Robotics-based Curriculum Development for An Immigration Course into Computer Systems Engineering C. N. Thai 1 , J. M. Mativo 2 and G. Clinton 3 University of Georgia 1 Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department 2 Workforce Education, Leadership and Social Foundations Department 3 Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology Department Athens GA 30602-4435 E-mail: thai@engr.uga.edu Web site: http://www.engr.uga.edu/people/thai Abstract - A robotics-based freshman immigration course into Computer Systems Engineering (CSE) was created to introduce students to the main design issues in CSE: multi-controller programming, sensor interfacing, servo actuation and serial communications. The instructional materials were designed around 3 projects: car bot in maze, GERWALK bot penalty kick, and GERWALK bot going up stair steps. Selected descriptive and prescriptive creativity tools were also incorporated into the curriculum to round out student design experience. Mid-term course assessment results are presented in this article. I. INTRODUCTION Starting in Fall 08, the Faculty of Engineering at The University of Georgia is offering a new Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems Engineering with an interdisciplinary perspective: “The Computer Systems Engineering undergraduate program of study covers the range from scientific principles and engineering concepts to the practical application of designing and implementing products and systems requiring hardware-software integration. Graduates from this program will have a critical understanding of computer hardware and software development issues and how to use computers to automate, monitor and control various systems, industrial as well as biological. The job market needs of a computer systems engineering graduate include telecommunications (wired and wireless networks), computer-human interactions (training or role-playing), decision-making (financial and health care industries), and embedded mechatronics (industrial or biomedical), where the engineer is needed to increase the efficiency and overall effectiveness of computing and sensing systems”. (http://www.engineering.uga.edu/academics/Comp_Sys.php ) Recognizing the importance of freshmen engineering courses in affecting students continuing interests and retention ([1],[2],[3]), we opted to create a new 1 semester-credit hour course whereas the students can obtain an overview of the main issues that a Computer Systems Engineer would encounter in his or her work after graduation. We also wanted to showcase selected creative problem-solving approaches and tools used, thus the core instructional materials were designed around 3 robotics projects: 1. The first project involved a pre-made “car-bot” equipped with NIR sensors to help it avoid obstacles using a provided software solution and the student’s task was to extend this solution to allow this car-bot to navigate itself autonomously through a maze (see Fig. 1). 2. The second project involved a GERWALK bot (for a definition of “GERWALK”, please visit this web site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VF-1_Valkyrie ). Essentially, it was a “box” on top of 2 legs allowing bird-like bipedal motion (see Fig. 2). Also starting from a provided software solution, the student’s task was be to extend this software solution to allow the GERWALK bot to kick a ball into a goal guarded by a car-bot controlled by the instructor. CM-5 AX-12+ Figure 2. GERWALK bot kicking a tennis ball. AX-S1 Figure 1. Car-bot traversing a maze.