Robotics Minor | Computing

Bring your engineering and computing skills to life by stepping into the future of innovation with a minor in robotics at Michigan Tech.

This minor equips students across STEM disciplines with the ability to design, build, and program intelligent systems by integrating mechanical, electrical, and computing foundations. Whether you’re interested in automation, artificial intelligence, or advanced system design, you’ll gain hands-on experience working on interdisciplinary projects that mirror real-world robotics teams. You’ll also explore how human factors, ethics, and societal impact shape the technologies we create, preparing you to lead and collaborate in one of the fastest-growing fields in the world.

How to Enroll in a Minor

To pursue a minor, you must first be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program and submit a request to add a minor to your curriculum through the curriculum change portlet in Experience (view the My Undergraduate Degree card and select Change/Add/Drop a Major/Minor/Concentration). The minor advisor will receive notification and contact you with any questions before reviewing and approving your request. We recommend that you begin your minor studies as early as possible in your academic career. This minor will take at least four semesters to complete.

Download the robotics minor audit for complete information.

Please note that the minor in robotics is not available to BS in Robotics Engineering nor BS in Mechantronics majors.

Required Courses

Students must complete courses in each of the five required areas while completing a minimum of 6 credits of 3000- or 4000-level courses. Engineering and Computing students can expect to double-count 12 credits or more with their major or Essential Ed. For a total of 27 minimum credits, the Robotics Minor requires:

6 credits in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology
6 credits in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology
6 credits in computer science or systems administration technology
6 credits in technical integration of these three areas
3 credits in human systems integration

Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology

Choose a minimum of 6 credits from the following courses.

ME 2110 - Statics

Force systems in two and three dimensions. Includes composition and resolution of forces and force systems, principles of equilibrium applied to various bodies, simple structures, friction, centroids, and moments of inertia. Vector algebra used where appropriate. Prerequisite of MA2160 with a grade of C or better is required.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of For Res & Env Sci, College of Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 2160

MET 2110 - Applied Statics

Statics includes a study of forces, analysis of simple structures, equilibrium, moment of inertia, and friction.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): (PH 1110 or PH 1140 or PH 2100) and (MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1121(C))

May choose one of either:

ME 2700 - Dynamics

First course in the principles of dynamics, covering the motion of a particle, the kinematics and kinetics of plane motion of rigid bodies, the principles of work and energy, impulse and momentum. Uses vector methods. Prerequisite of ME2110 or ENG2120 with a C or better is required.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): PH 2100 and (MEEM 2110 or ENG 2120 or ME 2110)

MET 2130 - Applied Dynamics

Particle and rigid plane body kinematics and kinetics covers inertia force, work-energy-power and impulse-momentum methods. Emphasizes development of student skills in problem definition and problem solving.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): (ENG 2120 or MET 2110 or MEEM 2110 or ME 2110) and MA 2160

May choose one of either:

ME 2150 - Mechanics of Materials

Introduction to mechanical behavior of materials, including stress/strain at a point, principle stresses and strains, stress-strain relationships, determination of stresses and deformations in situations involving axial loading, torsional loading of circular cross sections, and flexural loading of straight members. Also covers stresses due to combined loading and buckling of columns.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of For Res & Env Sci, College of Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 2110 or ME 2110

MET 2150 - Applied Strength of Materials

Strength of materials considers stress and strain under axial, torsional, and bending loads. Laboratory exercises include materials testing and problem solving.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): MET 2110 or MEEM 2110 or ME 2110

One course from the control systems group may be applied. May choose one of the following:

EE 3261 - Control Systems

Mathematical formulation of control problems (both transfer function and state-variable descriptions); analysis of feedback control systems (stability, transient performance, steady-state error, sensitivity, etc.); analog and digital simulation; and experiments with physical systems.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 3160

EET 4311 - Control Systems

Topics include: Fourier and Laplace transforms, signal comparison techniques and transfer functions. Control techniques addressed will include feedback, stability, Bode and Nyquist diagrams, and PID controllers.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): MET 3130 or (MET 2110 and MET 2130) and EET 2150

ME 4775 - Analysis & Design of Feedback Control Systems

This course covers topics of control systems design. Course includes a review for modeling of dynamical systems, stability, and root locus design. Also covers control systems design in the frequency domain, fundamentals of digital control and nonlinear systems.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Mechanical Eng-Eng Mechanics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 3750 or EE 3160 or ME 3750

Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology

Choose a minimum of 6 credits from the following courses:

EE 2112 - Electric Circuits and Lab

This course will cover basic electrical concepts, resistive circuits, nodal and loop analysis, superposition, Thevenin and Norton equivalents, maximum power transfer, capacitors, inductors, AC analysis, and 1st and 2nd order transient analysis.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 3520(C) or MA 3521(C) or MA 3530(C) or MA 3560(C)

EE 3010 - Circuits and Instrumentation for Cyber Physical Systems

Designed for nonmajors. Covers the principles of electrical and electronic measurements, including dc, ac, semiconductor devices, amplifiers, and filtering.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1121 or MA 1160 or MA 1161

EET 1411 - Basic Electronics

Introduction to basic electrical principles and devices including DC and AC circuits, diodes, transistors, operational amplifier ICs, power supply regulation, and elements of communication systems.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Information Technology, Surveying Engineering, Computer Network & System Admn, Mechanical Engineering Tech, Cybersecurity, Theatre & Entertain Tech (BS)
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1031 or MA 1032 or MA 1120 or MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1135(C) or MA 1121(C)

EET 1121 - Circuits I

Fundamental theory of lumped-element DC and AC electrical circuits. Voltage, current, resistance, energy, and power. DC network analysis and network theorems. Inductance and capacitance. First-order transient analysis for RL and RC circuits. Sinusoidal steady-state analysis of simple AC circuits.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Co-Requisite(s): EET 1122
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1031 or MA 1032 or MA 1120 or MA 1121(C) or MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1135(C)

May choose one of the following:

EE 2174 - Digital Logic and Lab

Introduces analysis, design, and application of digital logic. Includes Boolean algebra, binary numbers, logic gates, combinational and sequential logic, storage elements and hardware-description-language based synthesis.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 1121 or CS 1131 or CS 1111

EET 2411 - Digital Electronics

Introduction to the fundamentals of the digital electronics that make up microprocessors. Topics include number systems and codes, Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential logic circuits, arithmetic circuits, and digital memory.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Information Technology, Mechatronics, Electrical Eng Tech, Theatre & Entertain Tech (BS), Sound Design, Computer Network & System Admn, Cybersecurity, Audio Production & Technology
Pre-Requisite(s): (EET 1411 or EET 1121) and (MA 1031(C) or MA 1032(C) or MA 1120(C) or MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1135(C) or MA 1121(C))

May choose one or more of the following:

EE 3131 - Electronics

Covers the fundamentals of electronic devices and circuits; operational amplifiers, bipolar junction transistors, diodes, and MOSFETs.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 2112 or EE 3010

EET 2121 - Circuits II

Advanced treatment of passive linear electrical circuits. Superposition, Thevenin, Norton, and maximum power transfer theorems. Analysis of AC networks with attention to frequency response, attenuation, resonance, bandwidth, and terminal impedance. Bridge circuits and filters.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Co-Requisite(s): EET 2122
Pre-Requisite(s): (EET 1121 and EET 1122) and (MA 1160 or MA 1161)

EET 3131 - Sensors and Instrumentation

Sensors and instrumentation used in a wide variety of industrial applications. Instrument static characteristics, measurement errors, and calibration. Signal conditioning circuits including instrumentation amplifiers, DC bridges, and filters. Sensors for measuring motion, force, pressure, flow, and temperature, including physical principles and required electronic circuits.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): EET 1411 or EET 2121 or PH 2230 or EE 2111 or EE 3010

One course from the control systems group may be applied. May choose one of the following:

EE 3261 - Control Systems

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 3160

EET 4311 - Control Systems

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): MET 3130 or (MET 2110 and MET 2130) and EET 2150

ME 4775 - Analysis & Design of Feedback Control Systems

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Mechanical Eng-Eng Mechanics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 3750 or EE 3160 or ME 3750

Fundamentals of Computer Science or Information Technology

Choose a minimum of 6 credits from the following courses:

CS 1121 - Introduction to Programming I

Starting point of the computer science programs. A high-level, object-oriented programming language is introduced as a problem-solving tool. Topics include design, coding, documentation, debugging, and testing of programs. Programming assignments are given in both a closed lab setting and as homework.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1031(C) or MA 1032(C) or MA 1120(C)

CS 1122 - Introduction to Programming II

Continuation of CS 1121. Topics include data abstraction, class hierarchies and polymorphism, list, stack, queue and tree data structures, complexity-based algorithm and data structure choices, and recursion. Homework programming assignments are given.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 1121

CS 1131 - Accelerated Introduction to Programming

An alternative starting point of the computer science programs for students with some programming experience, combining material from CS1121 and CS1122, offered at an accelerated pace. Homework programming assignments are given.

Credits: 5.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-4-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Permission of department required
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1031(C) or MA 1032(C) or MA 1120(C) or MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1121(C)

CS 1142 - Programming at the Hardware Software Interface

Programming in assembly language and C for students with prior experience in Java. Topics include binary number encodings, instruction set architecture, assembly language programming, and instruction encodings. C programming topics include program structure, preprocessor, arrays, structures, pointers, input/output, dynamic memory management, and linked data structures.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 1122 or CS 1131

SAT 1610 - Computer and Operating Systems Architecture

Fundamentals of computer organization, operating system architecture, PC/WS major subassemblies, PC and server configuration planning, power interfaces, system assembly/set-up, connection of peripherals, installing fundamental operating system software, system testing/debugging and planning and installation of application software portfolios.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): SAT 1200 or CS 1111

SAT 2711 - Linux Fundamentals

Fundamental OS concepts, OS design principles, Linux system architecture, Linux installation and package management, GNU and UNIX commands, Linux file systems, hierarchy standards, shells, scripting and data management, user interfaces and desktops, administrative tasks, essential system services, networking fundamentals, and security.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): SAT 1200 or CS 1111(C) or CS 1121 or CS 1131 or CS 1142 or MIS 2100

SAT 3310 - Scripting for Administration, Automation, and Security

Scripting in PERL, Python, BASH, and PowerShell to accomplish and automate common system administration tasks such as working with files, network and web communication, database interaction, and security.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Sophomore, Junior, Senior
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 1111 or CS 1121 or CS 1131 or CS 1142 or MIS 2100

DATA 1200 - Data Science with Python

The course introduces data science topics including inferential and computational thinking using Python. Topics include table operations, functions, control structures, visualization, sampling, and inference

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1030(C) or MA 1031(C) or MA 1032(C) or MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C)

Technical Integration Courses in Robotics

Choose a minimum of 6 credits from the following courses:

ME 4705 - Robotics and Mechatronics

Cross-discipline system integration of sensors, actuators, and microprocessors to achieve high-level design requirements, including robotic systems. A variety of sensor and actuation types are introduced, from both a practical and a mathematical perspective. Embedded microprocessor applications are developed using the C programming language.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 3750 or EE 3160 or ME 3750

ME 4707 - Autonomous Systems

The main concepts of autonomous systems will be introduced including motion control, navigation, and intelligent path planning and perception. This is a hands-on project based course. Students will have the opportunity to work with mobile robotics platforms. Having a foundational understanding of programming is recommended to make the most of this course.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Robotics Engineering, Mechanical Eng-Eng Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 3750 or ME 3750 or MEEM 4775(C) or ME 4775(C) or EE 3160

EET 4707 - Autonomous Systems

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Mechatronics, Electrical Eng Tech, Mechatronics
Pre-Requisite(s): (EET 4311 or EET 5311 or MET 4801 or MET 5801) and (CS 1111 or CS 1121 or CS 1131 or SAT 4310 or SAT 4650)

MET 4355 - Industrial Digital Twin Systems

This course covers the principles and architecture of Digital Twins, emphasizing their application in manufacturing and mechatronics. Students will model, simulate, and optimize systems using real-time data, enhancing decision-making, and operational efficiency in smart industrial environments.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Junior, Senior

MET 4800 - Dynamics and Kinematics of Robotics Platforms

This course covers the dynamics and kinematics of rigid bodies as the foundation for analyzing the motion of robots. Robotic kinematics is reviewed by analyzing the motion of the robot. The dynamics is reviewed by analyzing the relation between the joint actuator torques and resulting motion.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): MET 2130 or MET 3130

EE 2180 - Introduction to Robotics and Lab

Introduces the following topics: robotic actuators, inverse and forward kinematics, control methods, applied statistics, environment mapping, and path finding. Topics will be further explored during hands on and practical lab experiments.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Senior
Pre-Requisite(s): (EE 3010(C) or EE 2112(C)) and (MA 2320(C) or MA 2321(C) or MA 2330(C))

EE 3280 - Robot Operating Systems

An introduction to the robotics middleware enabling robot platforms used in autonomous vehicles and advanced manufacturing. Students will learn the basics of distributed robotics software architecture, hardware considerations and associated simulation tools.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 2180 and SAT 2711

EET 3144 - Introduction to Industrial Robotics

This course introduces concepts of industrial robotics. Topics on mechanics, electronics, controls, forward and inverse kinematics, classification of end-effectors, programming, and the application of industrial robots are covered. FANUC Roboguide and Mitsubishi RT Toolbox simulation software packages are used to program and simulate industrial production scenarios.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer

EET 4144 - Real-Time Robotics Systems

Covers the components of a robot system, safety, concepts of a work-cell system, geometry, path control, automation sensors, programming techniques, hardware, and software. Students taking this course have an opportunity to earn FANUC Industrial Certificate "FANUC CERT HandlingTool Operations and Programming", Students must pass safety assessment above 80% and fulfill additional course requirements to be eligible.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): EET 1411 or EET 2121 or PH 2230 or EE 2111 or EE 3010

CS 3461 - Introduction to Robotics

Hands-on exploration of robot design and programming using real mobile robotic platforms. Robots feature onboard sensing such as cameras and other advanced perception tools. Students learn kinematics, actuation, sensing, configuration spaces, control, and motion planning while developing and testing on physical robots in collaborative teams.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 3421 or EE 3172

Senior Design or Enterprise (3 credits maximum. Instructor must certify significant robotics or mechatronics content.)

Human Systems Integration

Choose 3 credits from the following courses:

HF 2000 - Introduction to Engineering Psychology

This class will examine the capabilities and limitations of human perception and cognition and the application of theories and principles of human performance to the design.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

HF 2300 - Introduction to Human-Centered Design

Introduces the principles and processes of Human-Centered Design as defined by international and professional standards. Students learn how to design systems, products, and services that prioritize human needs, capabilities, and values while promoting ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible design practices.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring

HF 3850 - Human Factors

This class will focus on when, why, and how to apply the various human factors methods for creating more effective human-technological systems.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman
Pre-Requisite(s): (PSY 2000 or HF 2000) and UN 1015

HU 3701 - Philosophy of Technology

A study of philosophical analyses of technology. Topics may include: the essence and nature of technology, technology and human existence; the notion that we live in a technological age; and ethical issues surrounding the use, abuse, and ubiquity of technology.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015

HU 3704 - Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

An introduction to the philosophical issues raised by current and future AI systems with a special focus on ethical foundations and general normative concerns. Including AI prediction, classification, manipulation, surveillance; AI agency, responsibility moral status; the future of work; human rights; use of AI in governance, health, education, and more.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

HU 3710 - Engineering Ethics

A study of ethical questions confronting individual engineers and the engineering profession. Among the issues to be explored are the meaning of professionalism, the social responsibilities of engineers, engineer-employer and engineer-client relationships, whistle-blowing, conflicts of interest, and competitive bidding.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015

HU 3845 - Human-Machine Communication

Surveys the area of Human-Machine Communication. Considers a variety of communicative machines, contexts, and perspectives. Examines issues of agency, media representations, co-construction, culture, privacy, and other ideas in relation to the communicative interplay of humans and machines.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015

HU 3850 - Automated Culture: Critical Approaches to AI

Examines the way that artificial intelligence (AI) and culture are intertwined, focusing on theoretical and historical perspectives. Considers struggles over meaning that open up possibilities for social, cultural, and political change.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015

SS 3801 - Science, Technology, & Society

Examines the relationship between science, technology, society, and the environment. Topics may include effects of technologies such as computers, biotechnology, and chemicals on society and nature, science and technology policy, and the history of technology and its global consequences.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall