At long last, Miami’s CEC has received approval for the new robotics engineering major. 

Incoming first-year students as well as current students are encouraged to investigate and explore what the new major has to offer.  

The major, a multidisciplinary field that combines skills from areas including electrical, computer and mechanical engineering, has three concentrations to choose from:

• Automation
• Artificial intelligence/intelligent systems
• General robotics

Several new courses are being added to fulfill the robotics engineering curriculum, and an industrial robotics lab with collaborative robotic arms will be available for hands- on learning in the classroom.

Dean Beena Sukumaran emphasizes the demand for graduates in the field.

"With the increase in artificial intelligence and robotics in manufacturing, medicine, transportation and defense, robotics engineering will be a key skill needed in the Ohio workforce,” Dean Sukumaran said. 

Assistant teaching professor Dr. Dave Hartup notes that students will have the opportunity to work with an array of state-of-the-art robots.

“Students can become certified in the operation of these robots, which is a key accomplishment sought by many employers,” Dr. Hartup said. 

Opportunities for graduates are wide-ranging and plentiful. Dr. Qihou Zhou, ECE professor and department chair, is confident that there is something for everyone within the new major. 

“I think the curriculum that we have put together is going to have a broad appeal, not only to the  traditional manufacturing side...but also to emerging technologies and many other advanced areas,” he said. 

To learn more, you can read about the Robotics Engineering program as well as review the Robotics Engineering section of the Miami Bulletin .

By Lisa Farthing & Jenna Calderón, CEC Comm. Team