Robotics
Graduate · Engineering
Syllabus focus
Standard syllabus · STEM / applied
Pricing
Graduate-level rates are set on consultation. See the pricing page for K–12 and undergraduate rates.
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Kinematics and modeling
- Robot configurations: serial, parallel, mobile
- Homogeneous transformations and DH parameters
- Forward kinematics for manipulators
- Inverse kinematics: geometric and algebraic methods
- Jacobian matrices and differential kinematics
- Singularities and manipulability ellipsoids
- Workspace analysis and reachability
- Mobile robot kinematics: differential drive
- Trajectory generation in joint and Cartesian space
- Path planning: visibility graphs and sampling methods
Dynamics and control
- Lagrange equations for robot dynamics
- Recursive Newton-Euler algorithm
- Inertia matrices and Coriolis terms
- Computed torque control
- PID control in joint space versus task space
- Impedance and admittance control intro
- Force control and hybrid position-force schemes
- Vision-based servoing overview
- Sensor integration: encoders, IMU, LiDAR
- Safety standards ISO 10218 awareness
STEM / applied
Perception, planning, and autonomy
- Occupancy grids and SLAM fundamentals
- Motion planning: RRT and A* in configuration space
- Grasp planning and end-effector design
- Machine learning for robot perception (survey)
- Human-robot collaboration and cobots
- ROS/ROS2 software architecture labs
- Simulation in Gazebo or Isaac Sim
- Multi-robot coordination basics
- Field robotics: drones and legged platforms
- Capstone robot integration project
Research and industry trends
- Soft robotics and compliant mechanisms
- Surgical and rehabilitation robots
- Warehouse automation and AMRs
- Autonomous vehicles as robotic systems
- Learning from demonstration
- Sim-to-real transfer challenges
- Ethics and liability for autonomous robots
- Startup and IP landscape in robotics
- Guest lectures from robotics industry
- Qualifying exam robotics topic prep
Notes
Topics reflect common engineering syllabi at US colleges and universities. Exact order, depth, and applied emphasis vary by institution, department, and instructor.