Mechatronics Master’s Degree Prepares Engineers For The Future

Nov 17, 2006 - Southfield, Mich. -- Lawrence Technological University has introduced a new master’s degree program in mechatronic systems engineering, a philosophical approach that cuts across multiple scientific disciplines.

It’s the first degree program in mechatronics in Michigan and one of only a few in the entire country.

Mechatronic systems engineers design enhanced products, systems and manufacturing processes by bringing together knowledge from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science. Students learn new principles for designing mechanical subsystems to satisfy control requirements.

One arena for mechatronics would be the development of electronic stability control (ESC) systems recently proposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for most passenger vehicles by the 2009 model year. When sensors detect a car is in a skid or about to roll over, an ESC system applies the brakes and reduces engine speed, often before the driver is even aware of a problem.

Many universities in Europe and Asia have mechatronics degree programs, and now Lawrence Tech aims to help the United States keep pace.

Vladimir Vantsevich, a professor of mechanical engineering who joined Lawrence Tech in 2001, is leading the two-year master’s degree program that is scheduled at night to accommodate practicing engineers. He had almost 30 years of experience in designing vehicle driveline systems and automatic control of vehicle handling and performance.

Instruction began this month with two graduate-level courses on analytical and adaptive dynamics and modern control systems.

The Lawrence Tech program has benefited from an advisory board of more than 20 engineers and executives who provide the perspective of industry, professional societies and government agencies such as the U.S. Army’s Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) in Warren.

Lawrence Tech is building a mechatronics laboratory with the support of the advisory board. Recent additions have come from KUKA Robotics, a German company with facilities in Clinton Township; software developer dSPACE of Novi; and Texas-based National Instruments, which has a sales office in Livonia.

The new Lawrence Tech master’s degree program is the result of collaboration between the Math/Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering departments, according to Steven Howell, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

“Because Lawrence Tech is agile and its colleges and departments work closely together, it’s easy for us to develop interdisciplinary programs,” Howell said. “At larger universities it’s hard to get electrical engineers and mechanical engineers to collaborate on new multi-disciplinary programs, but it’s not like that here.”

Howell said companies developing and using mechatronic systems have a need for engineers with a background in both electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. That has created a demand for engineers educated in this growing field.

A mechatronics course for undergraduates will be introduced in the spring term, and Howell expects the subject to become a requirement for an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering.

“It has become such an important field that every mechanical engineer should be exposed to it,” he said.

Lawrence Technological University, www.ltu.edu, offers more than 60 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs in Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Management. Founded in 1932, the 5,000-student, private university pioneered evening classes nearly 75 years ago, and today has a growing number of weekend and online programs. Lawrence Tech’s 125-acre campus is in Southfield, with education centers in Livonia, Clinton Township, Traverse City, and Petoskey. Lawrence Tech also offers programs with partner universities in Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia.

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