Problem-Based and Project-Based Robotics Engineering Program: An Integrated Approach

François Michaud; Élise Richard-Bédard; Nicolas Quaegebeur; François Ferland; Audrey Boucher-Genesse; Marc-André Cyr

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Conference: 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Publication Date: June 22, 2025
Start Date: June 22, 2025
End Date: August 15, 2025
Conference Session: Multidisciplinary Engineering Division (MULTI) Technical Session 2
Tagged Division: Multidisciplinary Engineering Division (MULTI)
Page Count: 12
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--57070
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/57070
Download Count: 1

Paper Authors

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François Michaud Universite de Sherbrooke orcid.org/0000-0002-3639-7770

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François Michaud, Ph.D., is an engineer and full professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Université de Sherbrooke, in Québec Canada. He is the founding director of the Bachelor of Robotics Engineering Program (2017 - 2022) at the Université de Sherbrooke, the first and only one in Canada. He is also a co-founder of Robotique FIRST Quebec (2010 - ).

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Élise Richard-Bédard Universite de Sherbrooke

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Élise Richard-Bédard is an engineer and the academic coordinator of the Bachelor of Robotics Engineering program since July 2023. She graduated from the Université de Sherbrooke in electrical engineering (2003-2007). Her role in the Bachelor of Robotics Engineering program is to coordinate activities, support students and coordinate and support continuous improvement actions.

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Nicolas Quaegebeur Universite de Sherbrooke orcid.org/0000-0002-6193-6211

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Professor Nicolas Quaegebeur earned his bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics from ENSTA ParisTech and a master's degree from the ATIAM program (IRCAM, University of Paris & Telecom ParisTech) in 2004, specializing in acoustics, signal processing, and informatics applied to music. He joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Université de Sherbrooke in 2017 as an assistant professor, contributing to the Robotics Engineering Program. Since 2022, he has served as an associate professor and co-director of the program. He teaches courses in signal processing, mathematics, and mechanics, bringing interdisciplinary expertise to the classroom. His research focuses on developing ultrasound-based solutions for biomedical imaging and industrial process control.

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François Ferland Université de Sherbrooke

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François Ferland is an engineer and associate professor in the Departement of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. He has been involved in the Robotics Engineering Program since 2017 and is the co-director of the program since 2023.

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Audrey Boucher-Genesse Universite de Sherbrooke

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Audrey Boucher-Genesse is an engineer and a professional at the Faculty of Engineering at the Université de Sherbrooke. She studied in Electrical Engineering (2002-2006), worked in industrial robotics at AV&R, then worked actively at the creation of the Robotics Engineering Program until 2023. She is now involved in Major Capstone Design Projects, which involve 4 programs, including Robotics Engineering.

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Marc-André Cyr Universite de Sherbrooke

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Marc-André Cyr, P. Eng., works as a lab coordinator and continuous improvement of the Robotics Engineering Program.

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Abstract

Robotics engineering (RE) is an interdisciplinary field that integrates competencies from the mechanical engineering (ME), electrical engineering (EE) and computer engineering (CE) disciplines. Industry is seeking engineers capable of simultaneously considering the mechanics, electronics, and computing aspects of robotics or system design. Also, robotics is widely used in activities at the elementary and secondary school levels, and students aiming to pursue a career in robotics are interested in receiving training in all three aspects and their integration, rather than being limited to choosing just one.

Robotics can be incorporated in engineering curricula through dedicated courses or capstone projects. To make it a specific engineering program, courses from the ME, EE, and CE disciplines can serve as the foundation on which robotics and integration skills can be developed. Problem-based and Project-based Learning (PPL) has been implemented since 2001 in the EE and CE at our university. We saw an opportunity to use this teaching method to address the integration challenges and skill development in robotics.

Our RE program is designed to train engineers with a focus on two specific professional situations: 1) be able to design robotic systems integrating mechanical, electrical, and computing components for a given application context; 2) manage robotics projects involving multidisciplinary teams. The program is an 8-semester co-op curriculum with ME, EE, CE, and robotics activities every semester. A semester consists of a series of problem-based courses that address disciplinary knowledge in mechanical, electrical, computing, and robotics fields. The first six semesters cover the common core for all RE students, with a special arrangement in the first year for those with technical backgrounds. The final two semesters focus on specialization in areas related to ME, EE and CE. Each semester addresses a specific theme in robotics, showcased through a semester-long design project undertaken by teams of six to eight students. The robotic design projects in the first four semesters help students develop project and team management skills while applying their disciplinary knowledge to robotic applications. The last four semesters involve open-ended design projects conducted by multidisciplinary teams with ME, EE, CE, or Business students.

Initiated in Fall 2017 and accredited since 2021, our PPL-RE program is graduating its fourth cohort in December 2024. This paper outlines the structure of our RE program, explains the PPL teaching approach, and provide an overview of the new robotic courses developed specifically for the program. It also presents both quantitative and qualitative assessments, such as the number of applicants, retention rate, and feedback from students, alumni, and employers.

Citation
Format

Michaud, F., & Richard-Bédard, É., & Quaegebeur, N., & Ferland, F., & Boucher-Genesse, A., & Cyr, M. (2025, June), Problem-Based and Project-Based Robotics Engineering Program: An Integrated Approach Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . 10.18260/1-2--57070

TY - CPAPER
AB - Robotics engineering (RE) is an interdisciplinary field that integrates competencies from the mechanical engineering (ME), electrical engineering (EE) and computer engineering (CE) disciplines. Industry is seeking engineers capable of simultaneously considering the mechanics, electronics, and computing aspects of robotics or system design. Also, robotics is widely used in activities at the elementary and secondary school levels, and students aiming to pursue a career in robotics are interested in receiving training in all three aspects and their integration, rather than being limited to choosing just one.

Robotics can be incorporated in engineering curricula through dedicated courses or capstone projects. To make it a specific engineering program, courses from the ME, EE, and CE disciplines can serve as the foundation on which robotics and integration skills can be developed. Problem-based and Project-based Learning (PPL) has been implemented since 2001 in the EE and CE at our university. We saw an opportunity to use this teaching method to address the integration challenges and skill development in robotics.

Our RE program is designed to train engineers with a focus on two specific professional situations: 1) be able to design robotic systems integrating mechanical, electrical, and computing components for a given application context; 2) manage robotics projects involving multidisciplinary teams. The program is an 8-semester co-op curriculum with ME, EE, CE, and robotics activities every semester. A semester consists of a series of problem-based courses that address disciplinary knowledge in mechanical, electrical, computing, and robotics fields. The first six semesters cover the common core for all RE students, with a special arrangement in the first year for those with technical backgrounds. The final two semesters focus on specialization in areas related to ME, EE and CE. Each semester addresses a specific theme in robotics, showcased through a semester-long design project undertaken by teams of six to eight students. The robotic design projects in the first four semesters help students develop project and team management skills while applying their disciplinary knowledge to robotic applications. The last four semesters involve open-ended design projects conducted by multidisciplinary teams with ME, EE, CE, or Business students.

Initiated in Fall 2017 and accredited since 2021, our PPL-RE program is graduating its fourth cohort in December 2024. This paper outlines the structure of our RE program, explains the PPL teaching approach, and provide an overview of the new robotic courses developed specifically for the program. It also presents both quantitative and qualitative assessments, such as the number of applicants, retention rate, and feedback from students, alumni, and employers.

AU - François Michaud
AU - Élise Richard-Bédard
AU - Nicolas Quaegebeur
AU - François Ferland
AU - Audrey Boucher-Genesse
AU - Marc-André Cyr
CY - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DA - 2025/06/22
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Problem-Based and Project-Based Robotics Engineering Program: An Integrated Approach
UR - https://peer.asee.org/57070
DO - 10.18260/1-2--57070
ER -