Undergraduate Minor in Robotics
Unlock the world of robotics through the Robotics Minor and Concentration, designed for Carnegie Mellon’s undergraduates to delve into the core principles and practical applications of robotics. This immersive journey blends theoretical exploration with hands-on learning, commencing with a foundational introductory course.
In-depth studies continue with essential courses in control systems and robotic manipulation, offering a comprehensive understanding. The Minor is accessible to current Carnegie Mellon undergraduates from any major outside the School of Computer Science, while the Concentration is exclusively available to School of Computer Science undergraduates. Aspiring participants are encouraged to apply once their primary major is declared.
Admission to the Minor / Concentration Program
Admission to the Undergraduate Minor in Robotics or the Undergraduate Concentration in Robotics Program is limited to current students at Carnegie Mellon with declared Primary Majors. Students interested in signing up for the program should fill out the application form after their Major has been declared and added to SIO.
Students from any college outside of the School of Computer Science, can pursue the Minor in Robotics. The nature of the courses required for the Minor makes it ideal for students already pursuing an undergraduate degree in engineering through the College of Engineering. The Concentration in Robotics is only an option for the undergraduate students studying computer science through the School of Computer Science.
Curriculum Requirements – Minor in Robotics
Prerequisite
Successful candidates for the Robotics Minor will have prerequisite knowledge of C language, basic programming skills, and familiarity with basic algorithms. Students can gain this knowledge by taking 15-122 Principles of Imperative Computation
The curriculum for the Robotics Minor is outlined below:
| Requirements | Choose 6 courses total |
|---|---|
| Overview (Choose 1) | 16-280 Intelligent Robot Systems 16-311 Introduction to Robotics |
| Controls (choose 1) | 06-464 Chemical Engineering Process Control 16-299 Introduction to Feedback Control Systems (Computer Science) 16-xxx Upper-level RI course with instructor and Program Director’s permission 18-370 Fundamentals of Control 24-451 Feedback Control Systems 24-773 Multivariable Linear Control |
| Mechanisms & Manipulation (choose 1) | 16-384 Robot Kinematics and Dynamics OR 15-462 Computer Graphics AND 33-141 Physics I for Engineering Students |
| Robot Building Practices (choose 1) | 16-220 Intro to Robotic Building Practices 16-362 Mobile Robot Algorithms Laboratory 16-423 Designing Computer Vision Apps 18-349 Introduction to Embedded Systems 18-578 Mechatronic Design 18-500 ECE Design Experience 24-671 Electromechanical Systems Design |
| Electives (choose 2) | 10-315 Introduction to Machine Learning (SCS Majors) 11-344 Machine Learning in Practice 15-281 AI: Representation and Problem Solving 15-387 Computational Perception 15-424 Logical Foundations of Cyber-Physical Systems 15-462 Computer Graphics 15-463 Computational Photography 15-482 Autonomous Agents 15-491 Special Topic: CMRoboBits: AI and Robots for Daily-Life Problems 16-264 Humanoids 16-322 Modern Sensors for Intelligent Systems 16-350 Planning Techniques for Robotics 16-362 Mobile Robot Algorithms Laboratory 16-385 Computer Vision 16-423 Designing Computer Vision Apps 16-467 Introduction to Human Robot Interaction 16-597 Undergraduate Reading and Research 16-745 Optimal Control and Reinforcement Learning 16-761 Mobile Robots 18-349 Introduction to Embedded Systems 18-500 ECE Design Experience 18-578 Mechatronic Design 24-480 Special Topics: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering 24-671 Electromechanical Systems Design 24-677 Modern Control Theory 24-771 Linear Systems 85-370 Perception 85-395 Applications of Cognitive Science 85-412 Cognitive Modeling 85-419 Introduction to Parallel Distributed Processing 85-426 Learning in Humans and Machines |
Graduate level Robotics courses may be used to meet the elective requirement with permission from the Program Director. Graduate level Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering courses that are relevant to robotics may be used to meet the elective requirement with permission from the Program Director.
Students may count up to 12 units of 16-597 Undergraduate Reading and Research towards the minor requirements.
Double-Counting Restriction
Courses being used to satisfy the requirements for the Robotics Minor may not be counted towards another minor. Students are permitted to double count a maximum of two courses from their Major (excluding General Education requirements) towards the Minor in Robotics. Free electives are not subject to the double counting policy.
Curriculum Requirements – Minor in Robotics
Prerequisites
Choose one course from each category:
| Calculus | 21-259 Calculus in Three-Dimensions 21-254 Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers |
| Basic Math | 21-240 Matrix Algebra with Applications 21-241 Matrix Algebra 21-260 Differential Equations 18-202 Mathematical Foundations of Electrical Engineering 24-311 Numerical Methods |
| Programming in C | Knowledge of the C programming language which could be obtained from: 15-122 Principles of Imperative Computation (recommended for novice C users) 16-311 Introduction to Robotics (recommended for students that have some familiarity with C) 24-280 Special Topics: C++ Programming for Engineers (recommended for novice C users) |
The curriculum for the Robotics Minor is outlined below:
| Requirements | Choose 6 courses total |
|---|---|
| Overview (Choose 1) | 16-280 Intelligent Robot Systems 16-311 Introduction to Robotics |
| Controls (choose 1) | 06-464 Chemical Engineering Process Control 16-299 Introduction to Feedback Control Systems 18-370 Fundamentals of Control 18-474 Embedded Controls 18-475 Autonomous Control Systems 18-771 Linear Systems 18-776 Nonlinear Control 24-451 Feedback Control Systems 24-773 Special Topics: Multi-variable Linear Control |
| Mechanisms & Manipulation (choose 1) | 16-384 Robot Kinematics and Dynamics OR 15-462 Computer Graphics AND 33-141 Physics I for Engineering Students |
| Robot Building Practices (choose 1) | 16-220 Intro to Robotic Building Practices 16-362 Mobile Robot Algorithms Laboratory 16-423 Designing Computer Vision Apps 18-349 Introduction to Embedded Systems 18-578 Mechatronic Design 18-500 ECE Design Experience 24-671 Electromechanical Systems Design |
| Electives (choose 2) | 10-315 Introduction to Machine Learning (SCS Majors) 11-344 Machine Learning in Practice 15-281 AI: Representation and Problem Solving 15-387 Computational Perception 15-424 Logical Foundations of Cyber-Physical Systems 15-462 Computer Graphics 15-463 Computational Photography 15-482 Autonomous Agents 15-491 Special Topic: CMRoboBits: AI and Robots for Daily-Life Problems 16-264 Humanoids 16-322 Modern Sensors for Intelligent Systems 16-350 Planning Techniques for Robotics 16-362 Mobile Robot Algorithms Laboratory 16-385 Computer Vision 16-423 Designing Computer Vision Apps 16-467 Introduction to Human Robot Interaction 16-597 Undergraduate Reading and Research 16-745 Optimal Control and Reinforcement Learning 16-761 Mobile Robots 18-349 Introduction to Embedded Systems 18-500 ECE Design Experience 18-578 Mechatronic Design 24-480 Special Topics: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering 24-671 Electromechanical Systems Design 24-677 Modern Control Theory 24-771 Linear Systems 85-370 Perception 85-395 Applications of Cognitive Science 85-412 Cognitive Modeling 85-419 Introduction to Parallel Distributed Processing 85-426 Learning in Humans and Machines |
Graduate level Robotics courses may be used to meet the elective requirement with permission from the Program Director. Graduate level Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering courses that are relevant to robotics may be used to meet the elective requirement with permission from the Program Director.
Students may count up to 12 units of 16-597 Undergraduate Reading and Research towards the minor requirements.
Double-Counting Restriction
Courses being used to satisfy the requirements for the Robotics Minor may not be counted towards another minor. Students are permitted to double count a maximum of two courses from their Major (excluding General Education requirements) towards the Minor in Robotics. Free electives are not subject to the double counting policy.
Minor in Robotics
Prerequisites
Choose one course from each category:
| Calculus | 21-259 Calculus in Three-Dimensions 21-254 Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers |
| Basic Math | 21-240 Matrix Algebra with Applications 21-241 Matrix Algebra 21-260 Differential Equations 18-202 Mathematical Foundations of Electrical Engineering 24-311 Numerical Methods |
| Programming in C | Knowledge of the C programming language which could be obtained from: 15-122 Principles of Imperative Computation (recommended for novice C users) 16-311 Introduction to Robotics (recommended for students that have some familiarity with C) 24-280 Special Topics: C++ Programming for Engineers (recommended for novice C users) |
Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum for the Robotics Minor is outlined below:
| Requirements | Choose 5 courses total |
|---|---|
| Overview / Introductory (choose 1) | 16-280 Intelligent Robot Systems 16-311 Introduction to Robotics |
| Controls (choose 1) | 06-464 Chemical Engineering Process Control 16-299 Introduction to Feedback Control Systems 18-370 Fundamentals of Control 24-451 Feedback Control Systems 24-773 Special Topics: Multi-variable Linear Control 18-474 Embedded Controls 18-475 Autonomous Control Systems 18-771 Linear Systems 18-776 Nonlinear Control |
| Kinematics | 16-384 Kinematics and Dynamics |
| Electives (choose 2) | 10-301 Introduction to Machine Learning (Undergrad) 10-315 Introduction to Machine Learning (SCS Majors) 11-344 Machine Learning in Practice 15-281 AI: Representation and Problem Solving 15-387 Computational Perception 15-424 Logical Foundations of Cyber-Physical Systems 15-462 Computer Graphics 15-463 Computational Photography 15-482 Autonomous Agents 15-491 Special Topic: CMRoboBits: AI and Robots for Daily-Life Problems 16-264 Humanoids 16-322 Modern Sensors for Intelligent Systems 16-350 Planning Techniques for Robotics 16-362 Mobile Robot Algorithms Laboratory 16-385 Computer Vision 16-423 Designing Computer Vision Apps 16-467 Introduction to Human Robot Interaction 16-597 Undergraduate Reading and Research 16-745 Optimal Control and Reinforcement Learning 16-761 Mobile Robots 18-349 Introduction to Embedded Systems 18-500 ECE Design Experience 18-578 Mechatronic Design 24-480 Special Topics: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering 24-671 Electromechanical Systems Design 24-677 Modern Control Theory 24-771 Linear Systems 85-370 Perception 85-395 Applications of Cognitive Science 85-412 Cognitive Modeling 85-419 Introduction to Parallel Distributed Processing 85-426 Learning in Humans and Machines |
*Appropriate upper-level courses may be substituted with Undergraduate Program Director’s approval.
Electives
Students may count up to 12 units of 16-597 Undergraduate Reading and Research towards the degree requirements. A student can also take additional courses from the core; e.g., a student who takes 16-385 as a core can take 16-421 as an elective.
Graduate level Robotics courses may be used to meet the elective requirement with permission from the Program Director. Graduate level Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering courses that are relevant to robotics may be used to meet the elective requirement with permission from the Program Director.
QPA Requirement
A 2.5 QPA in the Minor curriculum is required for graduation. Courses that are taken Pass/Fail or audited cannot be counted for the Minor.
Double Counting Restriction
Courses being used to satisfy the requirements for the Robotics Minor may not be counted towards another minor. Students are permitted to double count a maximum of two courses from their Major (excluding General Education requirements) towards the Minor in Robotics. Free electives are not subject to the double counting policy.
Concentration in Robotics
This concentration is available to SCS students only.
The SCS Robotics Concentration provides an opportunity for SCS undergraduate students at Carnegie Mellon to learn the principles and practices of robotics through theoretical studies and hands-on experience with robots. Students initially learn the basics of robotics in an introductory robotics overview course. Additional required courses teach control systems and robotic kinematics. Students also choose from a wide selection of electives in mobile systems, machine learning, computer vision, cognition and cognitive science, or computer graphics. Students have a unique opportunity to undertake independent research projects, working under the guidance of Robotics Institute faculty members; this provides an excellent introduction to robotics practice, for those considering industry and research for those considering graduate studies.
Prerequisites
Successful candidates for the Robotics Concentration will have prerequisite knowledge of C language, basic programming skills, and familiarity with basic algorithms. Students can gain this knowledge by taking 15-122 Principles of Imperative Computation.
The probability course can be taken concurrently with the concentration requirements. Depending on specific electives chosen, additional prerequisites may be required (e.g. 21-259).
Course Requirements
The Robotics Concentration requires that students complete three core courses and their choice of two elective courses of at least 9 units each. The electives can be chosen from a specific set of stand-alone courses. Students can opt to do an undergraduate research project as one of their electives.
| Required Core Courses | |
|---|---|
| One of the following courses: | 16-280 Intelligent Robot Systems 16-311 Introduction to Robotics |
| Plus these two courses | 16-299 Introduction to Feedback Control Systems 16-384 Kinematics and Dynamics |
Electives
Students must complete 2 electives from the following list of courses for a minimum of 18 units. At least one of the two electives courses must be from the Robotics Institute (16-xxx). A maximum of 12 units of research (16-597) can be used toward this requirement.
16-3xx and 16-4xx are pre-approved. Elective coursework outside of the Robotics Institute must be approved by the RI Undergraduate Program Director prior to course enrollment.
Note: Graduate level Robotics courses may be used to meet the elective requirement with permission from the Concentration Advisor. Graduate level Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering courses that are relevant to robotics may be used to meet the elective requirement with permission from the Concentration Advisor.
Students can apply one semester of a senior honors research thesis or research-based independent study in a topic related to this concentration, as approved by the concentration director/advisor, as one of the elective courses for this concentration. This research must have a significant communication component, including a paper or technical report, and a poster presentation. Any research course can count for at most 12 units toward the concentration and can count for at most one elective.