Page 86 - The Mechatronics Handbook

6.10 Mechatronic Curriculum Developments

The current mechatronic curriculum leaves much to be desired, and the following strategy, which can
be modified and expanded, should be pursued by academia to integrate the mechatronic courses in the
undergraduate and graduate curricula:
• commercialize and market mechatronic program;
• expand the mechatronic horizon to conventional and mini-scale mechatronic systems, as well as
to MEMS and NEMS which are emerging areas in engineering;
• revise the engineering curriculum. In particular, Electromagnetics, Electromechanical Motion
Devices, Power Electronics, Control, Microelectronics, and DSP courses should be offered as the
required core courses, and as prerequisites for advanced mechatronic courses;
• emphasize mechatronics as the center of the undergraduate and graduate electromechanical engi-
neering curriculum rather than at the periphery;
• cover moderately complex electromechanical systems and case studies in the undergraduate
mechatronic courses and relocate highly specialized topics to the graduate program;
• develop an intellectually demanding, progressive, well-balanced mechatronic curriculum and
mechatronic courses with laboratories;
• fully integrate computer-aided-design tools and advanced high-performance simulation software;
• extend mechatronics to the undergraduate senior design projects;
• write and publish comprehensive books, textbooks, and handbooks in mechatronics; and
• widely and timely disseminate the results.
Manageable collaboration between engineering disciplines and departments can be achieved within
the mechatronic program. The following basic courses sequence can be applied:
• Electromechanical Motion Devices,
• Power Electronics and Microelectronics,
• Microprocessors and Interfacing,
• Digital Signal Processing,
• Electromechanical Systems,
• Introduction to Mechatronics,
• Control Systems Theory and Control of Mechatronic Systems,
• Mechatronic Systems and Smart Structures,
• Microelectromechancial Systems,
• Nanoelectromechanical Systems.
Due to the differences in the electrical and computer, mechanical, and aerospace engineering plans of
study and the limited number of elective engineering courses counted towards the degree, the mechatronic
courses sequence can be different. For example, for electrical engineering students, the coursework plan
of study can be designed using fundamental electrical engineering and applied mechanical engineering;
for mechanical engineering students, fundamental mechanical engineering and applied electrical engi-
neering can be emphasized. The students will have fundamentals in one core area while accomplishing
breadth and receiving applied knowledge in the other field.
6.11 Conclusions: Mechatronics Perspectives
Far-reaching fundamental and technological advances in electromechanical motion devices (actuators

and sensors), power electronics, solid-state devices, ICs, MEMS and NEMS, materials and packaging,
computers and informatics, microprocessors and DSPs, digital signal and optical processing, as well
as computer-aided-design tools and simulation software, have brought new challenges to academia,

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