Online Master of Science in Robotics
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Program Overview

Robots are playing a significant role in modern society including robotic arms for manufacturing, assistive co-robots in health care, etc. Current and future engineers will be faced with significant challenges in designing, analyzing and controlling robotic systems in many engineering applications, especially in how to make robots intelligent co-workers for human. As such, there is a significant demand for students that have the core skills and knowledge in both classical theories in control, optimization and networks and recent advanced in learning and AI, together with their applications in robotics, multi-robot coordination, and human-robot teaming. Students can greatly benefit from this accessible online option. 

The Major in Robotics in the Interdisciplinary Engineering master’s program (IDE) focuses on the analysis, control and design of robots. This area spans a variety of application domains and is interdisciplinary in nature. The courses offered in this major will establish fundamental theories and tools for modeling, analyzing and developing techniques in robotics. It spans core topics like control theory, machine learning, artificial intelligence, networks, and advanced courses in emerging topics like robotics, manipulators, and human-robot teaming. 

A degree in Robotics from Purdue University: 

  • Increases leadership skills and ability to effectively lead diverse teams across multiple engineering disciplines. 
  • Promotes effective technical communication of complex concepts, analyses and solutions. 
  • Increases learner technical abilities and skills in a wide variety of cutting-edge engineering disciplines. 

Curriculum

This degree requires 30 credit hours total with at least 18 hours of Purdue graduate engineering courses. Course subjects suggested for the online master’s in robotics includes:  

  • Convex Optimization
  • Applied Optimal Control and Estimation
  • Lumped System Theory
  • Reinforcement Learning Theory

The degree awarded is either the Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) or the Master of Science (MS) depending upon your undergraduate degree; the major is Robotics. The full curriculum can be found here.

Students can choose their courses from a wide suite of available 1, 2 and 3-credit hour course options. 

After you begin your studies at Purdue, an academic advisor will provide you with tools to map out a plan of study and help you define a concentration tailored to align with your specific goals. Your academic advisor will also help you identify a faculty advisor.

Admissions Requirements

Criteria for Admissions

  • Minimum GPA of a 3.0
  • Math Background: One semester each of Calculus I, Calculus II and either Linear Algebra or Differential Equations
  • Engineering Background: Preferred undergraduate degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics or Technology.

Application Requirements

Full admissions requirements

Application Deadlines

For Fall Start:

  • August 1

For Spring Start:

  • December 1

For Summer Start

  • May 1

Tuition*

Resident of Indiana

  • $1,139 per credit hour

Nonresident of Indiana

  • $1,459 per credit hour

Domestic students and permanent residents may qualify for the following types of financial aid:

  • US federal financial aid
  • Military, veterans, and military-connected students


*The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s up to each student to determine how many classes they want to take per semester. Most students working full time typically take one or two classes each semester, or 3-5 credit hours.

Transfer credits will be officially reviewed for transferability after admission with academic and faculty advisors. Course descriptions and syllabi will be required. 12 transfer credits can be utilized for the Interdisciplinary Engineering (IDE) programs; the amount accepted will vary depending on a student’s concentration and plan of study. Approved credits will be applied within a student’s electronic Plan of Study as electives. Transfer credits can only be applied towards IDE majors and not graduate certificates. If a student transfers to a program outside of IDE within Purdue's College of Engineering, previously honored equivalencies and transfer credit approval is not guaranteed. Students should inquire further with their new program. 

 In order for courses to be evaluated for transfer, they must first meet all of the following requirements: 

 Graduate level from an accredited institution 

  1. Never used towards a previous degree program 
  2. Engineering or STEM-related courses
  3. A grade of a B- or better 
  4. Students typically need to be an active graduate student within the last 5 years for credit to be utilized.

 Once admitted, students will work with their advisor to discuss the academic history and possible transfer credit.  

Diplomas include the degree name – either Master of Science or Master of Science in Engineering depending on the degree conferred (see ‘what degree will I earn” FAQ for more information).  

Transcripts include the program and major name—e.g. Interdisciplinary Engineering with a major in Robotics.  

Neither your diploma nor transcript will indicate that any coursework was completed online. Diplomas and transcripts for students completing online programs look identical to the documents provided to an on-campus, residential student. 

Diplomas include the degree name – either Master of Science or Master of Science in Engineering depending on the degree conferred (see ‘what degree will I earn” FAQ for more information).  

Transcripts include the program and major name—e.g. Interdisciplinary Engineering with a major in Robotics.  

Neither your diploma nor transcript will indicate that any coursework was completed online. Diplomas and transcripts for students completing online programs look identical to the documents provided to an on-campus, residential student. 

No. Neither your diploma nor transcript will indicate that any coursework was completed online.

Diplomas read Master of Science or Master of Science in Engineering depending on the degree conferred. Transcripts will include the major name: Robotics

You must have a GPA of 3.0 in all plan-of-study coursework to successfully complete the degree. Graduate-level transfer courses are not included in your GPA calculation.

Engineering and math/statistics courses run on the standard academic calendar with full-semester-length courses. Online business (MGMT) courses run on the alternative academic calendar, which means there are two modules offered each semester – e.g. fall 1 and fall 2. Students may be enrolled in overlapping calendar courses but are not able to start a new term before the current term concludes. For example: students enrolled in a full semester, standard spring course may not take a summer module 1 course as the alternate calendar summer term begins before the standard spring term ends.

For your first term, we recommend a 500-level course. Be sure to review the course prerequisites and needed prior knowledge to ensure you are prepared for the course.

Students enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering with a major in Robotics, which is supported by Purdue University Online, receive robust support from a dedicated team of student engagement professionals. All students have an assigned academic advisor, who is available for one-on-one support and helps students with academic-related questions or issues. Academic advisors also offer workshops on topics relevant to academic planning and preparation, including plan of study workshops and specialty info sessions for students enrolled in specific programs.  

Additionally, students have an assigned student success coach, whose role is to support students who may be struggling in the online learning environment. Students have access to their assigned success coach from the point they accept their offer of enrollment through graduation. Success coaches also work to build community among online students, including offering networking events, resources, and opportunities for professional development. 

A graduate student is expected to maintain a graduation index representing a B average (3.0/4.0 GPA) or better. A student's 30 credits of graduate coursework must be cumulatively calculated at a 3.0 or higher in order to receive the Degree.  

For more details on policies and grading information, please visit: Policies and Procedures for Administering Graduate Student Programs - Purdue University - Modern Campus Catalog™ - see section VI for grading policies.