{"id":152688,"date":"2024-09-03T12:02:11","date_gmt":"2024-09-03T16:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/eng\/?post_type=bu-program-page&p=152688"},"modified":"2026-06-18T16:41:53","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T20:41:53","slug":"concentration-in-robotics","status":"publish","type":"bu-program-page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/eng\/academics\/explore-degree-programs\/concentration-in-robotics\/","title":{"rendered":"Concentration in Robotics"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Robotics is a rapidly expanding field that combines mechanical design, sensing, actuation, and computations. Robotic systems are already transforming industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics, and have the potential to further improve productivity and quality of life in many areas of society. As an interdisciplinary field, robotics requires a diverse skill set, making it an exciting area of study for engineering students.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Concentration in Robotics builds upon the fundamentals from the undergraduate engineering curriculum, and offers students the opportunity to focus on a specific subset of robotics. By pursuing this concentration, students will gain in-depth knowledge and skills in areas such as design, computation, perception, path planning, and real-time control, preparing them for careers in industry or research in one of the many areas encompassed by robotics.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The required course in the concentration offers a system-level view of a robotic system, while the additional classes provide students with a deep-dive into the fundamental building blocks of robotics. In addition to the required course, the concentration also includes a required experiential component, where students will apply what they have learned in a practical setting. The 12-unit concentration is open to all undergraduate engineering students and will be noted on students\u2019 official transcripts. It is recommended that students interested in pursuing a Concentration in Robotics declare<\/a> their concentration as early as possible in their degree program to facilitate course planning, but in no case later than May 1 of a student\u2019s junior year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

By pursuing a Concentration in Robotics, students will gain a valuable skill set that is highly sought after in today’s job market, and prepare them to meet the current and future needs of society.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Concentration Requirements<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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  1. A sequence of three courses (12 units)<\/strong> consisting of\u00a0one required course and two additional courses chosen from the list below.\u00a0Students are expected to have the prerequisites necessary to complete all concentration courses.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Required Course <\/strong>(4 units)<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    ENG ME 416<\/a> – Intro to Robotics (offered both semesters, but recommended that it be taken in junior year). Note that students who take the course in the Fall Senior term are ineligible to use Senior Project to satisfy the Experiential Component.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Additional Courses\u00a0<\/strong>(Choose two courses \u2013 8 units)<\/em>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Two courses from any of the lists below, but no more than one from each of group A, B, C or D (courses in group E do not have constraints.)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Group A<\/strong>:
    ENG ME 403<\/a> – Atmospheric Flight Mechanics and Control
    ENG ME 404<\/a> – Dynamics and Control of Mechanical Systems
    ENG EC 402<\/a> – Control Systems
    ENG BE 404<\/a> – Modern Control in Biomedical Engineering

    Group B:<\/strong>
    ENG EC414<\/a> – Introduction to Machine Learning
    ENG EC 418<\/a> – Reinforcement Learning
    ENG EC 503<\/a> – Learning from Data
    ENG EC 518<\/a> – Robot Learning
    ENG EC 523<\/a> – Deep Learning

    Group C:<\/strong>
    ENG EC 444<\/a> – Smart and Connected Systems
    ENG EC 535<\/a> – Introduction to Embedded Systems
    ENG EC\/ME\/SE 544<\/a> – Networking the Physical World
    ENG EC 545<\/a> – Cyber-Physical Systems

    Group D:<\/strong>
    ENG ME 568<\/a> – Soft Robotic Technologies
    ENG ME 571<\/a> – Medical Robotics

    Group E<\/strong> (no constraints):
    ENG EC 520<\/a> – Digital Image Processing and Communication
    ENG ME 345<\/a> – Automation & Manufacturing Methods
    ENG ME 560<\/a> – Precision Machine Design and Instrumentation
    ENG ME 570<\/a> – Robot Motion Planning<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Please note that courses required (by name\/number) for the student\u2019s major cannot also be counted towards the three courses applied to fulfill the concentration.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    2<\/strong>. Experiential Component:\u00a0<\/strong>Completion of a well-defined experiential component in Robotics. A laboratory research, internship, senior design project or directed study can satisfy this requirement. Note:\u00a0The Experiential Component requires completion of ENG ME416 and approval prior to doing the experience<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    This requirement must be approved by the Concentration Coordinator<\/a> and the Experiential Component Proposal Approval form<\/a>, along with a written proposal, must be submitted to the Undergraduate Records Office<\/a>. Upon conclusion, an Experiential Component Summary form<\/a> including a written summary, must also be submitted for approval by 5pm on the due date. Please see summary instructions<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Resources<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n