MSc in Robotics

 

About the programme

List of supervisors

 

About the programme

● Who is this programme aimed at? 

The programme is aimed at engineers or computer scientists who wish to develop their skills, expertise and gain in depth understanding, through research led industry relevant projects in the multi-disciplinary field of robotics automation and interactive systems.

 

● What will students actually study?

Students will gain an in-depth understanding of their chosen constituent parts of a robotic system that can be applied to many sectors, both nationally and internationally. Students choose a named theme from those offered. These normally include autonomous, embedded, bio-inspired or marine robotics, human-robot interaction and robot vision. Core courses in each are then specialised through further elective courses, some of which are practical and hands-on lead.

Through the MSc project, students will gain experience of research relevant to industrial applications (through on going in-house research), creating graduates with cross-disciplinary understanding and an ability to operate effectively within mixed hardware/software groups.

The programme is research led, with oversight from programme tutors. Students are assigned a tutor with common interests and specialisms as part of admission. Tutors then advise on student suitability for a theme before commencement, help with the choice of elective courses and third semester project, based on course pre-requisites, students' interest and prior learning. They also provide a point of contact for technical and pastoral matter and review various assessments of performance as appropriate.

Several of the taught programme courses are:

·       Robotics and Automation

·       Linear Control

·       Data Mining and Machine Learning

·       Embedded Systems

·       Real Time Imaging and Control

·       Critical Analysis and Research Preparation

·       Robotic Mechanical Systems

·       Biologically Inspired Computation

·       Advanced Interaction Design

·       Image Processing

 

● Why is Heriot-Watt University a good place for students to take this programme?

Heriot-Watt connects with industry at every level and develops programmes to match their needs. Real issues, real projects, real research – so students get practical, real-life experience and the employer gets work-ready industry-fit graduates.

 

Building upon long standing research in the field of robotics, Heriot-Watt offers expertise and training relating to Autonomy; parallel mechanisms; reconfigurable mechanisms; control; microsystems; image processing; underwater robotics; human robot interaction; and much more! Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh host the UK EPSRC funded Doctoral Training Center in Robotics and Autonomous University and the UK government funded Robotarium, which provides an integrated capability unique in the world, for exploring collaborative interaction between remote teams of humans, robots and their environments at all levels.

● What kind of job would students be able to get at the end of the course?

The programme provides an ideal foundation for careers in the manufacturing, exploration and remote sensing, defence and security, automotive, and entertainment industries. Creates individuals with the knowledge to take leading roles in contributing to and managing interdisciplinary teams to solve the hardware and software problems of future robotic systems.

 

 

● What advantage will this Masters give students when entering the work place?

This MSc degree allows for professional development; networking opportunities and hands on experience working on a number of industry projects. This course also builds knowledge across the disciplines of mechanics, electronics, computer science and software engineering. Graduates will be ready to entre the workplace with knowledge to take leading roles in contributing to and managing interdisciplinary teams to solve the hardware and software problems of future robotic systems.

 

Do students need to have a specific academic background for this programme?

A first class or upper second honours degree in a relevant cognate discipline with a numerate background of equivalent overseas

qualifications.

 

For further information about the programme, please feel free to contact

Programme Co-director: Dr X. Kong (X.Kong@hw.ac.uk)

Programme Co-director: Dr P.A. Vargas (p.a.vargas@hw.ac.uk)