Impact of an Updated Robotics Laboratory in an Industrial Engineering Program

Robotics is the study of the design, manufacture and application of robots used in a variety of existing systems or systems to be created. The impact and benefits of robotics in education at all levels have been documented by many researchers and educators all across the country, as well as, the world. Several universities have developed robotics programs which provide unique opportunities for students to learn about robotic systems through coursework and conduct highlevel research. When these courses are combined with hands-on laboratory modules, robotics provides a means for student to utilize their analytical skills learned in other Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) courses to solve real-world problems in the areas of transportation, scheduling, manufacturing, logistics, and many others. With a Course, Curriculum and Lab Improvement (CCLI) grant project sponsored by the National Science Foundation from 2009 2011, an updated Industrial Robotics and Automated Manufacturing (IRAM) laboratory was developed. Utilizing this newly updated laboratory at Morgan State University (MSU), students are now able to use modern equipment within a set of courses specifically designed around the facility. These courses are in the areas of advanced material handling systems, robotics and automation, computer-aided manufacturing, and flexible manufacturing systems. The integration of these courses with a hands-on laboratory approach into the Industrial Engineering (IE) undergraduate curriculum allows the student population to get a new and innovative type of training and preparation for the engineering workforce, and to strengthen it through increased awareness in learning how to use robotic-related software to model systems. In addition, students can determine solutions for various manufacturing and service scenarios and engage in realistic applications of manufacturing systems through the new lab modules. Overall, the CCLI project has had a significant and broad impact as the engineering students have participated in these courses and the results show that the students have gained much from them. Due to the interest in taking these new elective courses and successfully completing the courses which utilize the IRAM lab, the number of under-represented students (women and minorities) who graduate with this new background has increased in the IE department at MSU. In addition, the readiness of these engineering students entering into graduate research programs and the engineering workforce has also increased.