Home
People
Publications
Research
Education
Robotics M.S.E
Courses
News & Events
Seminar Series
Contacts

Introduction | Curriculum | Environment | Admissions | Regulations

Master's of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.)

in

Academic Curriculum

The modern expert in robotics and intelligent systems must be proficient in artificial intelligence, computer vision, control systems, dynamics, machine learning, as well as the design, programming, and prototyping of robotic systems. Such subjects typically reside in different departments, and departmental programs do not offer the flexibility for cross-departmental training. The Robotics Master of Science In Engineering (M.S.E.) program offers a more balanced and flexible academic curriculum that cuts across multiple departments. 

 

The Robotics M.S.E. requirements consist of a total of ten courses, including an optional thesis project.

 

COURSES -

Robotics masters students are required to take three Foundational Courses, five Technical Elective Courses, and two Robotics Electives.

 

Students who wish to take all four Foundational Courses can use three to satisfy the Foundational Course requirement, and the remaining course can be used to satisfy either the Technical Elective or Robotics Elective requirement.

 

The Technical Elective Courses are typically offered by GRASP or related faculty.  Technical Electives allow the student to strengthen knowledge in a particular area, expand in related areas, as well as perform an optional master’s thesis with a GRASP faculty member.

ROBOTICS MSE CURRICULUM
FOUNDATIONAL COURSE OPTIONS (3)
Artificial Intelligence:

Students are required to take three Foundational Courses from the options listed in the Artificial Intelligence,  Robotics, &

Perception categories at left. Qualified students may take two of these courses and use a course from the Technical Elective Course Options to satisfy the Foundational Course requirement.

CIS 520

Machine Learning

CIS 521

Fundamentals of AI

Robotics:

MEAM 520

Robotics & Automation

MEAM 620

Motion Planning

Control:

ESE 500

Linear Systems

ESE 505

Control Systems Design

Perception:

CIS 580

Machine Perception

TECHNICAL ELECTIVE COURSE OPTIONS (5)

CIS 510

Geometric Methods

Students are required to take five of the Technical Elective Courses from the courses listed at left.

 

Options for completing the degree:

  • Two Technical Elective Courses
  • A Foundational Course and a Technical Elective Course
  • An Elective and one credit of Independent Study
  • Pursuing  research and completing a Thesis (two credits of  Thesis Research)

 

 

CIS 560

Computer Graphics

CIS 561

3D Computer Modeling

CIS 562

Computer Animation

CIS 563

Physically Based Animation

CIS 581

Computer Vision & Computational Photography

CIS 610

Advanced Geometric Methods

CIS 620

Advanced Topics in AI

CIS 665

GPU Programming & Architecture

CIS 680

Vision and Learning

EAS 545

Engineering Entrepreneurship I

EAS 546

Engineering Entrepreneurship II

ENM 510

Foundations of Engineering Math I

ENM 511

Foundations of Engineering Math II

ESE 504

Introduction to Optimization

ESE 530

Elements of Probability Theory & Random Processes

ESE 601

Hybrid Systems

ESE 605

Convex Optimization

ESE 617

Nonlinear Systems

ESE 650

Learning in Robotics

MEAM 510

Design of Mechatronic Systems

MEAM 515

Product Design

MEAM 535

Advanced Dynamics

ESE or CIS or MEAM 899 Independent Study

Only one Independent Study may be taken for the degree

ESE or CIS or MEAM 999 Thesis Research

ROBOTICS ELECTIVES (2)

Two Technical Elective Courses or substitution as approved by Advisor & Robotics Program Chair

Depending on the interests and goals of the student, additional courses may be suggested by the student’s advisor.

More details about courses can be found here.

 

CIS course information

www.cis.upenn.edu/ugrad/all-courses.shtml#CIS500

EAS course information

www.upenn.edu/registrar/register/eas.html

ENM course information

www.upenn.edu/registrar/register/enm.html

ESE course information

www.ese.upenn.edu/courses/register.html

MEAM course information www.me.upenn.edu/graduate/gradcourses.html

 

Click here for the Fall 2008 Robotics course options.

THESIS -

Students may pursue research and write an M.S.E thesis on a suitable topic under the supervision of a GRASP faculty member (usually but not necessarily their academic advisor). The thesis must be prepared and submitted following the SEAS and University of Pennsylvania requirements as outlined at www.upenn.edu/VPGE/masters.html.

 

ADVISING -

Students are assigned an academic advisor from the distinguished members of the GRASP faculty. Applicants are encouraged to indicate a potential academic advisor in the personal statement section of the application. A program of study is developed with the academic advisor, who is responsible for monitoring the student's academic plan and thesis work; the thesis supervisor will be typically the academic advisor. Click here to access the Robotics Plan of Study Form. 

     

questions - mfelker@cis.upenn.edu             

 rhx