A robotics career is an interdisciplinary field and there are many routes to take to become a professional roboticist. Every country has a different list of subjects they prescribe to high school students who are aspiring to study robotics and get into a good university. Robotics is the division of science that explains the study of mechanical engineering, cognitive science, biotechnology, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, design, development, and the operation of robots.
Core Subjects for Robotics and AI
The following is a list of core subjects every robotics student has to study before they apply for online courses and universities:
Mathematics – Strong fundamentals in algebra and geometry are a must. You should have a basic understanding and advanced high school mathematical concepts.
Physics – Physics covers topics such as magnetism, electrical circuitry, material science, and other important subjects which are crucial to robotics. The science of physics teaches students how to apply these concepts to solve real-world problems with robots.
Computer Programming – Computer programming is the backbone of robotics and you will be busy designing software for your robots. From the interface features, core operations, and other mechanics, coding is important in robots. Most schools cover the fundamentals in their computer science lessons but if they don’t, you can always take an online course on programming.
Other subjects – Some robotics programs have special requirements or other subjects as part of their joining prerequisites. For example, students may be expected to have a background in bioengineering, mechatronics, electronics, and electrical manufacturing before they get approved for a course.
Robotics Courses for Students
Robotics engineering with AI is not a straightforward career path like law or medicine. Not all colleges offer the right majors for their programs and there are a few additional courses students have to enroll in to complete their education.
Below is a list of the different types of robotics degrees available for students.
- Master’s Degree in Visual Computing and Robotics
- Bachelors in Mechatronics and Robotics
- BSc in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
- BEng in Robotics, Autonomous, and Interactive Systems
Universities offer students a foundation year program before they let them enter into the Bachelor’s degree route. Some universities offer an integrated Master’s Degree program and placement assistance upon graduation.
How to Prepare for a Robotics Program?
High School students require between 96 to 144 UCAS points in order to be eligible for admission into a Bachelor’s Degree course. Some universities may have lower requirements and this is not fixed. Other qualifications recognized by universities are;
- A Levels
- Scottish Highers
- International Baccalaureate
- BTECs
The grading requirements for these high school qualifications will vary and most universities will have a grade threshold set. For example, A-level students need to have an A* and 3 As in their test report for applying to these courses. Getting a C or E grade won’t let them qualify for these programs and they may have to redo their examinations or take a drop year and study. It is generally good to further study subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, and other STEM disciplines in high school. General subjects like ICT and Business studies are not accepted by universities for applications.
Are Robotics and AI Courses Online Worth It?
Great Learning artificial intelligence courses online can help students build strong foundations in different subjects. The online Bootcamp programs provide a hands-on learning experience and fast-track their careers. Having a robotics and AI certification on your student application shows your dedication to the field. Additionally, students who build capstone projects and showcase them in their portfolios have higher chances of getting admitted into university programs on-campus.
If you have good grades and back them up with an impressive portfolio, you can even win scholarships to institutions. There are many stories of computer science students getting full-ride scholarships into robotics university courses from different countries every year.
How Much Do Robotics Graduates Make?
A robotics engineer in India can take anywhere between INR 1.7 lacs to INR 8.4 lacs per annum depending on their job role, company, and location. The average salary of a Robotics engineer in the country is INR 3.4 lacs and this figure is based on a study done on over 590 graduates. NASA robotics engineers make up to $36/hour and the average salary of a Robotics Engineering graduate in the United States is USD 89,429 a year. The highest paying locations for robotics engineers in the US are Mountain View California, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, Texas, Columbus, and Boston.
About Post Graduate Robotics University Courses
A post-graduate robotics university course welcomes entry for all international students and is a great way to upskill after completing a Bachelor’s Degree course. Graduates get to work on various real-world projects related to automation, agriculture, medicine, manufacturing, and other industry vertical segments in these. Students get the option to study on campus or do their programs online and complete the final year as part of an international exchange program.
Most governments in international countries provide loans to students for applying to these courses. A post-graduate program in artificial intelligence and machine learning can last up to 12 months and institutes usually provide placement assistance after course completion.
What Jobs Can You Apply for?
Robotics graduates can apply for a variety of jobs after completing a graduate degree. Students who finish a Great Learning post-graduate program in artificial intelligence and machine learning can apply for job roles such as test engineers, software engineers, machine learning analysts, data scientists, cyber security engineers, application engineers, renewable energy engineers, etc.
Top companies like NetApp, Vodafone, PwC, Wipro, Larsen & Toubro, Salesforce, and Barclays are hiring robotics graduates from university campuses every year and conducting interviews online too.
And also there are many companies like DeskFlex which offer flexible and innovative software for office hoteling and scheduling of conference rooms, office workspaces, desks, and parking spaces, So people who have knowledge in software development have great career opportunities in this field.
Conclusion
Candidates applying for this position should also have a thorough knowledge of Python and R when it comes to robotics. This is why it’s recommended to study Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning as well along with other robotics subjects. Students can give their final exams online after completion of their course. You can always start with the basics of machine learning for free to learn fundamental concepts and build a strong foundation.
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