Type of Degree

Undergraduate Certificate

School or College

College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Area of Study

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Program Format

On-campus, Full-time

Credit hours to graduate

A minimum of 15 credit hours

Autonomy and robotics are transformative technologies driving innovation across many industries, fostering economic growth and enhancing quality of life.

Program Overview

A wheeled robot sits in the foreground of an electrical engineering lab

The Undergraduate Certificate in Autonomy and Robotics (UCAR) provides you with a strong foundation in autonomous systems, robotics, and/or artificial intelligence. You will complement your coursework in these areas with experiential learning in our teaching labs. Completion of the program certifies to employers your readiness to begin your career in engineering positions focused on autonomous systems and robotics. 

Key technology sectors include manufacturing (e.g. enhanced production processes and improved precision), transportation (e.g. autonomous vehicles and enhanced traffic control), healthcare (e.g. robotic surgeries and patient care), agriculture (e.g. precision farming and agricultural robotics), defense (e.g. swarms and guidance systems), and energy (e.g. autonomous power systems). In this context, “autonomy” refers to the capability of an engineered system to operate autonomously. Achieving this involves algorithm and software design, which in turn involves concepts from signals and systems, control theory, and artificial intelligence. “Robotics” in this context refers to the design, construction, and operation of robots and machinery to perform tasks, and involves mechanical design, actuator/sensor design, mathematical modeling, and embedded programming.

Local companies with expanding needs in these areas include: Beta Technologies, GlobalFoundries, Green Mountain Power, Dynapower, Hazelett, Husky, and Rigorous Technology.

 

Curriculum

The 15-credit UCAR program provides education and experiential learning in control and embedded programming. Students can choose to further specialize in automation algorithms, robotics, and/or machine learning.

Required Coursework (6 credits):

Course Number

Title

Credits

One of the following:

EE 2845 (4 cr), or

CMPE 3815 (4 cr), or

CS 2830 (3 cr) or

ME 2XXX (coming)

 

Digital control with embedded systems,

Microcontroller systems

Embedded Programming in C

Mechatronics

3/4

One of the following:

EE 3515 (4 cr) or

ME 3320 (3 cr)

 

Control Systems

3/4

 

Preapproved electives (6 credits minimum):

Course Number

Title

EE 3530 

Digital Signal Processing

EE 5540

Real-time control systems

ME 5XXX (coming)

Fundamentals of robotics

EE 5550 

Autonomy I

EE XXXX (coming)

Autonomy II

One of

EE XXXX (coming) or

CS 3540 or

CS 5540

 

Machine learning for engineers

Machine Learning

Advanced Machine Learning

CS 3060

Evolutionary Robotics

Credit bearing experience* (3 credits required)

Course Number

Title

EE/ME/CS 3991 or equivalent

Internship

EE/ME/CS 3995 or equivalent

Undergraduate Research

EE 4200** / ME 4020** or equivalent

Capstone Design II

EE/ME 2996 or CS 4996 or equivalent

Honors Thesis

*topic must be relevant to autonomy and robotics field

** by petition only

Admissions

Pre- or Co-Required Courses (NOT officially part of the certificate)

Discipline

Course Number (Current)

Title

Fundamental Math

Math 1234

Math 1248

Math 3201

Calculus 1

Calculus 2

Advanced Engineering math

Computer Programming

CS 1210

Computer Programming

Electrical Engineering

EE 2145 or 2175 or 2125 or equivalent

Electrical Engineering Concepts/Circuits

Participating faculty

Hamid Ossareh

Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering

hossareh@uvm.edu

Luis Duffaut Espinosa

Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering

lduffaut@uvm.edu

Laura Treers

Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering

laura.treers@uvm.edu

Jason Hibbeler

Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science Vice Chair

jason.hibbeler@uvm.edu

Outcomes

The learning objectives of the Undergraduate Certificate in Autonomy and Robotics (UCAR) are as follows:

  • Design and assemble circuits with sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers to build, program, and test autonomous systems, including robots.

  • Explain and classify robots and robotic systems.

  • Mathematically model, and design autonomy algorithms for, a wide range of practical systems including DC motors, smart grids, ground and aerial vehicles, and robot manipulators.

  • Use programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB) and simulation tools (e.g., ROS, Gazebo) to model, control, and simulate the behavior of autonomous systems.

  • Program microcontrollers to implement and deploy autonomy algorithms.

Completion of the UCAR program will equip students with the best practices and actionable knowledge and experience needed:

  • To make a powerful impact on their current or future employer's innovation, design, and automation efforts

  • To pursue graduate studies in the fields relevant to autonomy and robotics