Three new required courses are designed specifically for the Robotics Ph.D.:

• CS/AE/ECE/ME 7785, Introduction to Robotics Research
• CS/AE/ECE/ME 8750, Multidisciplinary Robotics Research I
• CS/AE/ECE/ME 8751, Multidisciplinary Robotics Research II

CS/AE/ECE/ME 7785, Introduction to Robotics Research

Provides students with a familiarization of the core areas of robotics including: Mechanics, Control, Perception, Artificial Intelligence, and Autonomy. Provides an introduction to the fundamental mathematical tools required in robotics research. (3 credit hours).

The desired learning outcome is to provide a strong theoretical foundation for students on the multidisciplinary subject matters found in robotics. This is accomplished by:

1. Providing an introduction to the fundamentals of robotics in the core areas of mechanics, control, perception, artificial intelligence, and autonomy.
2. Providing the basic theoretical and mathematical tools to support the core areas in robotics.
3. The evaluation component includes:
   • Mid-term and final exams to evaluate student understanding of course material.
   • Written homework assignments to reinforce and apply lecture materials.
   • Group project and presentation to apply theoretical understanding to real-world applications.

CS/AE/ECE/ME 8750, Multidisciplinary Robotics Research I

CS/AE/ECE/ME 8751, Multidisciplinary Robotics Research II

These courses form a two semester sequence with similar “laboratory-rotation” formats. Each course requires the student to complete a semester-long research project under the guidance of at least two faculty members from distinct participating schools (AE, BME, CoC, ECE, or ME). The courses are designed to expose students to the discipline of research in a structured way and to encourage novel ideas in a multidisciplinary context.

The desired learning outcome is to foster a multidisciplinary research approach in the student by:

• Critically assessing the prior art in an area outside his/her own,
• Performing state-of-the-art experimental or simulation work in a multidisciplinary area,
• Coherently reporting, at the level of a conference publication, on the research performed.

The evaluation component includes:

• Week 2, a one page proposal outlining the proposed work along with a well-argued motivation;
• Week 5: a detailed written review paper of the state-of-the art in the area;
• Week 10: a written report on the experimental or simulation component in progress;
• Week 14: a final report and presentation that includes all of the above along with a discussion of the work done and opportunities for future work.

All deliverables will be graded by both faculty advisors as well as reviewed to comply with the evaluation criteria set by the Robotics Program Committee.