Montreal, Quebec, Canada
June 22, 2025
June 22, 2025
August 15, 2025
Multidisciplinary Engineering Division (MULTI) Technical Session 8
Multidisciplinary Engineering Division (MULTI)
16
10.18260/1-2--57304
https://peer.asee.org/57304
7
Resha Tejpaul is a seasoned clinical research professional and a current MBA candidate at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota. With over a decade of experience in academic medicine and health sciences, she currently serves as a Research Professional at the University’s Robotics Institute, focusing on clinical trial coordination, IRB compliance, and patient recruitment in urology and digital health research. Resha holds a B.A. in Physiology and Biochemistry with a minor in Pharmacology, as well as a Post-Baccalaureate in Pre-Health. She is a co-author on numerous peer-reviewed publications and actively supports community health initiatives, including kidney cancer awareness and mental health advocacy.
Nikolaos P. Papanikolopoulos received the Diploma degree in electrical and computer engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece, in 1987 and the M.S.E.E. and the Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA in 1987 and 1992, respectively. He is currently the McKnight Presidential Endowed Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota and the director of the Minnesota Robotics Institute. His research interests include robotics, computer vision, sensors for transportation applications, and control. He is an IEEE Fellow and author or co-author of more than 400 publications.
The Minnesota Robotic Institute at the University of Minnesota Master’s program in Robotics located in the United States prepares students for professional careers focused on research and innovation within both academic and industrial sectors. The curriculum prioritizes applied learning methodologies through research initiatives and problem-solving exercises, thereby enabling students to customize elective courses in accordance with their personal interests. Each participant is required to complete either a capstone project or a research thesis. The program, which spans three semesters, commences with rigorous coursework and culminates in a comprehensive final project. Students opting for a thesis engage in advanced research endeavors, while those fulfilling the capstone requirements exercise considerable autonomy in the design and dissemination of their projects. The increasing attraction of this experiential, student-centered model has resulted in a rise in enrollment, thereby presenting challenges in maintaining personalized faculty oversight. In response to these developments, the program has investigated the application of various Generative AI (GenAI) tools to enhance student learning experiences. This study analyzes survey responses collected from 19 Master of Science students in robotics program, elucidating the prevalent use of Generative AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, for tasks involving coding and writing. Additionally, it highlights significant ethical considerations, including the spread of misinformation and the lack of established usage guidelines. Many of the respondents support the incorporation of Generative AI into the curriculum, provided that clear limitations are set. They emphasize the need for formal training and updates to the academic curriculum to effectively leverage the benefits of such technologies while minimizing associated risks.
Tejpaul, R., & Henderson, T., & Kennedy, N., & Papanikolopoulos, N. (2025, June), Using Generative AI to Improve the Research Experience of MS Students in Robotics Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . 10.18260/1-2--57304
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