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Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering

Lawrence Tech’s undergraduate program is the first one of its kind in the state and the second in the nation. It is a truly unique and interdisciplinary degree, offering a progressive curriculum that blends mechanical and electrical engineering, robotics, and computer science.

You’ll have access to a dedicated robotics lab fitted with a test area, build benches, and robotics kits. You’ll also receive a high-end laptop computer, equipped with the latest industry standard software, allowing you to work whenever – and wherever – the moment strikes.

Whether in or out of the classroom, you will be afforded a myriad of opportunities to gain practical, real-world experiences. In addition to your required projects, you will be encouraged to participate in competitions that put Lawrence Tech teams on a global stage, up against some of the best robotics developers in the world. These challenging opportunities include:

• Robofest VCC (Vision Centric Challenge): A competition presented by Lawrence Tech that promotes research on computer vision and autonomous mobile robots. (www.robofest.net)
• Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC): This hands-on design experience is at the very leading edge of engineering education. Multidisciplinary and theory-based, IGVC is an autonomous robot vehicle competition that encompasses the latest technologies impacting industrial development. (www.igvc.org)

As a BS in Robotics Engineering student, you’ll also have the opportunity to mentor robotics teams from local middle and high schools. On-campus research and development jobs in robotics labs may also be available to highly qualified robotics engineering students, allowing you to gain even more professional experience and putting you one step closer to a rewarding career in robotics engineering.

“I really enjoy the curriculum. It’s a great balance between having fun and being challenged to succeed” Ryan Moreno - Student

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“I’ve been able to take what I’ve learned and immediately apply it at my intern position.”
Brandon Simoncic - Student

Educational Objectives

The educational objectives of the Robotics Engineering program are as follows:

1. Graduates will lead teams to proficiently address multidisciplinary technical problems in a global work environment.
2. Graduates will use ethical judgment, critical thinking, business acumen, and effective communication skills in a team setting to create and implement innovative engineering solutions that meet customer needs.
3. Graduates will engage in lifelong learning and contribute to the engineering profession in order to address contemporary engineering and societal challenges.

Student Outcomes

The student outcomes for the Robotics Engineering program at Lawrence Technological University are:

• an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
• an ability to design a robotic system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints, such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;
• an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;
• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
• an ability to communicate effectively;
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;
• a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, lifelong learning;
• a knowledge of contemporary issues; and 
• an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

True to Lawrence Tech’s unique blend of theory and practice, robotics engineering students are encouraged to take part in internships or cooperative education (co-op). This opportunity provides hands-on, practical engineering experience that is a distinct advantage when approaching future employers.

A majority of LTU engineering students participate in internships and co-ops starting as early as the sophomore year. LTU co-op students may choose to alternate semesters working and attending classes on a full-time basis, or pursue paid full time work and school in parallel.

Other students pursue less structured job experiences such as a paid part-time or summer employment. A student who has been offered a co-op position may seek academic credit through the Office of Career Services, which will evaluate the work assignment(s) and approve registration. Internships, an alternative to co-op, are known for the flexibility they can provide.

Internships are paid, like co-op, and can be done during fall, spring, and/or summer. All engineering internships are paid, provide real job experiences, including part-time employment, and can be done during fall, spring, and/or summer. Internships and co-ops can be great confidence builders and strong facilitators of the school-to-work transition. They are excellent opportunities for students to gain experience working in their field and provide insights about potential employers, their products, and work environment.

Visit LTU's Office of Career Services

The 1300 square foot Robotics Engineering Lab will be your “hands on” resource from your first year until the day you graduate. With electronic equipment, basic components, work space, space to test autonomous platforms, light fabrication facilities, 3-D printing, and a Laboratory Instructor with many years of experience in industry, the Robotics Engineering Lab has what you need to succeed with everything from Freshman class projects to your Senior Capstone Project.

What will you typically do in the lab as part of your B.S. Robotics Engineering degree?
Wiring and Soldering
Programming (mostly C++, C#)
Wire and program a line following robot  (Freshman)
Fabricate a circuit such as a micro-controller board or H bridge (Sophomore)
Program and demonstrate a vision based autonomous platform (Sophomore)
Design fabricate / program/ demonstrate a small robotic arm (Junior)
Operate industrial robotic arms (Junior)
Conceive of and prototype a robotic consumer product (Senior)
Design and fabricate a robot for your Senior Capstone Project
(e.g. Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition, Service  Robot, Industrial Project)
Competitions and Robotics Engineering Students Society activities.

Equipment:

• Power supplies
  
• Signal generators
• Oscilloscopes
• Meters
• 3D printer
• Band saw
• Belt sander
• Small Lathe
• CNC vertical mill
• Other machine tools are in the Engineering Fabrication Lab