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
30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
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?
30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
Principles
Clearly articulated objectivesBroadly-based programFlexibleAccreditable4 yearsConsistent w/ WPI educational philosophy
30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
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.
30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
Other Principles
Broadly-based ProgramECE: Embedded Computing SystemsCS: Algorithms and Software EngineeringES/ME: Statics and ControlsFlexibilityElectives: Robotics & unrestrictedPaths: Multiple
30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
Other Principles
AccreditableAdds credibility for students, facultyFPE Exam, ROTC4 yearsFits better in 5, but…WPI Philosophy“Lehr und Kunst” — Theory and practiceProject-based learning
30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
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
30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
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
30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
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
30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
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
30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
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!
30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major