Accreditation Information
Randolph College’s robotics and mechatronics engineering major is designed to meet accreditation standards set by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that accredits college and university programs in the disciplines of applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology at the associate, bachelor and master degree levels.
ABET accreditation is designed to assure students, employers and society that a program meets the quality standards that produce graduates prepared to enter a global workforce.
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Mission
Randolph College’s Mission
Randolph College prepares students to engage the world critically and creatively, live and work honorably, and experience life abundantly.
Engineering Department’s Mission
To equip students to become outstanding engineers that are leaders in their diverse fields who respond to workforce needs and develop creative solutions to global challenges.
Program Educational Objectives
- Graduates will be able to initiate and develop innovative solutions to complex problems, using both their engineering and liberal arts education.
- Graduates will communicate and collaborate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, in both leadership and support roles.
- Graduates will demonstrate curiosity when encountering new situations and strive for excellence in the engineering profession.
- Graduates will recognize professional standards and ethics, act with integrity with others, and contribute to their communities and the larger world.
- Graduates will develop the ability to design engineering solutions that meet needs while considering safety, health, and the environment.
Student Outcomes
Upon completion of this degree, students will be able to:
- Troubleshoot and resolve problems that arise in circuits, programming, and mechanical systems by applying critical thinking skills and hands on techniques.
- Design, build and program mechatronic systems that can both respond to and alter the environment they are in.
- Effectively communicate technical information to both a broad audience and professionals across science and engineering disciplines.
- Apply their understanding of mechatronic systems to develop creative solutions for problems they encounter in their community and for society as a whole.
- Work within and lead teams with a high degree of professionalism, integrity, and ethical responsibility.
Facilities
The program is a housed in a newly renovated Robotics and Mechatronics Center in Presser Hall. This space is dedicated solely to the program, complete with a teaching lab, research spaces, and machine shop.
Additionally, students will benefit from the $23 million dollar renovation of our Martin Science Building, slated to be complete in 2025.
Institutional Support
Capital Campaign
Randolph College recently launched a $23 million capital campaign, Science Matters, for the renovation of the Martin Science Building and support of our growing science programs – including new programs in Engineering.
Admissions and Recruiting
Dedicated marketing and recruitment materials were developed specifically targeted to engineering students.
SUPER
The scholarship program, “Step-Up to Physical Science and Engineering at Randolph College (SUPER),” builds on Randolph’s SUPER College Transition Program, a two-week, intensive, three-credit course that begins before first-years arrive on campus.
The Summer Transition Program cost of $4,112 includes 4 credits, room, board, field trip costs, and supplies, and all students accepted into the program will receive scholarships to cover this cost.
Curriculum
Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering Major (BS)
Course Title (Credit Hours)
Required: 75 credits
CHEM 1105 General Chemistry (3)
CHEM 1105L General Chemistry Lab (1)
CSCI 1151 Computer Programming I (3)
CSCI 1151L Computer Programming I Lab (1)
CSCI 2225 Matlab and Labview (4)
ENGR 1105 Introduction to Manufacturing and Mechatronics (4)
ENGR 2216 Statics (4)
ENGR 2217 Dynamics (4)
ENGR 2240 Material Science and Engineering (4)
ENGR 2241 Strength of Materials (4)
ENGR 2256 Green Engineering Design (4)
ENGR 3301 Mechatronics Engineering Lab (4)
ENGR 3303 Controls Engineering (4)
ENGR 3305 Instruments, Controls, Machine Automation (4)
ENGR 3331 Electronics Laboratory (4)
MATH 1149 Calculus I (4)
MATH 1150 Calculus II (4)
MATH 2241 Linear Algebra (4)
PHYS 1115 General Physics I (3)
PHYS 1115L General Physics I Lab (1)
PHYS 1116 General Physics II (3)
PHYS 1116L General Physics II Lab (1)
PHYS/CHEM 3378 Classical & Statistical Thermodynamics (3)
One of the following: 4 credits
ENGR 4401 Robotics and Automation Lab (4)
ENGR 4402 Mechatronics Theory and Application (4)
One of the following: 4 credits
MATH 3331 Differential Equations (4)
PHYS 3301S Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers (4)
Senior Program: 4 credits
ENGR 4494 Capstone Design Project (4)
Total for BS in Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering – 87 credits
Enrollment and Graduation Data
Robotics and Mechatronics Program started in Fall 2024. Data updated January 2025.
| Graduates | None expected until 2027 |
| Seniors (class of 2025) | 0 |
| Juniors (class of 2026) | 0 |
| Sophomores (class of 2027) | 1 |
| First Years (class of 2028) | Students typically do not declare their major until the sophomore year |
Engineering Courses
ENGR 1105 - Introduction To Robotics And Mechatronics
Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field that refers to the skill sets needed in the contemporary, advanced automated manufacturing industry. At the intersection of mechanics, electronics, and computing, mechatronics specialists create simpler, smarter systems. This course provides foundational concepts in mechatronics including analog and digital electronics, sensors, actuators, microprocessors, and microprocessor interfacing to electromechanical systems. Credit hours 4.
ENGR 2216 - Statics
This course focuses on external (both applied and reactive) and internal forces on rigid bodies or particles that are stationary or moving with constant velocity. These concepts are applied to simple trusses, frames, and machines. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: PHYS 1115.
ENGR 2217 - Dynamics
This course in vector dynamics is designed to teach solution techniques for rigid body kinematics. Conservation of momentum and energy are employed to analyze two and three dimensional problems. The use of vectors and free body diagrams for the analysis of dynamic mechanical systems is stressed. Credit hours 4. Prerequisite: PHYS 1115.
ENGR 2240 - Material Science And Engineering
How is the structure of matter manipulated to create materials with valuable properties. Application of physical and chemical principles to understanding, selection, and fabrication of engineering materials. Materials considered include metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, and electronic materials. Case studies of materials used range from transportation systems to microelectronic devices. Credit hours 4. Prerequisite: PHYS 1115 and CHEM 1105.
ENGR 2241 - Strength Of Materials
The study and mathematical modeling of the mechanical behavior of materials under load. Emphasis will be on the elastic conditions of equilibrium, compatibility and material behavior. Includes study of stress and strain in columns, connectors, beams, eccentrically-loaded members, as well as introduction to statically indeterminate members. Credit hours 4. Prerequisite: PHYS 1115 and CHEM 1105.
ENGR 2256 - Green Engineering Design
Credit hours: 4. One time only.
ENGR 3301 - Robotics And Mechatronics Engineering Laboratory
Electromechanical design and control applications. Theory, modeling, simulation, analysis, design and building of electronic interfaces and controllers; sensors and actuators; software development, micro- controller technology, and applications. Develop, compile, and test algorithms for serial and mobile robots. Robot forward and inverse kinematics, task planning, velocity kinematics, force rendering, control, haptics, mapping and localization, computer vision and path planning. Credit hours 4. Prerequisite: PHYS 1116 and ENGR 1105.
ENGR 3303 - Controls Engineering
Feedback and forward loop control design and simulation; discrete time and frequency domain methods with implementation considerations. This course provides an introduction to linear systems, transfer functions, and Laplace transforms. It covers stability and feedback, and provides basic design tools for specifications of transient response. It also briefly covers frequency-domain techniques. Credit hours 4. Prerequisite: PHYS 1115 and ENGR 1105.
ENGR 3305 - Instruments, Controls, Machine Automation
Characteristics of instruments used in mechanical systems for determining parameters such as temperature, pressure and flow are studied. The use of these devices in automated systems is covered both using feedback control and programmable logic controllers. Laboratory exercises illustrating the use of pertinent instrumentation for determining the performance of mechanical equipment are conducted. Credit hours 4. Prerequisite: ENGR 3303.
ENGR 3331 - Electronics Laboratory
A lecture laboratory course with emphasis on practical applications. Includes hands-on experience in building and testing electronic circuits and devices, and an introduction to digital logic, digital electronics, and computer interfacing. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: PHYS 1116, 1116L; MATH 1150. (WI)
ENGR 4401 - Robotics And Automation Laboratory
This course introduces the basic principles of robotic manipulators. Students will learn how to derive the mathematical models, plan trajectories, and design controllers for robot applications. Software tools, such as MATLAB, are employed to analyze and simulate the robot system. Credit hours 4. Prerequisite: ENGR 3301.
ENGR 4402 - Mechatronics Theory And Application
The design of mechanical and electrical devices and systems, and cost considerations are covered. The course focuses on reliability, safety, energy and environmental issues, ethics, patents, product liability, time value of money, return on investment, and breakeven analysis. Projects require planning, proposal presentation, scheduling, engineering, implementation, and written and oral presentations of project results. Credit hours 4. Prerequisite: ENGR 3301.
ENGR 4494 - Capstone Design Project
Capstone Design is a culminating course for robotics and mechatronics students. Often in a real-world industry setting, students work in teams to design, build, and test prototypes. Students showcase their efforts at the Randolph College Symposium of Artists and Scholars. Credit hours 4. Prerequisite: Senior standing.
