degree in Robotics Engineering from the University of Michigan-Dearborn are expected to achieve within a few years of graduation the high professional, ethical, and societal goals demonstrated by accomplishing one or more of the objectives described below.
- Achieve professional growth in an engineering position in regional and national industries. Growth can be evidenced by promotions and appointment in the workplace (management positions, technical specialization), entrepreneurial activities, and consulting activities.
- Success in advanced engineering studies evidenced by enrollment in graduate courses, completion of graduate degree programs, presentations and publications at professional events, and awards or licenses associated with advanced studies.
- Realization of impactful achievements in societal roles demonstrated by attainment of community leadership roles, mentoring activities, civic outreach service, and active roles in professional societies.
BSE in Robotics Engineering
For information on the number of students enrolled and degrees granted in the BSE-Robotics Engineering program, please visit the Enrollment Data and Degrees Awarded page.
To achieve the educational objectives, the graduates of the program will have:
- 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.
Electrical and Computer Engineering
4901 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI 48128
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