Does Purdue University have a Robotics major/minor/course/certificate program?

[David Hoff]

The only robotics studies I know of here at Purdue as a Mechanical Engineering student are Technical Electives for Mechanical Engineering. The classes are:

ME 572 Analysis and Design of Robotic Manipulators
ME 588 Mechatronics
ECE 321 Electromechanical Motion Devices
ECE 569 Introduction to Robotic Systems
IE 574 Industrial Robotics and Flexible Assembly

There is also ME 297F which is the class for PurdueFIRST Programs. PurdueFIRST Programs is an organization that sponsors 3 FRC teams, numerous FLL and VEX teams, and the Boilermaker Regional. PurdueFIRST programs also has many sub teams within itself such as Industrial Relations, Information Technology, Public Relations, Regional Development, and of course the FRC, FLL, and VEX teams.

These are the only robotics studies at Purdue that I am familiar with but that doesn't mean that they're aren't more.

[Molten]

The only robotics program in Indiana (that I know of) is at Tri-State University. It is awfully expensive though. Too expensive for me but it was tempting to get the loans.

[JYang]

There is one college that has a robotics major and that is WPI. (Correct me if I'm wrong) but WPI is the only college in the US right now that has a robotics major.

[chris31]

Originally Posted by JYang

There is one college that has a robotics major and that is WPI. (Correct me if I'm wrong) but WPI is the only college in the US right now that has a robotics major.

Georgia Tech teaches these classes http://robotics.gatech.edu/content/view/883/519/

However, I am pretty sure I read on their website not to long ago that they started a robotics major, but I cannot find the news article right now.

[Greg McCoy]

I'd encourage you to look at Computer Integrated Manufacturing Technology and Industrial Engineering in particular...since most "robots" exist for automated industrial production.

If you're more interested in the nuts and bolts of designing robots and other electromechanical stuff, you should look at the Mechanical and Electrical & Computer Engineering (and Engineering Technology) programs. You should visit campus and take a tour. Talking to older students and looking at some of the projects they were working on helped me a lot in figuring out what was right for me.

If you come to Purdue, I'm sure you can find the program you're looking for, and Purdue FIRST Programs is a good way to stay connected with FIRST. There's something here for just about everybody.

Hope this helps!