Engineering Technology

Robotics and Automation Concentration

The BS in Engineering Technology (ET) program at Drexel University is organized around a multidisciplinary, practice- and systems-based learning approach to solving real-world problems. The program prepares graduates for success as future technology innovators and industry leaders, bringing designs from theory into reality. The ET program stresses multidisciplinary knowledge and extensive use of hands-on laboratory exercises in a majority of the classes. It promotes student-focused teaching and career-focused education, emphasizing a practical application of theory. 

The Engineering Technology (ET) concentration in Robotics and Automation (ET-ROBT) will provide engineering students with a pathway to develop industry-relevant skills in robotics, automation and in their underlying technologies and analytic approaches.

New trends in industry, science and technology are developing and require new engineers to understand how to integrate robotics, automation and effective human-machine teaming for manufacturing and critical services such as healthcare and infrastructure inspection. Such trends include the digital engineering revolution encompassing autonomous cars and drones, the Internet of Things, 5G mobile communications, digital design and advanced manufacturing.

The core ET-ROBT curriculum combines courses and experiences that provide a strong foundation in the disciplines that comprise robotics and automation. This includes kinematics and design, electronics and instrumentation, fluid power and energy, manufacturing, materials, programming and control. The ET-ROBT concentration builds on this foundation and provides depth in industrial robotics and mechatronics, automated manufacturing, system dynamics, digital electronics and signal processing. Students will gain knowledge and be trained to support the integration and use of robotics in the industry and society.

Potential career paths include advanced manufacturing and assembly, medical robotics, construction and infrastructure inspection, bio-robotics, knitted robotics for treatment of medical conditions and robotics for entertainment.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the BS in Engineering Technology page.

Degree Requirements

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See General Education Requirements

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CHEM course is determined by the student's Chemistry Placement Exam score and the completion of a summer online preparatory course available based on that score.

***

MATH course is determined by the student's Calculus Placement Exam score and the completion of any summer online preparatory courses available based on that score.

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Students select 6.0 additional credits from any 300 or higher level BET, EET, MET, MHT, INDE, MEM, or ECE courses not already required. See advisor for specific courses.

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Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

4 year, no co-op

*

CHEM course is determined by the student's Chemistry Placement Exam score and the completion of a summer online preparatory course available based on that score.

**

MATH course is determined by the student's Calculus Placement Exam score and the completion of any summer online preparatory courses available based on that score.

***

See General Education Requirements

†

Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101.

††

Students select 6.0 additional credits from any 300 or higher level HET, EET, MET, MHT, INDE, MEM, or ECE courses not already required. See advisor for specific courses.

4 year, 1 co-op

*

CHEM course is determined by the student's Chemistry Placement Exam score and the completion of a summer online preparatory course available based on that score.

**

MATH course is determined by the student's Calculus Placement Exam score and the completion of any summer online preparatory courses available based on that score.

***

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

†

See General Education Requirements.

††

Students select 6.0 additional credits from any 300 or higher level HET, EET, MET, MHT, INDE, MEM, or ECE courses not already required. See advisor for specific courses.

 5 year, 3 co-op

*

CHEM course is determined by the student's Chemistry Placement Exam score and the completion of a summer online preparatory course available based on that score.

**

MATH course is determined by the student's Calculus Placement Exam score and the completion of any summer online preparatory courses available based on that score.

***

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

†

See General Education Requirements

††

Students select 6.0 additional credits from any 300 or higher level HET, EET, MET, MHT, INDE, MEM, or ECE courses not already required. See advisor for specific courses.

Program Level Outcomes

• Apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline;
• Design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline;
• Apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly-defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature;
• Conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes; and
• Function effectively as a member as well as a leader on technical teams.