This is a growing subsection of Mechanical Engineering dealing specifically with using knowledge from Electronics and Computer Engineering and Science to build intelligent mechanical devices – also commonly referred to as embedded systems. It is a synergy of the three fields with mechanical engineering forming the foundation.
Specific areas of education in this Mechatronics include:-
A graduate in the Mechatronic field can be involved in any process/products – military or civilian that involved machine intelligent in mechanical system. For example: Consumer products, (air conditioners, washing machine, vehicle security bump alarm, perimeter security, mobile phone/devices etc), consumer robots e.g. house cleaning Military – Personnel, safety, object categorization warning devices Disaster – Urban search and rescue devices, early warning devices etc. Hospital – computerized surgical endoscopes/minimally invasive surgery, Robotics of all categories – industrial home, military, entertainment etc.
Master of Science (M.Sc) Mechatronics Engineering is a program domiciled in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. It is a mixed mode program (coursework and research). The program is designed to run for a minimum of 2 academic sessions. The first session is for the coursework, while the second session is for the research. Students enrolled in the program are expected to take a minimum of 14 courses, 7 in the first semester and 7 in the second semester. Upon completion and passing of the courses, students are expected to take a research for the second session. In the research phase, the students are expected to have a minimum of 3 presentations, 2 seminar presentations and an external defense. The 2 seminar presentations are proposal and the internal defense. However, if a student performs below expectation in any of the seminar presentations, the student would have to re-present the seminar.
A graduate of Mechatronics engineering can be involved in any process/products be it military or civilian that involve the addition of intelligence to mechanical systems. For example: Consumer products – air conditioners, washing machine, vehicle security, bomb alarm, perimeter security, mobile devices etc, Military – Personnel safety, weapons, systems etc, Disaster Management – Urban search and rescue devices, early warning devices etc. Hospital – computerized surgical endoscopes, minimally invasive surgery etc, Robots of all categories – industrial, home, military, entertainment, medical etc, Prosthetic limbs, Automobile controls, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV), Internet of things.
Applicants should normally have a minimum of a second class lower (2:2) honors degree (B.Sc, B.Eng, B.Tech) in Mechatronics, Mechanical, Electrical or Computer Engineering disciplines from a recognized university or its equivalent. Other qualifications that are equivalent to an honors degree may also be acceptable that is Postgraduate Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical or Computer Engineering.