Robotics Engineering B.S.

Information and Policies

Program Learning Outcomes

Student Outcomes

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors

3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Academic Advising for the Program

The Baskin Engineering Undergraduate Advising office offers general advising for prospective and declared undergraduates majoring in Baskin Engineering programs. The office handles major declarations, transfer credits, course substitutions, articulations, and degree certifications.

Transfer students should also refer to the Transfer Information and Policy section.

Baskin Engineering Building, Room 225
bsoeadvising@ucsc.edu
(831) 459-5840

Getting Started in the Major: Frosh

This major is highly course intensive and sequential; students who intend to pursue this major must begin taking classes for the major in their first quarter at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Math placement is required for one or more of the foundational courses for this major. For more information, please review the Math Placement website.

Transfer Information and Policy

Transfer students who want to pursue the robotics engineering major must have applied and been admitted to UC Santa Cruz as a proposed robotics engineering major.

Transfer Admission Screening Policy

Time to degree completion varies based on coursework completed prior to transfer. Students are strongly encouraged to complete all equivalent coursework available to them before transferring.

Please refer to the sample plans in the requirements and planners section. In most cases, students are not able to complete more than two upper-division classes per term. Contact the BE Advising office if you have questions regarding how long it will take to complete the degree requirements.

The following courses or their equivalents, are required prior to transfer by the end of spring term for students planning to enter in the fall.

First-year calculus

Both:

Linear Algebra

One of:

Differential equations

One of:

Calculus-based physics

Two quarters of calculus-based physics courses accepted as equivalent to:

Cumulative GPA

A minimum GPA of 2.8 must be obtained in the courses listed above.

Beginning fall of 2026, CSE 12 or an equivalent will be required prior to transfer

Computer systems

Additionally

In addition, the following courses are recommended prior to transfer.

Prospective students are encouraged to prioritize required and recommended major preparation prior to transfer, and may additionally complete courses that articulate to UC Santa Cruz general education requirements as time allows.

Getting Started in the Major: Transfer Students

Transfer students should declare their major in their first quarter at UC Santa Cruz. Instructions for declaring a major in Baskin Engineering are on the Declare Your Major page.

Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process

Major Qualification

Transfer students should refer to the Transfer Admission Screening requirements.

In order to be admitted into the robotics engineering major students must be listed as a proposed major within Baskin Engineering. Please refer to the Baskin Engineering "Proposed Major Retention" and its "Declaring a Baskin Engineering Major" sections in the catalog or the BE Undergraduate Advising Prepare to Declare page for more information.

In addition to being listed as a proposed Baskin Engineering major, declaration of the robotics engineering major in the first six quarters of enrollment at UC Santa Cruz is based on performance in the following lower-division courses and associated labs required for the major:

Take both of these courses:

Plus one of the following:

Plus one of the following:

And all of these courses:

Students in their first six quarters who have completed at least 41 credits in these courses will be admitted to the robotics major if their cumulative GPA is at least 2.8 in all the courses listed above; and they have attempted no more than seven credits resulting in grades of C-, D+, D, D-, F or NP in all of the courses listed above.

NOTE: Students seeking to change their current major to the robotics engineering B.S. in their seventh through ninth quarters who have completed all of the lower-division major requirements, and have completed the four or more of the following upper-division classes and associated labs with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 by their ninth quarter will also be admitted: ECE 101/ECE 101L, ECE 103/ECE 103L, ECE118, ECE121, ECE141, ECE167, STAT 131 or CSE 107, CSE 100/CSE 100L.

Appeal Process

Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the undergraduate director within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student, the college, and the Office of the Registrar of the decision.

If you have further questions concerning the appeal process, please contact the Undergraduate Advising Office at (831) 459-5840 or email bsoeadvising@ucsc.edu.

More information regarding the appeal process can be found on the BE Undergraduate Advising Appeal Your Major page.

How to Declare a Major

Instructions for declaring a major in Baskin Engineering are on the Baskin Engineering Undergraduate Advising Declare Your Major page.

Letter Grade Policy

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department requires letter grading for all courses applied toward the B.S. in robotics engineering. This policy includes courses required for the degree that are sponsored by other departments.

Course Substitution Policy

Please refer to the Substitutions for Courses Taken at UCSC and Course Equivalencies and Substitutions Taken at an Outside Institution sections of the Baskin Engineering page of the catalog for the policy regarding course substitutions.

Double Majors and Major/Minor Combinations Policy

Students completing this major cannot also receive the computer engineering minor or the network and digital technology B.A. degree.

Study Abroad

Four-Year Institutions and the UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP)

Students who intend to take a course at a four-year institution or UC Education Abroad, must submit a Course Substitution Petition to the BE Undergraduate Advising Office to have the course reviewed for equivalency. Courses that need to be reviewed must be accompanied by a course description and syllabus.

It is very helpful if students can provide further evidence of course content, such as examples of programming assignments, homework, or examinations. To guarantee equivalency, departments may sometimes require a grade of B or better. If the course is approved for equivalency, then the student must also receive approval by their major department PRIOR to taking the class. Forms and procedures for approval can be obtained from and submitted to the BE Undergraduate Advising Office.

Honors

Majors are considered for “Honors in the Major” and “Highest Honors in the Major” based on their GPA and on results of undergraduate research and other significant contributions to Baskin Engineering. Students with a GPA of 3.7 or higher, in most cases, receive highest honors. Students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher but less than 3.7, in most cases, receive honors. Students with particularly significant accomplishments in undergraduate research or contributions to Baskin Engineering may be considered with a lower GPA. Robotics engineering juniors and seniors may also be eligible for election to the UC Santa Cruz chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society founded in 1885.

School of Engineering Policies

Please refer to the Baskin Engineering section of the catalog for additional policies that apply to all Baskin Engineering programs.

Materials Fee and Miscellaneous Fees

Please see the section on fees under Baskin Engineering.

Requirements and Planners

Course Requirements

Completing the major declaration requirements in math and physics during the first two years is a priority to meet upper-division prerequisites. Although not required, it is recommended that students interested in the robotics engineering major take ECE 8, Introduction to Robot Automation. Please contact BE Advising if you have questions. The senior comprehensive requirement for robotics engineering majors is satisfied by completion of the capstone course and the portfolio exit requirement. Students not making sufficient progress in the major may be recommended to change to another major.

Lower-Division Courses

Students who may have originally pursued another major should discuss with the Baskin Engineering Undergraduate Advising office whether or not already completed coursework may be substituted for one or more lower-division requirements.

Either of the following:

And all the following:

And the following:

And either of the following:

And all the following courses:

Upper-Division Courses

All of the following:

And either of the following:

Electives

Advanced Robotics Elective

One of the following:

Upper-Division and Graduate Elective

One course from the following (with a recommendation of ECE163):

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students in all majors must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement in robotics is satisfied by completing the senior capstone course sequence:

Either these three courses:

Or these two courses:

Comprehensive Requirement

The senior comprehensive requirement for robotics engineering majors is in two parts: a project course and assessment options.

Capstone Requirement

Students must complete one capstone design course that spans three quarters

or complete the following courses:

Exit Requirement

Students are required to complete an exit survey and attend an exit interview. Portfolios of the students work will be collected from our courses for program evaluation. The portfolios will be reviewed by the Electrical and Computer Engineering undergraduate committee and will include two project reports: ECE 118 and either the senior capstone report (ECE 129A/ECE 129B/ECE 129C) or the student’s senior thesis.

Planners

The tables below are for informational purposes and do not reflect all university, general education, and credit requirements. See Undergraduate Graduation Requirements for more information.

The following is a sample academic plan for incoming first-year students. Students who are unable to follow this planner should consult with ECE advisors for alternatives. Transfer students should seek advisement as their plans will vary depending on their lower-division courses.

Plan for Entering Frosh

* MATH 19A is the priority for 1st-year students. ECE 8 is recommended for 1st-year students who have already earned credit for MATH 19A. Please consult with BE Advising if you have questions.

** WRIT 2 should be taken in or before spring quarter of the second year.
Electives and advanced robotics electives may only be offered once per year, and may have additional prerequisites.

Plan for Junior Transfer Students with completion of screening requirements for admission

Electives and Advanced Robotics Electives may only be offered once per year, and may have additional prerequisites.

Plan for Junior Transfer Students with completion of all recommended coursework prior to transfer

Electives and Advanced Robotics Electives may only be offered once per year, and may have additional prerequisites.
Curriculum charts for all Baskin Engineering majors are available at the BE Undergraduate Advising Major Curriculum Charts page.