Automaton

Georgia Tech announced today that it has established an interdisciplinary doctoral degree in robotics. The program, scheduled to start in the fall, is part of Georgia Tech's new Center for Robotics and Intelligent Machines. Georgia Tech, in Atlanta, says this is the first program of its kind in the United States. From the press release:

Reaching across disciplines and drawing from curricula in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, aerospace, biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering, the doctoral degree is designed to educate a new breed of multidisciplinary researchers who will enter the market best prepared to chart a new course for robotics in the United States.

Georgia Tech says the program expects to admit approximately 15 candidates per year, eventually building it to 60 enrolled students. The program consists of 36 semester hours of core research and elective courses, a comprehensive qualifying exam with written and oral components, and a piece of original research and doctoral thesis.

PS: In October, as we reported, the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, established the first undergraduate robotics engineering degree.