The Robotics and Automation concentration within the Electrical Engineering major provides students with a foundation in circuits, sensing, signal processing, and control systems, while offering specialized coursework in robotics, electromechanical actuation, and automation technologies.
 
This concentration prepares students to architect and control robotic and automated systems by integrating electrical engineering fundamentals with actuators, power electronics, sensor interfaces, embedded control, and feedback systems. Students gain extensive hands-on experience through design, control implementation, and project-based work involving robotic and automated systems.
 
Graduates will be ready for careers in industrial robotics, smart manufacturing, autonomous systems, aerospace and defense automation, and related fields requiring deep expertise in control, sensing, and intelligent electromechanical integration.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

  1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies. 

Effective Fall 2026

In order to maintain professional standards required of practicing engineers, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000 in ECE courses as a graduation requirement. It is the responsibility of any student who fails to maintain a 2.000 average to work with their advisor to correct grade point deficiencies. In addition, ECE courses required for the major at the 100, 200, and 300 level must be passed with a minimum grade of C (2.000); grades below a C will require the student to retake the course. ECE courses designated as an elective are exempt from the C or higher minimum grade requirement. 

Freshman
AUCCCredits
CHEM 111General Chemistry I (GT-SC2)3A4
CHEM 112General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1)3A1
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
ENGR 111Fundamentals of Engineering 3
ENGR 114Engineering for Grand Challenges 3
MATH 160Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1)1B4
MATH 161Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1)1B4
PH 141Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)3A5
Choose one group from the following:1 3
Group A
  
Culture and Coding: Python3B 
Group B
  
3B 
Group C
  
3B 
 Total Credits 30
Sophomore
 
ECE 205Analog Circuits I 3
ECE 206Analog Circuits II 3
ECE 232Introduction to Project Practices 1
ECE 252Introduction to Digital Circuits 3
ECE 253Microcontrollers and C for Internet-of-Things 3
MATH 261Calculus for Physical Scientists III 4
MATH 340Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations 4
PH 142Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1)3A5
Select one group from the following:1 4
Group A
  
CS1--Computational Thinking with Java  
Group B
  
CS1--Computational Thinking with Java
CS1---No Prior Programming Experience
  
Group C
  
Python for STEM  
CS1--Introduction to Java Programming  
1C1C3
 Total Credits 33
Junior
 
ECE 303/STAT 303Introduction to Communications Principles 3
ECE 311Linear System Analysis I 3
ECE 312Linear System Analysis II 3
ECE 331Electronics Principles I 4
ECE 332Electronics Principles II4A4
ECE 341Electromagnetic Fields and Devices I 3
ECE 342Electromagnetic Fields and Devices II 3
JTC 300 or CO 301BStrategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)
Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3)
23
Electives 2 7
 Total Credits 33
Senior
 
ECE 401Senior Design Project I4A,4B3
ECE 402Senior Design Project II4C3
ECE 411Control Systems 3
Technical Electives (See list below) 12
Arts and Humanities3B3
Historical Perspectives3D3
Social and Behavioral Sciences3C3
 Total Credits 30
 Program Total Credits: 126

 Technical Electives  

CS 345Machine Learning Foundations and Practice 33
CS 445Introduction to Machine Learning 34
ECE 412Digital Control and Digital Filters3
ECE 450Digital System Design Laboratory1
ECE 451Digital System Design3
ECE 452Computer Organization and Architecture3
ECE 455Introduction to Robot Programming/Simulation3
ECE 456Computer Networks4
ECE 463Electrical Motors and Generators4
ECE 528/CS 528Embedded Systems and Machine Learning4
ECE 529Signal Processing & Artificial Intelligence3
ECE 561/CS 561Hardware/Software Design of Embedded Systems4
MECH 414Machine Learning-Mechanical Engr Automation 33
MECH 415Rotorcraft Modeling and Control3
MECH 416Introduction to Robotic Manipulators3
MECH 564Fundamentals of Robot Mechanics and Controls3
Select up to one course from the following:3-4
Advanced Dynamics 3
Mechanical Engineering Vibrations 3
Advanced Mechanical Systems 3
1

Recommended sequence for most incoming students is Group A: CS 150B to CS 164.

2

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 126 credits, of which at least 42 credits must be upper-division (300-level or higher).

3

Additional prerequisite coursework beyond degree requirements may be required to access some MECH/CS courses.

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:

TO PREPARE FOR FIRST SEMESTER:  The curriculum for this major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus.   

In order to maintain professional standards required of practicing engineers, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000 in electrical engineering courses as a graduation requirement. It is the responsibility of any student who fails to maintain a 2.000 average to work with their advisor to correct grade point deficiencies. ECE courses required for the major at the 100, 200, and 300 level must be passed with a minimum grade of C (2.000); grades below a C will require the student to retake the course.  ECE courses designated as an elective are exempt from the C or higher minimum grade requirement. 

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CHEM 111General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) X3A4
CHEM 112General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1) X3A1
ENGR 111Fundamentals of EngineeringX  3
MATH 160Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1)X 1B4
Course(s) from Group A, B, or C (See options in Program Requirements Tab) X3B3
 Total Credits   15
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2) X1A3
ENGR 114Engineering for Grand ChallengesX  3
MATH 161Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1)X 1B4
PH 141Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)X 3A5
 Total Credits   15
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ECE 205Analog Circuits IX  3
ECE 252Introduction to Digital CircuitsX  3
MATH 261Calculus for Physical Scientists IIIX  4
Course(s) from Group A, B, or C (See options in Program Requirements Tab)X  4
1C X1C3
 Total Credits   17
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ECE 206Analog Circuits IIX  3
ECE 232Introduction to Project PracticesX  1
ECE 253Microcontrollers and C for Internet-of-ThingsX  3
MATH 340Intro to Ordinary Differential EquationsX  4
PH 142Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1)X 3A5
 Total Credits   16
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ECE 303/STAT 303Introduction to Communications PrinciplesX  3
ECE 311Linear System Analysis IX  3
ECE 331Electronics Principles IX  4
ECE 341Electromagnetic Fields and Devices IX  3
Electives X 3
 Total Credits   16
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ECE 312Linear System Analysis IIX  3
ECE 332Electronics Principles IIX 4A4
ECE 342Electromagnetic Fields and Devices IIX  3
JTC 300 or CO 301BStrategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)
Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3)
 X23
Electives X 4
 Total Credits   17
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ECE 401Senior Design Project IX 4A,4B3
ECE 411Control SystemsX  3
Technical Electives (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  6
Arts and Humanities X3B3
 Total Credits   15
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ECE 402Senior Design Project IIX 4C3
Technical Electives (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)X  6
Historical Perspectives X 3D3
Social and Behavioral SciencesX 3C3
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   15
 Program Total Credits:   126