What You Need to Know Before Choosing a Robotics Degree

How to Choose a Robotics Degree Program

If you want a career in the robotics field, getting a degree in robotics and embedded systems is an important start. There are many robotics majors and schools to choose from. This article will outline what it takes to find the right degree and the right school for you.

Types of Robotics Degrees

There are several types of robotics degrees. There are undergraduate options including associate’s and bachelor’s degrees and post-graduate degrees including master’s and Ph.D. programs.

If you’re not already in the robotics industry, you’ll likely be interested in a bachelor’s degree. This is usually a four-year degree during which time you’ll study subjects such as mechanical engineering and design, electronic engineering, computer science, and mathematics.

If you’ve been designing robots or are already working in the robotics industry, a master’s degree will give you the experience and knowledge you will need to advance your career prospects. A doctoral degree is helpful if you’re interested in teaching or working in academia.

Finding a Robotics College

Look for colleges and robotics majors that are accredited and have a good reputation. You want a university that graduates students who have the required knowledge and hands-on skills to work in the field. Search for colleges online using phrases such as “best robotics colleges”, “robotics degree” and “accredited robotics and embedded systems degrees” to find information about the academic curriculum, majors, and teaching style of the program and college.

Ask the universities you’re interested in for information about admission procedures and requirements. Make sure the school's alumni network is active and that the school has a robotics club or robotics team. Research the school's financial aid policy, including financial aid advisors, student services, and the school's terms and conditions of student loans.

Choosing a Robotics Degree

Choosing the right robotics degree is an important part of your selection process as it will set the foundation for your robotics career. Start by thinking about your career goals and how a robotics degree can help you achieve them. Consider the following questions:

Why do I want to study robotics?
What type of work do I want to do?
In what environment or industry do I want to apply my robotics training?
What type of robotics do I want to build or work with?
Do I plan to further my education with a Master’s or Ph D?

Taking time now to think about what you want in your future robotics career will help you find the right degree and best college for your specific goals.

After compiling your list of potential robotics universities, you will want to compare each of their programs. In addition to being an accredited university, you want to make sure the robotics degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the field. Look for colleges that have on-site robotics labs or maker facilities. Building robots and testing their capabilities requires space and an on-site lab indicates that you will be doing a lot of hands-on learning.

Next, compare the types of courses each college requires for their robotics degree. Review course descriptions, check out the instructors and look for unique offerings such as internships, practicums, or accelerated learning. Each university will have different requirements but here are a few courses that you should look for:

Mechanical Design
Digital Logic Design
Embedded Programming
Design of Robotics Systems
Software Development
Adaptive Development and Design of Robotic Systems

Putting It All Together

A career in robotics is exciting, meaningful, and full of cutting-edge technology. Taking time to understand what robotics degrees are available to you and knowing your career goals will ensure you find the right robotics degree and the right robotics university for your needs.

Here are a few online resources for you to use when choosing a robotics degree university:

University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog