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.

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Curriculum Requirements – Minor in Robotics

Rules and Policies for the Robotics Minor

  • A minimum 2.5 QPA in the Minor curriculum is required for graduation.

  • Courses taken Pass/Fail or audited do not count toward the Minor.

  • Courses used to satisfy the requirements for the Robotics Minor may not be counted toward another minor.

  • Students may double count up to two courses from their Major (excluding General Education requirements) toward the Robotics Minor.

  • Free electives are not subject to the double counting policy.

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
16-281 General Robotics (formerly 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
Two Electives 16-3xx and 16-4xx are pre-approved. Students may count up to 12 units of either 16-597 Undergraduate Reading and Research or 99-270 Summer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship towards the major requirements. Graduate-level Robotics courses and electives outside the Robotics Institute may be used to fulfill elective requirements with prior approval from the RI Undergraduate Program Director.

Minor in Robotics

Rules and Policies for the Robotics Minor

  • A minimum 2.5 QPA in the Minor curriculum is required for graduation.

  • Courses taken Pass/Fail or audited do not count toward the Minor.

  • Courses used to satisfy the requirements for the Robotics Minor may not be counted toward another minor.

  • Students may double count up to two courses from their Major (excluding General Education requirements) toward the Robotics Minor.

  • Free electives are not subject to the double counting policy.

Prerequisites

Successful candidates for the Robotics Additional major will have prerequisite knowledge of Calculus, Basic Math, and Programming in C. Calculus can be fulfilled with 21-259 or 21-254, while Basic Math options include courses 21-240, 21-241, 21-260, 18-202, or 24-311. C programming proficiency can be gained through 15-122, 16-311, 24-280 or similar courses based on experience level.

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum for the Robotics Minor is outlined below:

Requirements Choose 6 courses total
Overview (Choose 1) 16-280 Intelligent Robot Systems
16-281 General Robotics (formerly 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
15-362/462 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
Two Electives 16-3xx and 16-4xx are pre-approved. Students may count up to 12 units of either 16-597 Undergraduate Reading and Research or 99-270 Summer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship towards the major requirements. Graduate-level Robotics courses and electives outside the Robotics Institute may be used to fulfill elective requirements with prior approval from the RI Undergraduate Program Director.

Minor in Robotics

Rules and Policies for the Robotics Minor

  • A minimum 2.5 QPA in the Minor curriculum is required for graduation.

  • Courses taken Pass/Fail or audited do not count toward the Minor.

  • Courses used to satisfy the requirements for the Robotics Minor may not be counted toward another minor.

  • Students may double count up to two courses from their Major (excluding General Education requirements) toward the Robotics Minor.

  • Free electives are not subject to the double counting policy.

Prerequisites

Successful candidates for the Robotics Additional major will have prerequisite knowledge of Calculus, Basic Math, and Programming in C. Calculus can be fulfilled with 21-259 or 21-254, while Basic Math options include courses 21-240, 21-241, 21-260, 18-202, or 24-311. C programming proficiency can be gained through 15-122, 16-311, 24-280 or similar courses based on experience level.

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
16-281 General Robotics (formerly 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
Two Electives  16-3xx and 16-4xx are pre-approved. Students may count up to 12 units of either 16-597 Undergraduate Reading and Research or 99-270 Summer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship towards the major requirements. Graduate-level Robotics courses and electives outside the Robotics Institute may be used to fulfill elective requirements with prior approval from the RI Undergraduate Program Director.

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.

Rules and Policies for the Robotics Concentration

  • Courses used to satisfy the requirements for the Robotics Concentration may not be counted toward another minor or concentration.

  • Students must complete a minimum of 27 units that are not double counted with any other program.

  • A maximum of two courses may be double counted with other programs.

  • The Robotics Concentration is supported by a dedicated advisor; for questions, contact Samantha Bridge at sbridge@andrew.cmu.edu.

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.

Course Requirements

Required Core Courses Choose 5 courses total
One of the following courses: 16-280 Intelligent Robot Systems
16-281 General Robotics (formerly 16-311 Introduction to Robotics)
Plus these two courses 16-299 Introduction to Feedback Control Systems
16-384 Kinematics and Dynamics
2 Electives 16-3xx and 16-4xx are pre-approved. Students may count up to 12 units of either 16-597 Undergraduate Reading and Research or 99-270 Summer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship towards the major requirements. Graduate-level Robotics courses and electives outside the Robotics Institute may be used to fulfill elective requirements with prior approval from the RI Undergraduate Program Director.