An Interdisciplinary Curriculum in Robotics and Automation to Fill an Industry Gap

Demand has been increasing for engineering technology graduates with skills in PLC-based automation that integrates industrial robotics.Employers report a lack of educational programs that prepare automation practitioners with a mix of technical preparation and practical experience appropriate to current and emerging implementation and troubleshooting technologies.In the past decade, Engineering Technology programs at Kansas State University Salina Campus noted that PLC-based automation had become the top-paying job opportunity for bachelor's degree graduates in both electronic and computer engineering technology and mechanical engineering technology.Students often expressed interest in courses outside their discipline that would augment their robotics and automation implementation skills.Seizing the opportunity, Engineering Technology faculty developed a robotics and automation curriculum that pulled from existing courses from the program areas of electronics, mechanical, and computer systems.The new program's student learning outcomes were drawn from industry employers, industry association bodies of knowledge, ABET programmatic criteria, and faculty expertise.Difficulties in fitting the multitude of desired outcomes into the curriculum were addressed through integrative lab experiences and electives.Laboratory and faculty resources were largely already in place due to prior programmatic strengths in automated technologies but were grown with the increased faculty and student focus.Establishment of an Industrial Advisory Board dedicated to robotics and automation has formalized and increased employer input into curriculum, lab, and student development opportunities.Program assessment and feedback from industry informs continuous-improvement updates to the curriculum.The automation-focused degree and capabilities of its graduates has resulted in increased interest with local manufacturers supporting students through concurrent internship employment and scholarship opportunities.