Manufacturing Engineering & Robotics and Autonomous Systems
About this opportunity
The School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks is a new school for a new time. The transdisciplinary nature of the school’s curriculum, research portfolio and industry engagements is preparing students to be leaders of the processes and systems that will drive the future of manufacturing.
The Manufacturing Engineering, BS has project-based, hands-on curriculum and the outstanding fabrication facilities equip graduates to excel as manufacturing engineers as the manufacturing industry makes a dramatic transformation into a future globalized supply network. The team-based learning environment teaches students to find innovative ways to integrate products and services in this ever-changing, fast-paced and complex field.
Students will become key team members who will enable the design of new processes for making such varied products as airplanes, surgical instrument, toys and foodstuffs that meet customer needs, and doing so at the best price and in the most sustainable way while adhering to quality and functionality standards.
Graduates typically work as manufacturing engineers in a variety of companies, large and small. They are often members of design and development teams, cooperating with other people in and outside of their company. Career employment opportunities include direct manufacturing support, manufacturing management and quality control and assurance in large and midsized, established manufacturing companies.
Autonomous systems are ones that can work for an extended period of time without human control or intervention — like driverless cars or autonomous mobile robots.
The BS program in robotics and autonomous systems provides students with a well-rounded education in robotics, controls, autonomous systems and automation. It is intended primarily for those desiring to develop general expertise in robotics and autonomous systems, including both theory and application of robotics and autonomous systems technologies, systems integration and data fusion techniques, and modeling and simulation development.
Students learn to perform analysis, evaluation and synthesis for a broad range of problems related to the design, implementation and efficient operation of robotics and autonomous systems.
Are you interested in constructing our future with robots? You can learn to successfully meet the most difficult challenges of modern robotics and autonomous systems on a global scale with rewarding careers in every industrial sector that ranges from aerospace, space, defense, medical and industrial manufacturing.
Thesis
Manufacturing Engineering students can utilize MFG 493 Honors Thesis as an Upper Division Technical Elective. Contact your major academic advisor for further information.
Past Honors Thesis Projects:
- Co-Bot Integration For High-Volume Manufacturing of Aerospace Components
- Sustainable Manufacturing of PETG 3D Printed Prosthetics
- Small-Scale Manufacturing for Epoxy Resin Curing
- Prioritizing Projects on Time and Cost Savings for a more Efficient Manufacturing Process of a Semiconductor Company
- Process of Apparel Manufacturing for Start-Ups and Small Businesses
Academic Preparation
Students are encouraged to get involved in research early in their academic careers. By leading the future of manufacturing now, our faculty members provide unparalleled opportunities for students to experience the creation of manufacturing systems that produce high-quality, economically competitive products and processes.
Research areas include:
Digital manufacturing
Manufacturing processes that are enhanced by data-driven systems to simulate and optimize processes, accelerate production and reduce operating costs through digital collaboration tools across various high-tech industries.
Additive manufacturing
3D printing processes that enable parts to be produced more efficiently and at much faster rates to advance the entire manufacturing ecosystem across the product lifecycle.
Robotics and automation
To keep up with today’s high-tech demands, advanced factories are using robotic platforms and autonomous systems that are capable of carrying out a set of complex tasks at high speeds and in dangerous environments.
Recommended Timeline
Students are encouraged to work on honors credit every semester to prepare for their future thesis projects and graduation. Courses that are part of the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) program automatically count for honors credit.
In addition, students admitted to the Grand Challenge Scholars Program will automatically earn honors credit for the program’s required courses.
Other Honors Opportunities
Learn more about a manufacturing engineering alumni as a research and development engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Honors student can stay connected to opportunities in Engineering through the Fulton Inner Circle and the Barrett Honors Digest newsletters.