Mechatronics and Robotics Education: Standardizing Foundational Key Concepts

Abstract

The field of Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering is emerging as a distinct academic discipline, but has no standardized curriculum. In order to define such a curriculum, a survey is prepared with lists of potential concept inventory items, and asks university faculty, students and practicing engineers to identify which concepts lie at the core of MRE. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the field, a wide range of basic concepts including physical quantities and units, circuit analysis, digital logic, programming, computer-aided design, solid mechanics, dynamic systems and controls, and mathematics are considered. The results of this survey identify gaps between existing undergraduate curricula, student experience, and employer expectations, and continuing work will provide insight into the direction of a unifying curricular design for MRE education.