Transatlantic partnership creates new robotics postgraduate programme

A new Masters programme for robotics has been unveiled, bringing together two respected institutions in the discipline on either side of the Atlantic.

The MSc in Robotics Technology will be run jointly by Plymouth University and Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, and will be the first of its kind in Europe.

Students enrolling on the two-year programme will have the opportunity to study with both institutions and will receive two Masters Degrees upon graduation.

Programme leader Guido Bugmann, of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Plymouth University, said: “Plymouth and Carnegie Mellon have developed a programme that allows students to effectively access expertise at both sites and enables us to broaden the scope of their study.

“The course will reflect new global interest in the application of robotic technology for sustainability and development, for example, which makes this an ideal degree for international students who are looking to take their skills and ideas and make a difference in emerging economies around the world.”

Plymouth will be the location for the first year of study, supplemented by mentoring visits and video conferencing support from academics at Carnegie Mellon. The second year then takes place full-time in the US.

Carnegie Mellon recently placed 20th in the Times Higher World University Rankings, and was the 12th highest ranked institution in engineering and technology, and joint-1st for computer science, which includes robotics. Plymouth, meanwhile, excelled in the 2008 RAE in robotics and has worked on a number of high profile projects recently, including language acquisition and cognition, the use of robots in hospitals to work with long-term child patients, and the development of the world’s fastest bipedal android in the FIRA competition.

The relationship has also opened up a number of undergraduate opportunities via Carnegie’s Robotics Institute Summer Scholars Program.

Rachel Burcin, Manager of the MSc in Robotics Technology for CMU, said: “This unique programme will equip students with technical experiences in both countries and opportunities to develop a professional network of mentors, scholars and peers that spans two continents and multiple cultures.

“Graduates will be global leaders with the experience and understanding of our interconnected economy. These critical skills will make graduates competitive and in-demand in today’s work force.”

Bugmann added: “This is a very positive development because, by bringing together Plymouth and Carnegie Mellon in this way, we can create new opportunities for our students to develop their skills.”