Master of science in robotics

    Pursue a career with measurable impact in Wayne State University’s industry-driven master of science in robotics degree program. With applications across every aspect of day-to-day life — especially in mobility, manufacturing, agriculture, health care and supply chain management — the hands-on M.S. in robotics positions you for success in a variety of roles and sectors.

    Program highlights

    • Three concentrations to customize your learning
    • State-of-the-art research laboratories
    • Thesis or non-thesis track option
    • No GRE to apply
    • Online study option

    What will you learn in the robotics program?

    Prepare for fast-paced, high-demand environments at the leading edge of the automation and technology sector. The robotics master’s degree program at Wayne State is designed for smart technology in areas like autonomous driving, connectivity, smart infrastructure and electrification. You’ll study and apply programming languages like Python, develop methods of engineering analysis, and practice theories and applications for robot architectures, sensing, perception, planning, dynamics and control.

    M.S. in robotics curriculum

    Complete the 30-credit master’s in robotics engineering on a Plan A (Doctoral degree track) or Plan C (professional preparation track) degree path. On Plan A, you will complete 24 course credits and a six-credit master’s thesis. Plan C involves 30 credits of coursework, which can include six credits of internship experience.

    The robotics program curriculum offers three concentration options: industrial automation, intelligent control or smart mobility. The industrial automation option can also be completed online.

    Review the master of science in robotics program curriculum

    Three concentration options to customize your study

    Wayne State’s master of science in robotics program can be tailored to fit your career ambitions. Build your expertise in one of three concentrations:

    • Industrial Automation (online), hosted by the Engineering Technology (ET) department.

      This online program prepares you for heavy industrial environments with skills in engineering analysis, industrial applications of advanced programmable controllers, machine tool laboratories, robotics and flexible manufacturing.

    • Intelligent Control, hosted by the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department.

      Place yourself at the forefront of the next generation of technology through courses in fuzzy systems, industrial robot modeling and simulation, Python, VLSI systems, nonlinear control systems, and smart sensor technology.

    • Smart mobility, hosted by the Computer Science (CSC) department.

      Design and improve mobility solutions by developing a background in cyber-physical systems, mechatronics, computer graphics, AI and machine learning.

    • M.S. in robotics — Industrial automation courses (online)
      Course code Course title Credits
      Foundational Areas (Please select 1 course from each area)   10

      Robot Software & Programming

         
      CSC 6110 Software Engineering  
      or ET 5600 Python: Industrial Applications  
      Robot Architectures    
      CSC/ECE 5280 Introduction to Cyber-Physical Systems  
      or ET 5100 Fundamentals of Mechatronics and Industrial Applications  

      Robot Sensing, Perception, Planning, Dynamics & Control

         
      ECE 5425 Robotic Systems I  
      or MIT 5700 Industrial Robots Modeling and Simulation  
      Departmental Requirement   4
      ET 7430 Methods of Engineering Analysis  
      Electives   16
      EET 5720 Computer Networking Applications  
      EET 5730 Embedded Systems Networking  
      EET 7720 Advanced Computer Networking  
      ET 5110 Advanced Programmable Controllers and Industrial Applications  
      ET 5870 Engineering Project Management  
      ET 7300 Advanced Battery Systems for Electric-drive Vehicles  
      ET 7800 Industrial Robots Dynamics and Control  
      MCT 5150 Hybrid Vehicle Technology  
      MCT 5210 Energy Sources and Conversion  
      MIT 5500 Machine Tool Laboratory  
      MIT 7700 Robotics and Flexible Manufacturing  
      ET 7999 Master's Project  
      Total credits   30
    • M.S. in robotics — Intelligent control courses
      Course code Course title Credits
      Foundational Areas (Please select 1 course from each area)   10
      Robot Software & Programming    
      CSC 6110 Software Engineering  
      or ET 5600 Python: Industrial Applications  
      Robot Architectures    
      CSC/ECE 5280 Introduction to Cyber-Physical Systems  
      or ET 5100 Fundamentals of Mechatronics and Industrial Applications  
      Robot Sensing, Perception, Planning, Dynamics & Control    
      ECE 5425 Robotic Systems I  
      or MIT 5700 Industrial Robots Modeling and Simulation  
      Departmental Requirements   8
      ECE 5470 Control Systems II  
      ECE 7425 Robotics Systems II  
      Electives   12
      ECE 5440 Computer-Controlled Systems  
      ECE 5620 Embedded System Design  
      ECE 6570 Smart Sensor Technology I: Design  
      ECE 5690 Introduction to Digital Image Processing  
      ECE 5770 Digital Signal Processing  
      ECE 6660 Introduction to VLSI Systems  
      ECE 7420 Nonlinear Control Systems  
      ECE 7430 Discrete Event Systems with Machine Learning  
      ECE 7440 Dynamic Systems and Optimal Control  
      ECE 7530 Advanced Digital VLSI Design  
      ECE 7690 Fuzzy Systems  
      ECE 8999 Master's Thesis Research and Direction  
      Total Credits   30
    • M.S. in robotics — Smart Mobility
      Course code Course title Credits
      Foundational Areas (Please select 1 course from each area)   10
      Robot Software & Programming    
      CSC 6110 Software Engineering  
      or ET 5600 Python: Industrial Applications  
      Robot Architectures    
      CSC/ECE 5280 Introduction to Cyber-Physical Systems  
      or ET 5100 Fundamentals of Mechatronics and Industrial Applications  
      Robot Sensing, Perception, Planning, Dynamics & Control    
      ECE 5425 Robotic Systems I  
      or MIT 5700 Industrial Robots Modeling and Simulation  
      Department Requirement   3
      CSC 5100 Introduction to Mobility  
      Electives   17
      CSC 5250 Network, Distributed, and Concurrent Programming  
      CSC 5270 Computer Systems Security  
      CSC 5825 Introduction to Machine Learning and Applications  
      CSC 5870 Computer Graphics I  
      CSC 6280 Real-Time and Embedded Operating Systems  
      CSC 6800 Artificial Intelligence I  
      CSC 6860 Digital Image Processing and Analysis  
      CSC 6870 Computer Graphics II  
      CSC 7991 Advanced Topics in Computer Science   
      CSC 8990 Graduate Seminar  
      CSC 8999 Master's Thesis Research and Direction  
      Total Credits   30

    Fast track your master’s degree with AGRADE (4+1) 

    Save time and money while advancing your credentials in Wayne State’s Accelerated Graduate Enrollment (AGRADE) program. If you are accepted into AGRADE, you will complete both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years by selecting 16 credits of coursework to count toward both your B.S. and M.S. in robotics.

    Careers with a master’s in robotics engineering

    The thriving industrial robotics sector is projected to expand nearly 12% annually to more than $33 billion in the next decade. The M.S. in robotics equips you with the theoretical expertise and practical skills necessary to design, operate, maintain and reimagine the tools to sustain that growth. 

    Salaries in the robotics field range from $60,000 for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians to more than $120,000 for engineers working in nuclear energy, oil and gas. 

    Common job titles include:

    • Robotics engineer
    • Electromechanical and robotics technician
    • Mechanical engineer
    • Design engineer
    • Software engineer
    • Hardware engineer
    • Sales engineer
    • Aerospace engineer
    • Computer scientist
    • UI/UX designer

     

    Tuition and financial aid

    Invest in your future at a low overall cost: Wayne State is the most affordable of Michigan’s top research universities, and our generous financial aid packages include scholarships and assistantships that can fund your studies and expand your professional experience.

    Learn more about Wayne State’s cost of attendance.

    Admission requirements for M.S. in robotics

    To apply, you must meet the requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the College of Engineering and the department within the college that administers your chosen concentration. 

    While we recommend holding a  bachelor’s or the equivalent in engineering from an accredited college or university, we consider accredited degrees from all science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines for admission. The minimum GPA for regular admission is 2.75, and 2.5 to 2.74 for qualified admission. We will also consider your professional experience in our admission decisions.

    Admission to the program is also contingent upon satisfying the following requirements:

    • No other supplemental admission documents are required. However, you may submit letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose and a professional resume/CV to aid the admission evaluation process.
    • If you have earned your degree(s) from a country where English is not the native language, you must demonstrate English proficiency via a qualified examination: a minimum score of 79 from the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or 550 from a paper-based TOEFL (pBT), an IELTS score of 6.5 or an overall Duolingo score of 125.
    • International applicants are required to submit an official course-by-course transcript evaluation. Accepted evaluation services include WES, ECE or SpanTran. Note that the official transcript evaluation must be transmitted directly from the evaluating agency to the WSU Office of Graduate Admissions. The transcript evaluation will serve as your official transcript.
    • All applicants must pay the $50 application fee.

    Application deadlines

    • Fall (begins in August): July 15
    • Winter (begins in January): Nov. 1
    • Spring/summer (spring begins in May; summer begins in June): Feb. 1

    Learn more about graduate admissions.

    Pioneer the future with a master of science in robotics

    Leap into the emerging and expanding workforce of robotics technologists and engineering specialists through Wayne State’s master of science in robotics program. Explore opportunities to earn your degree online, concentrate in industrial automation, intelligent control or smart mobility, and define your future with a thesis or internship.

    State-of-the-art facilities and laboratories

    Advance your capabilities using our robust on-campus assets, including interdisciplinary research spaces like the Robotics and Automation Lab, the CARES Lab, and the CAR Lab.