Robotics & Mechatronics Engineering
Randolph College » Academic Programs » Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering
Our immersive, interdisciplinary, and hands-on curriculum prepares students for careers in the exciting and fast growing field of mechatronics.
What is Robotics and Mechatronics?
Mechatronics is an emerging interdisciplinary engineering field that includes mechanics, electronics, computing, and systems.
In fact, the word mechatronics is a combination of mechanical and electronics.
Robotics is a subset of mechatronics focusing on applied systems to design, build, and operate smart machines.
Why Study Robotics and Mechatronics at Randolph?
The interdisciplinary nature of the program gives majors a solid foundation in engineering, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
The liberal arts emphasis of Randolph College will teach majors to think critically, reason logically, and communicate effectively, preparing them for leadership roles in the field.
Hands-on experience with actual robots begins on day one. While large universities boast massive labs, most of their undergraduates will never set foot in them. Randolph professors work closely with students to create hands-on and research experiences that fits their vision.
Every major industry including telecommunications, agriculture, transportation, biotechnology, automobile, national security, and renewable energy relies heavily on mechatronics.
Randolph graduates will enter the field prepared not only to excel in their first job, but to advance toward management and future-proof their skills through continual learning.
Degrees offered
starting in 2024-2025
Bachelor of Science Degree in Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering
Minor in Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering
FANUC Robotics Certification
Related Programs
The Randolph Experience
Faculty Mentorship
From your first day on campus, you will work closely with your faculty advisor to identify and shape your academic interests and vision into your own personal Randolph Plan.
Together, you will create an experience that allows you to develop your skills, challenge yourself, explore your interests and achieve your goals.
This includes both curricular and co-curricular experiences.
A Community of Scholars
Small Classes
Randolph classes are full of engagement and interaction. Students get the full attention of their professors and develop camaraderie with their classmates.
The Honor Code
Randolph students live by our Honor Code and act with the highest integrity in both academic and social life.
Intercultural Competence
All Randolph students learn global citizenship with the capability to accurately understand and adapt to cultural differences and find commonality.
Unique Opportunities
An emphasis on “learning by doing” is one reason Randolph students graduate with skills that prepare them for life and work.
Section Title
Randolphus te praeparat ad quam vivam faciendam. Randolphus te ad vitam praeparat.
In Ranulphi Collegio intellegimus viam inter qua incipis et qua finias non semper recta esse. Quam ob rem tibi instrumenta proposita tua inveniendi et consequendi donamus.
Hic, artes liberales habebis educationem diuturnam ingenii sui rigorem celeberrimam in ambitu discendi dynamicam, quae nova visione mandatur. Nostra emphasis globalia te faciet civem informatum mundi, pretiosum communitati vestrae et professioni vestrae.
Small Classes
Randolph classes are full of engagement and interaction. Students get the full attention of their professors and develop camaraderie with their classmates.
The Honor Code
Randolph students live by our Honor Code and act with the highest integrity in both academic and social life.
Research
Randolph College students conduct advanced research projects in their majors with help from the. Center for Student Research. They present their findings at the annual Symposium of Artists and Scholars.Study Abroad
Opportunities for study elsewhere, such as in the Washington Semester Programs at the American University in Washington, D.C., as well as study-abroad programs, are available.
Intercultural Competence
All Randolph students learn global citizenship with the capability to accurately understand and adapt to cultural differences and find commonality.
Internships
Randolph students put classroom learning into practice by participating in internships.
With help from the Career Development Center, political science majors have experienced government at work during internships in the congressional offices, federal and state offices, political campaigns, advocacy groups, social service agencies, and more. ing with social service agencies.
Recent internships include the Department of Veterans Affairs, Moms Demand Action, CASA, U.S. State Department, SAWA, U.S. House of Representatives, and more.
Special Interdisciplinary Curriculum
From your first year through your senior year, you will have opportunities to take courses as part of our honors curriculum.
During your first session of classes, you will take an honors section of Randolph’s first-year seminar, Life More Abundant, with other members of your cohort of honors scholars.
After the first-year seminar, you will take additional courses from across the curriculum that will deepen your learning experience and make meaningful interdisciplinary connections.
Enhanced Faculty Mentorship
You will work closely with faculty advisors and the honors program director to plan a Randolph experience that meets your needs and will help you achieve your goals.
This includes both curricular and co-curricular experiences.
Research
Participation in real world research and creative work is one of the hallmarks of a Randolph College education.
The Center for Student Research helps students at Randolph College engage in meaningful research that enhances their education and their preparation for careers, graduate studies, and other opportunities after college.
They will even help you secure funding.
Randolph’s Innovative Student Experience (RISE) awards up to $2,000 to support research, creative works, and other scholarly activities to students, who may apply at any time to use a grant for projects beginning in their second year.
Summer Research Program
Spend the summer working closely with a professor and focused on a specific aspect of comparative thought.
Randolph’s intensive eight-week Summer Research Program enables students to work with professors on a research of their own design; live in a residence hall on campus, participate in on-campus summer events, attend special seminars with guest speakers; and share the progress and results of their research.
Internships
Randolph students put classroom learning into practice by participating in internships.
Internships at companies in the mechatronics field help to provide not only a firsthand experience of engineering practice, but in many instances lead to full-time jobs upon graduation.
The Career Development Center works closely with industry representatives to provide listings of engineering jobs and internships that connect students to exciting work experiences.
Symposium of Artists and Scholars
Modeled after a traditional academic conference, the SAS brings together students of all disciplines to share the results and highlights of the best work being produced at the College – oral presentations, readings of creative works, performances, exhibitions of student artwork, and poster presentations.
The symposium provides students with valuable experience in public speaking to large audiences and making one-on-one professional presentations experts and decision makers.
Society of Physics Students
The College has an active chapter of the Society for Physics Students, dedicated to celebrating the fun side of science and promoting STEM through community service.
Consistently recognized as one of the most outstanding chapters in the nation by the national organization, recent activities include
- creating imaginative wheelchair halloween costumes for local children,
- building a human-sized hamster wheel and a giant Newton’s cradle,
- organizing the SCIFEST science festival for local schoolchildren, and
- attending conferences of the American Physical Society.
Community Service : SCIFEST
Every year the Society of Physics Students organizes and hosts SciFest, a 3-day science and learning festival for local schoolchildren.
Randolph student and faculty volunteers lead activities, exhibits, labs, and talks designed to get young girls and boys interested in and excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
In addition to science activites for both elementary and preschool students, guests enjoy national guest speakers, a Pi Day fun run, women in science panel, poetry jam, LEGO league, drones and robots, petting zoo, and more.
The free event draws thousands of children and families to campus every year.
Photo Flip
Randolphus Collegium discipulos praeparat ad mundum criticum et creativo confligendum, honeste vivendum et operandum, vitam abundanter experiendam.
Outcomes
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Wanda WildCat ’12, biology major
Mascot and Icon, Randolph College, Lyncbburg, Virginia
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Opportunities
Faculty
Peter Sheldon
Professor of Physics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division Head
Read More... Peter SheldonSiavash Sattar
Assistant Professor of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering
Read More... Siavash SattarJonathan Skelton
Assistant Professor of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering
Read More... Jonathan SkeltonTeresa Angell
Cello Instructor
Leigh Berkeley
Clarinet and Saxophone Instructor
J. Mark Campbell
Trumpet Instructor
Kevin Chiarizzio
Trombone and Low Brass Instructor
Jacob Dishman
Staff Accompanist
Christopher Fosnaugh
Percussion and Drumset Instructor
Kyle Greaney
Clarinet and Saxophone Instructor
Hermina Hendricks
Senior Lecturer in Music
Alycia Hugo
Flute Instructor
Hope Maddox
Costume Shop Supervisor
Nora Moore
Voice Instructor
Kathryn Munson
Adjunct Instructor of Dance
Bill Parrish
Oboe Instructor
Kay Rooney
Violin and Viola Instructor
Rafael Scarfullery
Guitar Instructor
Curtis Smith
Piano and Organ Instructor; College Organist
Current Season
Wildcat Weekend Arts Showcase
September 17, 2022
Fall Music Showcase
October 6, 2022
The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus
by Christopher Marlowe
October 26-30, 2022
Candlelight Concert
December 8, 2022
Performing Arts Cabaret
February 23-25, 2023
Winter Music Showcase
March 4, 2023
A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L’Engle
Adapted by Morgan Gould
May 5-7, 2023
Spring Concert
May 6, 2023
Only at Randolph
Randolph students can take advantage of unique programs which give them a more enriching education than can be found anywhere else.
Two courses per half-mester means you get to focus in and dig deep into your coursework while still having time for the rest of the college experience. Two classes. Seven weeks. Repeat.
Randolph graduates learn to think critically, solve problems and work well with others. They are prepared to succeed in all aspects of life.
Randolph students work with faculty mentors to explore a broad range of disciplines as they chart their academic path.
The Randolph Innovative Student Experience (RISE) program provides every student a $2,000 grant to fund research, creative work, experiential learning or other scholarly pursuits.
Department News
Randolph holds ribbon cutting for new robotics lab
A robotic arm performed the ribbon-cutting honors during a special ceremony.
Read MoreRandolph announces three new undergraduate programs
Cybersecurity, cognitive science, and mechanical engineering will launch next fall.
Read MoreNew faculty Q&A: Jonathan Skelton
Jonathan Skelton has worked in many fields—science and engineering among them—but teaching is his real passion.
Read MoreNew faculty Q&A: Siavash Sattar
Robotics and mechatronics engineering professor Siavash Sattar arrived at Randolph ready to help students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in what he calls a dynamic discipline.
Read MoreRandolph receives Go Virginia funding for new major
When Randolph’s new robotics and mechatronics engineering program launches this coming semester, it will play an important role in Virginia’s economic growth.
Read MoreRandolph holds ribbon cutting for new robotics lab
A robotic arm performed the ribbon-cutting honors during a special ceremony.
Read MoreRandolph announces three new undergraduate programs
Cybersecurity, cognitive science, and mechanical engineering will launch next fall.
Read MoreNew faculty Q&A: Jonathan Skelton
Jonathan Skelton has worked in many fields—science and engineering among them—but teaching is his real passion.
Read MoreNew faculty Q&A: Siavash Sattar
Robotics and mechatronics engineering professor Siavash Sattar arrived at Randolph ready to help students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in what he calls a dynamic discipline.
Read MoreRandolph receives Go Virginia funding for new major
When Randolph’s new robotics and mechatronics engineering program launches this coming semester, it will play an important role in Virginia’s economic growth.
Read More