Robotics and Intelligent Autonomous Systems M.S.
Contact Information
Dr. Jeff McGough
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
McLaury, Room 201
(605) 355-3455
Jeff.McGough@sdsmt.edu
Program Summary
The M.S. in Robotics and Intelligent Autonomous Systems (RIAS) is a multidisciplinary program which combines the expertise in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. This degree program provides an interdisciplinary, research-oriented degree in an emerging technical area. Students in the program will be required to take courses in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. The primary objective of the RIAS program is to give students a basic understanding of the mechanical, electrical and computing systems required to participate in advanced mobile intelligent robotics applications.
Program Description
The RIAS program is a thesis-only degree. The student will complete thirty credits. Twenty four of these credits are course work and six are thesis credits. The program consists of a core (15 credits) and a specialization (9 credits). Four specializations are possible : CS, ME, EE, CENG. Most of the courses are three credits but can vary and many classes will also contain an experiential learning component which may or may not be listed as an official lab. Students will be expected to
take a leveling course in areas not covered by their undergraduate degrees if necessary.
The program will cover the essentials of robotics, artificial intelligence, control, communications, sensors and signal processing. Students will have the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge in focus
areas such as pattern recognition, computer vision, nonlinear control, digital signal processing, and communications. Upon graduation, the student will be able to participate in commercial, military and NASA projects to design and build intelligent autonomous systems capable of interacting with the environment and performing complex tasks.
Background Requirements
Entering students will normally have a four year degree (B.S.) in either Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent. RIAS is a multidisciplinary degree. It is not expected that students will have the background in all the disciplines. Leveling courses have been created and will be offered to help the student gain skills to be successful in the academic areas outside their undergraduate training. There is room in the current course rotation for two leveling or background courses without having to extend the time of the degree or overload in hours. Students from other disciplines will be considered. However in the case of significant deficits in background, the student may be admitted on a probationary status while they make up missing courses.
Mathematics, Science and Computing Background
- Year of Calculus (Calculus I & II)
- One semester of Multivariate Calculus (Calculus III)
- One semester of Differential Equations
- Introductory programming course
- One semester of probability and statistics is suggested but not required
- Two semesters of calculus based physics is suggested but not required
Exams
- TOEFL - required for international students
a minimum score of 520 is required for conditional admission, and 560 for unconditional admission - GRE - recommended but not required
More information is available on the Mathematics and Computer Science Department's website at http://rias.sdsmt.edu.
