College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture
BS in Robotics Engineering
Through the Robotics Engineering program at the University of Hartford, you can gain skills in the growing field of robotics and make an impact on the future.
About the Major
This program will prepare you to fulfill the growing and expected demands for entry-level careers in robotics. Dive into a hands-on experience around robotics principals, designs, and operation. Students in this program will especially benefit from the laboratories in CETA, including two new robotics labs.
Robotics is the discipline that combines computer, electrical, mechanical, sensing, and computer science in real time. It plays a role in nearly every aspect of our lives, and we can see its applications in automation, manufacturing, the defense industry, commerce—like Amazon—and the healthcare industry to mention a few.
Interdisciplinary Focus
Since this program covers various aspects of engineering, students in this program will receive more of a well-rounded educational experience. Learn more about various topics as follows (but not limited to):
Electrical Engineering
Circuit Design, Digital Devices, Micro-controller, Signal Processing, Control Systems, Communication
Mechanical Engineering
2D/3D Modeling, Manufacturing, Kinematics/Statics, Dynamics, Mechatronics
Computer Science
Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision
Degree Requirements
For more information, and to see a complete list of degree requirements, visit the Course Catalog.
Core Classes
- ROBO 201 | Introduction to Robotics
- ROBO 301 | Robotics and Automation
- M 366 | Engineering Probability and Statistics
- ECE 382 | Sensors, Transducers, and Data Acquisition
- ROBO 402 | Robotic Systems and Programming
Electives
Career Outlook
Graduates of this program will be prepared to work for many robotics companies around the world. Have an opportunity to work with industrial robot companies like ABB, KUKA, or Fanuc; automobile companies like BMW, Toyota, or Hyundai; global aerospace, defense, and security companies like Lockheed Martin, or Raytheon; or factory automation or advanced manufacturing companies like Epson, Denso, or Wittmann Battenfeld Group.
With the interdisciplinary knowledge learned in the program, students are also well-prepared for graduate school. Students can also pursue Robotics Research Institutes at companies like Toyota Research Institute, Bosch, Disney Research, NASA, DARPA and more.
Stephen DeRosa
BSME/Robotics, 2019
Stephen DeRosa ’19, a mechanical engineering major with a robotics concentration is moving to Houston, TX to work at the Johnson Space Center on future robotic systems to be used in space exploration. Stephen credits the University’s Robotics Club for being home to some of his most valuable experiences at UHart.
The University's Robotics Club is home to some of my most valuable experiences at UHart. The club provided me and many other students an opportunity to work on multidisciplinary projects that we otherwise would not have had the opportunity to work on. It's helped me not only learn skills outside of my major, but what skills I will need to learn to have a successful career in robotics.
Opportunities for Students Studying Robotics
CETA Robotics Club
Faculty Co-Advisors: Kiwon Sohn and Akin Tatoglu
UHART Robotics Club works on various ongoing projects in the field of robotics, artificial intelligence and real-time control systems (such as humanoids, mobile robots, industrial robots, service robots and drones). Members of this organization also participate in the following research groups:
- Autonomous Mobile Robotics Research Group, led by Akin Tatoglu
- Assistive Robot Team, led by Kiwon Sohn
Every year, more than 50 students from multiple majors (Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science) work in the team. They range from first year to graduate students.
FIRST Robotics Scholarship
Dedicated to learning, personal growth, knowledge creation, and the betterment of society, the University engages students in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to thrive in and contribute to a pluralistic, complex world. Learn more and apply.
Mechanical Engineering Major with Robotics Concentration
Our mechanical engineering program encompasses various areas within the field through its six concentrations. You have the option to pursue your BS in mechanical engineering with a robotics concentration.
As the demand for “smart” factories and automation is increasing, so does the need for robots. With our robotics concentration, you will be in an intellectually stimulating and project-based environment, learning to program and operate robots and autonomous vehicles. Emphasis is placed on helping you understand the design of robots, modeling their dynamic control systems, and interfacing sub-systems with sensors, actuators, and controllers. Learn more.
Admission Requirements
Interested in enrolling in the Robotics Engineering program under the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture (CETA)? Here is what you need to submit your application.Matthew Bradnan
BSCompE, 2020
Bradnan first became interested in robotics in high school when he programmed a robot to dance and flashlights according to the frequency of each note in the song it was playing. Once he started as a student at the University, he joined the robotics club here in the second half of his first year. He currently serves the treasurer of the organization. In his junior year, Bradnan joined the iExplore project as a volunteer support member. His job was to help out the capstone students working on the project, where he helped with the early planning stages and did some minor work on the motor control program. He is now working with fellow members of the robotics club on a quadrupedal robot as his capstone project. They are designing this robot to be lightweight and capable of both remote controlled and autonomous operation, with the intended use for navigation and scouting of disaster areas.
The core of what draws me to robotics can be divided into two parts. The first is that I’ve always had a broad range of interests, and I’ve never been satisfied being confined to one discipline. Robotics scratches this itch since it brings together so many different disciplines. I’ve got mechanical, electrical, computer, and laser representation in my capstone project alone. The second major draw for me is also what makes robotics so rewarding. In most fields, any program you write is going to be operate out of sight. Being able to sit down and write a program, send it to the robot, and watch the results play out before my eyes in the physical world is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in my academic career, and I think it’s one that’s unique to the field of robotics. It’s easily the closest I’ve ever been to feeling like I’m working magic.