Robotics

Stephen Mascaro
Associate Professor (Lecturer), Department of Mechanical Engineering

Phone: (801) 581-7228

Email: smascaro@eng.utah.edu

The Robotics PhD program will allow students to build upon qualified undergraduate or master's degrees and is designed for students pursuing engineering and science degrees. The Robotic PhD degree will provide knowledge for integrating hardware and software with algorithms to create the next generation of intelligent machines. Robotics researchers are employed in a wide range of occupations that are creating the next generation of technological devices. Roboticists create assistive robots (prosthetics, wearable robots), autonomous vehicles (cars, mining equipment, underwater, and aerial), automated warehouses, manufacturing systems, medical devices, and consumer products (vacuums, 3D printers, craft machines). Interdisciplinary skills, namely hardware (electrical, mechanical, and computational), programming, and algorithms, obtained by our proposed Robotics degrees and certificates are important for a wide range of products that a company may wish to develop. There are many unfilled well-paying jobs in Utah that could be satisfied by students with robotics credentials.

Students interested in pursuing a Robotics PhD Degree should apply to the University of Utah Graduate School via the link on the Robotics Program webpage (https://robotics.coe.utah.edu) and indicate "Robotics PhD" as their chosen program. Students must be admitted to the Graduate School of the University of Utah as well as the Robotics graduate program.

Admissions requirements are as follows:

• Students pursuing a Robotics PhD degree typically have a bachelor's degree or MS degree in a STEM related area. Applicants with degrees from other areas will be considered, but students may need to complete additional work (e.g., math, physics, programming, etc.) to be prepared to take robotics courses.

• Graduate degree applications will be considered holistically; therefore, specific GRE scores and GPAs are not required for admission. Admitted students typically have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 and the university requires a 3.0, but students with lower GPA's are encouraged to apply and explain their individual circumstances in their personal statement.

• GRE scores are currently not required but may be considered if it will strengthen the student's application and are strongly recommended as another way to demonstrate English proficiency and academic preparation.

• International students must also meet University of Utah English proficiency requirement for admission (see https://admissions.utah.edu/apply/international/english-proficiency).

Applicants should also provide:

• Names and emails of three people that will provide recommendation letters

• A resume or curriculum vitae

• Personal statement

• Transcripts from all institutions attended

• One page writing sample of recent research or publication (optional)

These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission. The graduate admissions committee reviews all aspects of the application package before determining acceptance into the Robotics graduate program. Any student wishing to pursue a PhD must identify and be selected by a faculty advisor that will advise their dissertation research. Students that have completed the Robotics Master of Science or University’s Robotics Graduate Certificate program can be considered for admissions to the PhD program without providing all the above information but must complete a university application to formalize the process and may find it beneficial to provide the above information to help potential faculty advisors consider their application.