Robotics & Autonomy Master of Engineering

The next generation of automation is here. Industry and society need experts who can lead this technological revolution with skill, insight and character. Become that leader at Duke.

Priority Application Deadline: January 16, 2025

3 Semesters

6 Technical Courses

2 Business & Management Courses

1 Capstone Project

Features & Benefits

Today, undergraduate experience in robotics isn’t enough.

This master’s degree provides deep technical training in the disciplines that define the field—including mechanical design, machine learning and controls.

Also, at Duke you’ll gain the ethical insight and business training needed by a leader of a high-tech organization.

All completed in just three semesters — no thesis required.


Curriculum

  • Career Preparation Core:
    • MENG 540 Management of High-Tech Industries
    • MENG 570 Business Fundamentals for Engineers
    • MENG 550/551 Industry Internship & Assessment
  • Robotics Core—2 courses
  • Machine Learning course
  • Controls & Dynamics course
  • An Ethics course
  • 2 Technical electives
  • Capstone Project

At Duke, we have incredibly passionate and motivated students who want to make positive change in the world. We help them learn how to use robotics and autonomous technologies to make those changes.

Siobhan Oca Director of Master’s Studies, Duke MEMS

Specialty in Medical Robotics

Duke’s graduate training program in Medical Robotics represents a new model at the interface of medicine and engineering—one that gets roboticists into the operating rooms of a world-class academic medical center.

Shape the future of surgical technology and enhance your Duke degree with a graduate Certificate in Medical Robotics.

Typical Study Plan

3 Semesters and a Summer

CategoryFall 1Spring 1Summer 1Fall 2
Career Preparation CoreMENG 540 Management of High-Tech Industries MENG 570 Business Fundamentals for Engineers MENG 550 Internship

No tuition charged
MENG 551 Internship assessment 
Robotics CoreME 555 Introduction to RoboticsME 555 Introduction to Programming
Machine LearningECE 580 Introduction to Machine Learning
Controls & DynamicsME 541 Intermediate Dynamics
ElectivesElective 1Elective 2
EthicsME 555 Case Studies of Ethics in Robotics and Automation
Capstone ProjectME 555 Capstone

Curriculum

This master’s degree is 30 credits, taken over three semesters on the Duke campus.

  • Required:

    • MENG 540: Management of High-Tech Industries 
    • MENG 570: Business Fundamentals for Engineers 
    • MENG 550/551: Internship and Internship assessment 
  • Select two*:

    • ME 555 Introduction to Robotics
    • ME 555 Introduction to Programming
    • CS 527 Computer Vision
    Important Note

    *Or, all three and one fewer elective if the student has an insufficient background

  • Select one:

    • ECE 580 Introduction to Machine Learning
    • ECE 685D Introduction to Deep Learning
    • ECE 590-05 Advanced Topics in Deep Learning
    • ECE 682D Probabilistic Machine Learning
    • ME 555/CEE 690 Advanced Topics in Data Science & Machine Learning
    • ME 555 Data-Driven Dynamical Systems and Control
    • COMPSCI 570 Artificial Intelligence
    • COMPSCI 590 Neurosymbolic Machine Learning
    • COMPSCI 572 Natural Language Processing
    • COMPSCI 671D Theory and Algorithm Machine Learning
  • Select one:

    • ME 541 Intermediate Dynamics
    • ME 627 Linear System Theory
    • ME 555 Model Predictive Control
  • Required:

    • ME 555 Case Studies of Ethics in Robotics and Automation
  • Choose two:

    • ME 555 Robot Learning
    • ME 555 Robotic Manipulation
    • ME 555 Tendron-Driven Robotics
    • ME 555 Introduction to Medical Robotics
  • Two-plus semesters and robotics-focused—

    Choose one:

    • ME 555 Projects in Medical Robotics
    • ME 555 Capstone

Master’s Contacts

Siobhan Rigby Oca, Director of Master’s Studies

Shauntil Gray, Director of Master’s Studies Assistant

News

10/22/24 Pratt School of Engineering

Listening Skills Bring Human-Like Touch to Robots

Researchers give robots a sense of touch by “listening” to vibrations, allowing them to identify materials, understand shapes and recognize objects just like human hands

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