The Academic Policy and Programs Committee of Governing Council approved a new Engineering minor program in Robotics and Mechatronics on Tuesday.
The new minor will be launched in the upcoming 2011-2012 academic year, and will allow students to explore fundamental enabling technologies that render robotic and mechatronic systems into viable consumer products. Coursework will cover micro-electromechanical systems and nanotechnology, advanced techniques for signal processing and systems control, and new system-level principles underlying embedded systems.
Following the creation of the Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics (IRM) in 2010, the minor is a collaborative effort between The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, and the Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering.
“We have a lot of strength in the Faculty in mechatronics and robotics,” said Professor Ridha Ben Mrad (MIE), Director of IRM and one of the chief proponents of the new minor. “This minor program will provide our students with the ability to pursue a structured program that provides in-depth studies in this area and takes advantage of extensive teaching facilities and resources from across the Faculty.”
Consistent with other Engineering minor program requirements, students will take six semester-long courses – two required courses plus four electives – from a selection of robotics and mechatronics-designated courses. These offerings will include Microprocessors Applications (MIE) and Mechatronics Principles (MIE), a capstone design course, said Professor Ben Mrad.
“There’s a lot of interest in this area,” he added. “I think it will be very popular with students. It is definitely a growing area [and] will enhance the student experience.”
This minor will join the four current distinctive offerings of the Cross-Disciplinary Programs office, which offers a full slate of Engineering minor and certificate programs.
