Robotics Minor

Dr. Nathan Sprague, Coordinator
Phone: (540) 568-3312
Email: spragunr@jmu.edu
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/cs/minors/robotics-minor

The cross disciplinary minor in robotics is intended to offer STEM majors and students with an interest in science and technology a fundamental understanding of scientific and technical issues involved in the design, construction and application of robots.

Educational Goals

Students will have a basic understanding of robot control systems, sensors, motion, circuits and the overall design of robots.
Students will be able to design and develop autonomous robots and robot control software.
Students will develop an understanding of how advances in robotics technology can be used in diverse real-life applications.
Students will learn to work on a cross disciplinary team developing a technical product.

Required Courses

Basic Preparation ¹

Choose one of the following: 3-4 Credit Hours

CS 139. Programming Fundamentals (3, 2) 4.00
CS 149. Introduction to Programming 3.00
ISAT 252. Programming and Problem Solving 3.00

Choose one of the following: 4 Credit Hours

MATH 232. Calculus with Functions II 3.00
or
MATH 235. Calculus I 4.00
ISAT 151. Topics in Applied Calculus in Isat [C3T1G1] 4.00

Choose one of the following: 4 Credit Hours

Students who have completed the physical principles area of Cluster Three with a course not listed below should meet with the minor adviser.

ISCI 101. Physics, Chemistry & the Human Experience 3.00
and
ISCI 104. Scientific Perspectives 1.00
PHYS 240. University Physics I 3.00 (with any Physics Lab)
ISAT 152. Topics in Applied Physics in Isat 4.00

Core Course

Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours

CS 354. Introduction to Autonomous Robotics 3.00
PHYS 386. Robots: Structure and Theory 3.00

Electives

At least one elective must be from a different department from the core course.

Choose at least six credits from the following: 6-8 Credit Hours

CS 344. Intelligent Systems 3.00
or
ISAT 344. Intelligent Systems 3.00
CS 444. Artificial Intelligence 3.00
ISAT 331. Automation in Manufacturing 3.00
MATH 238. Linear Algebra with Differential Equations 4.00
MATH 248. Computers & Numerical Algorithms 4.00
MATH 341. Non-Linear Dynamics and Chaos 3.00
PHYS 371. Digital Electronics 2.00
PHYS 372. Microcontrollers and Their Applications (2, 4) 2.00

Robotics Project Course

CISE 481. Robotics Project Summary 1.00 ²

Footnotes

¹ A basic preparation course may be waived by the minor adviser if a student has completed a comparable course or experience.

² CISE 481 is intended to summarize a capstone robotics project experience. In order to register for CISE 481 students must have completed or be enrolled in an approved capstone, special topics, or independent study course that involves a robotics project. At the discretion of the robotics minor adviser, students may also qualify for CISE 481 by completing an internship, research experience or professional project that entails robotics design and/or development. Consult the minor adviser for more information.

Robotics Minor

Educational Goals

Required Courses

Choose one of the following: 3-4 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following: 4 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following: 4 Credit Hours

Core Course

Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours

Electives

Choose at least six credits from the following: 6-8 Credit Hours

Robotics Project Course

Footnotes

Total: 21-24 Credit Hours