2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Work-in-Progress: Development of a new Robotics Engineering degree in response to industry needs

Presented at Multidisciplinary Engineering Division (MULTI) Technical Session 2

This “Work in progress” highlights development of a new B.S. program in robotics engineering in response to local employer needs. As with many states, [State Name] has a dearth of workers available to support a growing manufacturing industry. Many companies are introducing automation onto their facility floors and now have a growing need for staff engineers who can design systems, organize updates, and design processes that fully utilize automation capabilities. In response to this need, [University Name] faculty have designed a new B.S. degree program in robotics engineering to support automation, while at the same time incorporating research and development in areas of agriculture and natural resources, manufacturing, biomedicine and human health, and transportation and infrastructure. This “Work in progress” paper will outline the steps we have taken to utilize faculty input and established curriculum to develop an interdisciplinary program requiring a small number of new courses yet still meeting both ABET requirements for mechatronics and robotics and partner interest. Student reflections on the program and its first course offering have been gathered, along with reactions from faculty, to drive ongoing continuous improvement.

Authors

Dr. Nikhil Satyala University of Nebraska - Lincoln [biography]

Nikhil Satyala is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the School of Computing at the University of Nebraska. He specializes in undergraduate instruction, curriculum development, and hands-on engineering education. With a background in electrical and computer engineering, his work focuses on designing and teaching experiential learning modules that integrate robotics, automation, and software engineering.
Rachael Wagner University of Nebraska - Lincoln [biography]

Rachael is an Assistant Professor of Practice developing curriculum for the Robotics Engineering Program at UNL.
Dr. Tareq A Daher http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8901-0608 University of Nebraska - Lincoln [biography]

Tareq Daher graduated from the University of Mutah – Jordan with a BS in Computer Science with a focus on creating educational tools. He earned his Master’s and PhD degrees in Educational Studies at the University of Nebraska -Lincoln (UNL). Dr. Daher, is currently serving as the Director of the Engineering and Computing Education Core (ECEC) and an Assistant Professor of Practice of Engineering Education at the College of Engineering at UNL. Tareq focuses on transforming engineering education in the College through graduate courses, faculty professional development, teaching and facilitating undergraduate freshmen courses and engineering education research.
Dr. Carl A. Nelson P.E. http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4948-6286 University of Nebraska - Lincoln [biography]

Carl Nelson is a Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Dr. Mark R. Riley http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0249-0061 University of Nebraska - Lincoln [biography]

Mark R. Riley, Ph.D., is Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is Associate Director of the Nebraska Center for Energy Science Research and he has served as the Interim Director of the Bioprocess Development Facility from 2019-2021. He is PI for the University of Nebraska component of the Heartland Robotics Cluster supported by EDA.
Raycelle C. C. Garcia http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9400-6566 University of Nebraska - Lincoln [biography]

Raycelle C. C. Garcia is an Instructional Designer supporting the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. She earned a B.A. in Mathematics from UC Berkeley and a M.S. in Learning Design and Technology from Stanford University.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025

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