Carnegie Mellon uses units; one unit represents approximately one hour of work per week for the duration of the course. The MRSD program requires a total of 180 units for degree completion. This can be understood more thoroughly by visiting the Curriculum page.
Due to the variety of course content, university teaching levels, and the specificity of MRSD courses, the program will not accept any transfer credits.
A hallmark of the MRSD Program is the unique, two-semester project course. Projects are solicited from industrial and RI faculty sponsors, and a list is prepared and shared with students. Students and their teams are encouraged to contact potential sponsors to find out more about the projects, and the Systems Engineering course will also assist [...]
The degree requirements for students in the MRSD Program consist of Required Courses and Business/Technical Electives. In order to be eligible for graduation, MRSD students must successfully complete the 180-unit curriculum as outlined on the program website. To be eligible for degree certification, students are required to obtain a grade of B- or better in [...]
Although not guaranteed, there are sometimes opportunities to serve as a Research Assistant. A small number of MRSD students have done research for hourly pay, if the lab/faculty member can provide that. Hiring decisions are made by the course instructors and/or the faculty who supervise the labs; the resultant income is helpful for groceries, books, [...]
MRSD is designed to be completed full-time in 21 months. Accepted MRSD students interested in completing the program part-time should contact the MRSD Program Office to discuss their individual circumstance. The Robotics Institute does not offer distance-learning, thereby requiring students to be on the Pittsburgh campus for all formal coursework. The MRSD program generally does [...]
The companies listed here have consistently expressed interest in working with MRSD students. The MRSD Director & Manager help to facilitate internship placement by circulating a Resume Book each fall to the companies listed on the website and to other relevant industry contacts. Students are responsible for applying for positions on their own. Interviewing and [...]
It is highly recommended that students engage in a summer internship to obtain practical and applied work experience. Through the internship, students can gain insight into a company, technical area or business segment, which will help guide future career focus and choices. Students choosing to complete a MRSD-relevant summer internship will be registered for 3 [...]
Internships are typically paid, but this - among other relevant employment details - is always discussed between the student and the specific company hosting the internship. Internship pay can frequently be quite competitive, though this depends largely on the type of company and the geographic location.
Pittsburgh has an increasingly vibrant entrepreneurial environment. About 60 of the 300 companies on the MRSD contact list of robotics companies are in the Pittsburgh area. CMU provides favorable financial terms and good support for spin-off companies. The Tepper Business School gives strong support to entrepreneurs, including through the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship. The city [...]