Master of Engineering- Robotics

Program Overview

The M.Eng. in Robotics is a 30-credit-hour program, typically completed within 1.5 to 2 years for full-time students, with a fast-track option for completion in one year. The curriculum is structured to provide a strong foundation in robot modeling, analysis, design, and control. It includes one engineering tools and methods course, three core robotics courses, and six elective courses chosen from Mechanical Engineering Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Mathematical Sciences. This multidisciplinary approach ensures a comprehensive education. Students also have the option to complete a project or a Master's Thesis for a more research-intensive experience. The program is available both on-campus and fully online through StevensOnline, offering flexibility for a diverse student body, including working professionals.

STEM-designated: Yes, the Stevens Institute of Technology M.Eng. in Robotics program is unequivocally STEM-designated. This is a significant advantage, particularly for international students. The STEM designation makes them eligible for a 24-month extension of their Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States, allowing for a total of up to three years of valuable post-graduation work experience. This designation clearly reflects the program's rigorous quantitative, scientific, and technological focus, which is highly valued by employers in the rapidly expanding robotics, automation, and AI industries.

Curriculum: The 30-credit curriculum for the M.Eng. in Robotics is highly interdisciplinary, reflecting the nature of the field. Required courses establish a foundation in optimization principles, introduction to robotics, modern control engineering, and advanced robotics. Students then delve into electives that allow for specialization. These electives are drawn from mechanical engineering (e.g., Wearable Robotics and Sensors, Autonomous Navigation for Mobile Robots), computer science (e.g., Machine Learning: Fundamentals and Applications, Deep Learning, Algorithms), electrical and computer engineering (e.g., Engineering Programming: Python/C++, Autonomous Mobile Robotic Systems, Applied Machine Learning, Cooperating Autonomous Mobile Robots), and mathematical sciences (e.g., Optimal Control Theory, Dynamic Programming and Reinforcement Learning). The curriculum emphasizes hands-on laboratory projects and the application of cutting-edge algorithms, sensors, and actuators to real-world robotic systems.

Research Focus: The M.Eng. in Robotics program at Stevens has a strong research focus, with faculty members actively engaged in groundbreaking work across various areas of robotics and automation. Research areas include cooperative and autonomous mobile robotics, nonlinear systems and control, distributed sensor networks, and nano-scale systems and control. Specific projects often involve robot-assisted pedestrian flow regulation and human-robot interaction, or ocean pollution plume monitoring and tracking by marine robots. The Mechanical Engineering department, which houses the program, benefits from the Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI), fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration. Students have opportunities to participate in advanced research, benefiting from faculty mentorship and access to state-of-the-art laboratories and simulation tools, contributing to advancements in areas like intelligent robot decision-making under uncertainty.

Industry Engagement: Stevens Institute of Technology places a very high priority on industry engagement for its Robotics program. Its strategic location, just 15 minutes from downtown Manhattan, provides students with exceptional access to a global hub of tech, business, and innovation. The curriculum is continuously updated to integrate rapidly evolving technologies like generative AI and to meet the latest labor market demands. Faculty members often have strong ties to industry, bringing real-world case studies and practical insights into the classroom. Stevens' extensive network of corporate partners and industry recruiters, along with its robust Career Center, facilitates a wealth of collaboration and employment opportunities, including internships and co-op experiences. Graduates are actively recruited by notable firms like General Electric, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, and others across the automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.

Global Perspective: Stevens Institute of Technology fosters a global perspective within its M.Eng. in Robotics program through its diverse international student body and the inherently global nature of robotics and automation. The university attracts students from numerous countries, creating a rich multicultural learning environment that enriches classroom discussions with varied insights into international robotic applications, ethical considerations, and market trends. The skills acquired—such as designing autonomous systems, developing human-robot interaction interfaces, or optimizing manufacturing processes—are universally applicable across international markets and industries. This global outlook, combined with Stevens' rigorous technical education and emphasis on multidisciplinary problem-solving, prepares graduates to contribute to technological advancements and collaborate on projects that transcend national borders, ensuring they are well-equipped for careers in a globally interconnected professional landscape.