Robotics and Intelligent Systems

Advising Track in MS in Basic Science
Advising Track in MS in Engineering Science

Talk of robotics might bring to mind the humanoid metal machines we see in sci-fi movies. But the technologies that make up robotics and intelligent autonomous systems are proliferate and already in homes in the form of Roomba vacuums, MakerBot printers, Mavic drones and Microsoft Kinect with its use of multi-sensor technologies. And they’ve entered public consciousness in the form of self-driving vehicles such as Waymo cars and Mars rovers.

Robotics and intelligent systems have become a key enabling technology, driving innovation across major industries such as transportation, energy, manufacturing, health care, consumer goods and defense. Real-world use of these technologies include:

  • Automated factories and distribution centers such as Rethink’s Sawyer and Amazon’s Kiva.
  • Health care systems such as da Vinci Surgical Systems and LUKE prosthetics arms.
  • Defense systems such as Boston Dynamics’ BigDog and Lockheed Martin’s ONYX exoskeleton.

As a result, the need for specialized education in robotics and intelligent systems is growing. Technology companies now seek entry-level expertise in fields such as controls, robotic systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, multi-modal sensing and computational linguistics in order to rapidly prototype and release “smart” systems into the marketplace.

Overview

The Robotics and Intelligent Systems Advising Track at Clarkson University prepares students for a career in the robotics field by teaching the concepts and skills that serve as a foundation for robotic and intelligent systems development with in-depth knowledge in the key areas of perception, cognition and action:

  • Perception courses teach  the skills needed to use multiple sensors, such as video cameras, Lidar, ToF, GPS, IMU, and odometry, to collect and process real-world information
  • Cognition courses teach the skills needed to understand and learn from collected data
  • Action courses teach the skills needed to implement intelligent control systems for the actuation of robotic systems

Students who successfully complete the track will be prepared for a wide variety of jobs spanning the fields of robotics, vehicle automation, computer vision, artificial intelligence, ubiquitous computing, additive manufacturing, 3D scanning, intelligent consumer goods, smart healthcare and more.

Coursework

The Robotics and Intelligent Systems Advising Track will offer three options for completion: Thesis, Project, and Course Only. The Project and Course Only options can be completed either online or on campus at Clarkson University’s main campus in Potsdam. The Thesis option can be completed in either 1.5 years or 2 years, while the Project and Course Only option can be completed in 1, 1.5 or 2 years.  All courses will be offered on the 15 week semester schedule. View additional detail on the course descriptions page.

Required Core Courses For All Options:
Core Courses (15 credits or 5 courses are required)

  1. Robotics Foundation (one from following):
    1. Introduction to Mobile Robotics
    2. Introduction to Robotic Manipulators
  2. Perception (one from following):
    1. Computer Vision
    2. Multi-Modal Sensor Fusion
  3. Cognition (one from following):
    1. Computational Learning
    2. Artificial Intelligence
    3. Deep Learning
  4. Action (one from following):
    1. Control Systems
    2. Digital Control
    3. Linear Control System
    4. Advanced Modeling and Simulation of Dynamic Systems
  5. Mathematical Foundation (one from the following)
    1. Matrix Theory and Computations
    2. Numerical Analysis
    3. Introduction to Applied Optimization
    4. Probability
    5. Probability and Statistics for Analytics (for Project and Course Only students)

Elective Courses:
Thesis Option: Minimum 6 credits or 2 courses
Project Option: Minimum 12 credits or 4 courses
Course Only Option: Minimum 15 credits or 5 courses
If not chosen to fulfill core course requirements:

  1. Introduction to Mobile Robotics
  2. Introduction to Robotic Manipulators
  3. Computer Vision
  4. Multi-Modal Sensor Fusion
  5. Computational Learning
  6. Artificial Intelligence
  7. Deep Learning
  8. Control Systems
  9. Digital Control
  10. Linear Control System

Other Electives:

  1. Advanced Modeling and Simulation of Dynamic Systems
  2. Natural Language Processing
  3. Computer Graphics
  4. Mixed Reality
  5. Human-Robot Interaction
  6. Parallel Programming
  7. Advanced CAD Design

For thesis option only:Thesis course (Minimum of 7 credits)
Seminar course (2 credits)

For project option only:Project Course (Minimum of 3 credits)

Who should apply?

Students possessing a BS or equivalent degree in computer science, math, engineering or other closely related subject, with career goals of pursuing an industry role in robotics, intelligent systems and automation.

A complete application file consists of the following items :

  • application form (Please select either MS in Basic Science or MS in Engineering Science for Academic Plan. Then select yes to the question, are you interested in pursuing the Robotics and Intelligent System Advisement Track)
  • resume
  • statement of purpose
  • letters of recommendation — three letters required
  • official transcripts
  • test scores — GRE* and TOEFL/IELTS (if applicable)

*GRE may be waived for some applicants.