Robotics

Upon graduating, students will be prepared either to pursue an engineering job in the growing field of robotics or to progress into a doctoral degree program in robotics or related multidisciplinary areas across computer science; mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering; and biomedical and rehabilitation robotics.

Mechanical Engineering

• Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering/scientific/quantitative problems.
• Explain and apply engineering design principles.
• Produce solutions that meet specified end-user needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
• Recognize the tools and principles needed for understanding robotic and control systems by merging electrical and mechanical engineering and computer science.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Recognize the tools and principles needed for understanding robotic and control systems with a multidisciplinary approach that combines electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science.
• Understand system-level design of complex software and hardware that is used to build robotic systems that include a variety of asynchronous sensors and actuators.
• Understand the theoretical principles underlying localization, mapping, and planning to build, design, and deploy a variety of robotic systems ranging from fully autonomous to remotely operated systems.

Computer Science

• Use basic engineering concepts flexibly in a variety of contexts.
• Understand the planning, perception, and learning algorithms common in robotics and be able to apply these algorithms in the context of mobility and manipulation systems.
• Understand the kinematics and dynamics of robotic systems and be able to design controllers for these systems.
• Understand the sensor, actuator, embedded, mapping, localization, and navigation systems commonly used in robotics and be able to build/integrate end-to-end systems.

Biomedical and Rehabilitation

• Learn human movement and rehabilitation sciences that focus on movement control, neurorehabilitation, and motor learning.
• Focus on the importance of patient rehabilitation to facilitate functional recovery and promote future independence.
• Learn ways to apply robotics to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of therapy.

• Interdisciplinary programs give students a skill set that can evolve over time to suit changing research and career interests in this rapidly evolving industry.
• Students can specialize their learning with electives in areas such as mechatronic systems, robot mechanics, control systems, robotic manipulation, artificial intelligence, sensing and navigation, mobile and field robots, medical robotics, and machine learning.
• Get direct classroom interaction with quality robotics systems supported by state-of-the-art equipment and advanced laboratories.
• Engage in comprehensive research with accomplished faculty, facilities, and multidisciplinary research centers, including the Institute for Experiential Robotics.
• Participate in our top-ranked co-op program, enabling students to gain up to eight months of professional experience as part of the academic curriculum.
• Learn in a location that is a robotics hub, with Northeastern playing a large role in educating tomorrow’s leaders.
• Students can pursue industry careers or progress into a doctoral degree program in robotics or related multidisciplinary areas.
• Students can pursue the MS thesis, MS project, or coursework-only option.

Classes in this multidisciplinary program incorporate direct interaction with a variety of robotic systems supported by highly accomplished faculty, state-of-the-art equipment, and advanced laboratories and research centers, including the university-wide Institute for Experiential Robotics located in the new EXP building.

Research opportunities are available with a variety of robotic systems, including an autonomous Lincoln MKZ car, multiple deep-rated autonomous underwater vehicles, dozens of unmanned aerial and ground robotic systems, commercial and research manipulators, and biologically inspired robots.

• Completed online application form

• Two letters of recommendation

• Transcripts from all institutions attended

  • The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)

• GRE is not required for terms starting during the 2023-2024 or 2024-2025 academic years

• Statement of purpose

• Resumé

• TOEFL = 100, IELLTS 7.0, Duolingo is not accepted

• The application fee is waived for all new applicants applying to any of our Master of Science or Graduate Certificates for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 application terms.