University General Course Catalog 2026-2027 (DRAFT)

Jun 15, 2026

University General Course Catalog 2026-2027 (DRAFT)

Robotics, M.S.

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The College of Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno offers an interdisciplinary Master of Science in Robotics that prepares students to design, analyze, and deploy intelligent robotic systems operating in real-world environments.

The program integrates foundations in kinematics and dynamics, actuation and control, sensing and perception, and embedded and distributed computation with advanced topics in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomous decision-making. Students develop expertise in areas including nonlinear and stochastic systems, estimation and signal processing, computer vision, motion planning, multi-robot coordination, aerial and mobile robotics, bio-inspired and biomechatronic systems, and human-robot interaction.

Emphasizing both physical system design and higher-level autonomy, the program spans applications such as field and infrastructure robotics, aerial systems, socially assistive and human-aware robotics, and intelligent cyber-physical systems operating in complex and uncertain environments.

Students may pursue original research through the Thesis option or complete a comprehensive advanced coursework plan through the Courses-Only option.

Contact Information

David Feil-Seifer Ph.D., Robotics Graduate Program Director
(775) 784-6469
robotics_admissions@unr. edu

Mailing Address:
University of Nevada, Reno
Department of Computer Sciences and Engineering, Mail Stop 0171
1664 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89557-0330

Program Learning Outcomes

apply robotics research and theory to advance the art, science and practice of the discipline.
design and conduct experiments as well as analyze, interpret, apply and disseminate the data.
explain fundamental research methodologies and potential applications of robotic systems.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the master’s degree program should have preparation in mathematics, programming, and engineering fundamentals appropriate for graduate study in robotics. Such preparation may be demonstrated through an undergraduate major or minor in computer science, mathematics, engineering, physics, or a closely related field, or through equivalent coursework and experience. Applicants should further meet the following minimum criteria and submit the required materials for admission:

A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
International applicants have an additional language requirement as outlined on the Graduate School’s international admission page.
A one-page personal statement describing research interests and career goals.
A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Two letters of recommendation.

Applicants are encouraged to take and submit GRE scores, but the GRE is not required. Admission decisions are competitive and satisfaction of the above thresholds does not guarantee an admission. Exceptions to these criteria may be made for applicants who show exceptional promise.

I. Program Requirements

Masters level students may choose Thesis or Non-Thesis options. Each option requires that the students complete a theory course and that their courses span several areas of specialization within the college. The specific requirements of each option are detailed below:

Thesis Option
- This option requires a total of 30 units
- 24 units of coursework
  - 12 of the 24 units of coursework must be completed at the 700 level.
- 6 thesis units (CS/EE/ME/CPE/BME 797)
Non-Thesis Option
- This option requires a total of 30 units of coursework.
- 12 units must be at the 700-level.
- the balance of the 30 units can be at either the 600- or 700-level.
Independent/Internship study
- At most, one independent study course and one internship study course - up to 3 units each - are allowed for both options.

A. Introductory Course Requirement (3 units)

Students must complete one of the following courses with a grade of B or better, if they have not already done so at undergraduate or graduate level:

CPE 670 - Autonomous Mobile Robots (3 units)
ME 622 - Introduction to Robotics (3 units)

B. Breadth Requirement

M.S. students must complete one course from each of the following areas with a grade of “B” or better. The most recent list of courses offered in each area can be found in the robotics program handbook. These units are included in the 30 unit total, they are not additional requirements.

Actuation and Control
Reasoning and Computation
Sensing

C. Foundational Courses Requirement (12 units)

Students must complete four of the following courses (12 units) with a grade of B or better. Courses not used in this section can be used as part of the Electives section.

CPE 671 - Advanced Robotics (3 units)
CS 655 - Mobile Sensor Networks (3 units)
CS 691 - Topics (3 units)
Human-Robot Interaction
Introduction to Aerial Robotics
Advanced Mobile Robotics
CS 777 - Robotics For Humanity (3 units)
CS 790X - Seminar: Robotics (1 to 3 units)
CS 791 - Special Topics (3 units)
Robot Manipulators
Multi-Robot Control and Reinforcement Learning
Advanced Mobile Robotics
EE 626 - Microprocessor Applications (3 units)
EE 661R - Stochastic Systems (3 units)
EE 671 - Control Systems II (3 units)
EE 672 - Digital Control Engineering (3 units)
EE 733A - Machine Intelligence (3 units)
EE 733B - Machine Intelligence (3 units)
EE 733C - Machine Intelligence (3 units)
EE 776 - Nonlinear Control Systems (3 units)
EE 778 - Optimal Control (3 units)
AE 658 - Flight Stability and Control (3 units)
AE 672 - Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control (3 units)
AE 758 - Advanced Navigation and Control (3 units)
ME 710 - Linear Systems (3 units)
ME 712 - Adaptive Control (3 units)
ME 713 - Robust Control (3 units)

D. Robotics Electives (9 units or 15 units)

Students can use any of the above courses or these additional courses for their additional course credits. Students can take 9 elective credits for the Thesis option or 15 elective credits for the Non-thesis option:

BME 626 - Biomedical Instrumentation (3 units)
CS 620 - Human-Computer Interaction (3 units)
CS 622 - Introduction to Machine Learning (3 units)
CS 647 - Computer Systems Administration (3 units)
CS 679 - Pattern Recognition (3 units)
CS 682 - Artificial Intelligence (3 units)
CS 685 - Computer Vision (3 units)
CS 686 - Introduction to Convex Optimization (3 units)
CS 687 - Fundamentals of Deep Learning (3 units)
CS 786 - Advanced Computer Vision (3 units)
CS 790Q - Seminar: Machine Learning (1 to 3 units)
EE 626 - Microprocessor Applications (3 units)
EE 665 - Wireless Sensor Networks (3 units)
EE 680 - Digital Signal Processing (3 units)
EE 681 - Image Analysis (3 units)
EE 693H - Independent Study (1 to 3 units)
EE 782 - Random Signal Analysis and Estimation Theory (3 units)
EE 783 - Advanced Signal Processing (3 units)
EE 786 - Deep Learning (3 units)
ME 611 - Comparative Biomechanics (3 units)
ME 644 - Intermediate Dynamics (3 units)
ME 653 - Mechanical Vibrations (3 units)
ME 663 - Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos (3 units)
ME 682 - Aerodynamics (3 units)
ME 740 - Advanced Dynamics (3 units)
ME 741 - Advanced Vibrations (3 units)
ME 793 - Special Topics (3 units) Nonlinear and Data Driven Estimation
MATH 620 - Mathematical Modeling (3 units)
STAT 661 - A First Course in Probability (3 units)
STAT 753 - Stochastic Models and Simulation (3 units)
STAT 775 - Advanced Study of Topics in Probability and Statistics (3 units)

E. Thesis Credits (0 or 6 units)

Thesis MS students are required to enroll in 6-credits of supervised research under any of these course numbers:

BME 797 - Thesis (1 to 6 units)
CPE 797 - Thesis (1 to 6 units)
CS 797 - Thesis (1 to 6 units)
EE 797 - Thesis (1 to 6 units)
ME 797 - Thesis (1 to 9 units)
AE 797 - Thesis (1 to 9 units)

F. Declaration of Advisor

The students must find an advisor and submit the Declaration of Advisor form (https://www.unr.edu/grad/student-academics/forms) to Graduate School by the end of their second semester in the program.

G. Advisory Committee

The advisory committee should be formed within a year of admission to the M. S. program by submitting a program of study. The advisory-examining committee consists of at least three members of the graduate faculty, two from the robotics faculty and one who is the Graduate School Representative. Courses Only students do not need to assemble an advisory committee, and their program of study and notice of completion only needs to be signed by the graduate director.

Students should submit the program of study form (https://www.unr.edu/grad/student-academics/forms) to Graduate School the semester before they plan to graduate.

II. Total Units (30 units)

Thesis Option 30 units.

Non-Thesis Option 30 units

III. Recommended Schedule

These schedules are merely suggestions and can vary depending on your advisor and course availability etc.

Thesis Plan

First Year

First semester:

CPE 670 Autonomous Mobile Robots OR
ME 622 Introduction to Robotics (3 units)
600/700 level courses (6 units)

Second semester:

600/700 level courses (9 units)

Second Year

Third semester:

600/700 level courses (6 units)
Thesis (3 units)

Fourth semester:

Thesis (3 units)

Non-Thesis Plan