If you have a knack for creative problem-solving and are curious about mechanics, robotics, and automated systems, then you might consider earning a mechatronics degree.
As the world moves into the use of more automated systems, mechatronics is a field that is being considered as the foundation of growth in automation and manufacturing.
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Working across multiple disciplines, mechatronics professionals become adept in a range of engineering systems, which may lead to many opportunities in an emerging field.
Online Mechatronics Degrees
A mechatronic engineering degree combines principles of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer design.
Mechatronics specialists can work with both electrical and mechanical engineers in a wide range of industries that manufacture automated equipment and systems. During the course of earning a mechatronics degree, you may be exposed to a variety of engineering elements and principles, such as:
- How to design, build, and maintain electronic and mechanical control systems
- Physical and chemical components and properties of common materials in the industry
- Machine design elements and programmable logic controllers
- Plant automation, statistics, and circuits and their components
A mechatronics degree may involve the use of math such as statistics as well as hands-on mechanical operations. You may also be introduced to aspects of practical physics, such as fluid power and dynamics. You could learn the elements of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-integrated manufacturing as well.
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This broad foundation of engineering principles aims to prepare students to work with and build large and small industrial robots for processes like product manufacturing and prototyping. In addition, students are exposed to control systems that are commonly used in automation systems.
Mechatronics Careers & Salaries
Earning a mechatronics degree may lead to opportunities in a range of industries. Because mechatronics involves electrical and mechanical engineering alongside computer science, mechatronic professionals can have skills from a variety of disciplines.
Mechatronic professionals may design control systems and automation systems for amusement parks, for robotics in industrial manufacturing, or even for cybersecurity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are some potential positions related to the study of mechatronics.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Electronics Engineers | $104,820 |
| Data Scientists | $100,910 |
| Materials Engineers | $98,300 |
| Industrial Engineers | $95,300 |
| Project Management Specialists | $94,500 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,640 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,460 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $60,360 |
| Drafters | $60,290 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,220 |
Mechatronics professionals may also design and manage aviation systems, undersea robotics, and even defense systems or prototypes for the military.
Some of these professionals work as automotive engineers, control systems engineers, data logging engineers, and more.
Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering Curriculum & Courses
While specific curriculums can vary depending on your school, here are common courses you may encounter as a mechatronics major:
- Electric Circuits: This course focuses on introducing you to AC fundamentals, including AC capacitors, signals, inductors, and transformers.
- Semiconductor Devices: This course overviews analog electronic devices and circuits in light of theory and operation, and it discusses amplifiers, diodes, field effect transistors, and more.
- Industrial Applications: This course overviews principles of control circuits, including industrial motion control systems and process control systems as well as hands-on programming and troubleshooting experience.
- Digital Systems: This course introduces you to number systems, logic minimization, Boolean algebra, and laboratory experiments with simulation software.
- Applied Engineering Programming: This course provides an introduction to technical programming with advanced languages, such as SciLAB or MATLAB.
- Programmable Controllers and Robotics: This course overviews advanced control systems and includes exposure to industrial control, statistical process control, and more.
- Motor Drives: This course provides an introduction to motor types and control systems, and it also explores electric motor operation and topics such as motor sizing, schematics, and nameplates.
- Microcontrollers: This course overviews the history of microcontrollers and introduces 8-bit microcontrollers and application projects.
- Materials Science: This course serves as an introduction to the structural, mechanical, and physical properties of various materials, including ceramics, plastics, and metals.
- Hydraulics and Pneumatics Systems: This course overviews the operation and theory of hydraulic and pneumatic devices and their systems.
Several courses may also require lab-based coursework.
Admissions Requirements
While admissions requirements can vary based on the school, here are several common requirements:
- Completed admissions application
- Official high school transcripts
- Official SAT or ACT scores (not required at all schools)
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, on average
Many schools no longer require SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admissions. Many also may or may not require a specified minimum GPA. You can contact your school’s admissions office if you are unsure of what to send with your application.
Accreditation
Determining your school’s accreditation status is a beneficial step to take before applying. This is because accreditation can not only impact your employability after graduating but also your eligibility to receive financial aid.
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Regional accreditation is considered the most widely recognized accreditation. There are only a handful of regional accrediting organizations, and it’s strategic to verify that your school is listed with one of them. You can visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to view these organizations and access a database of accredited schools.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Most students pursuing a mechatronic engineering degree seek financial assistance, and there are several options available for those who qualify.
You might explore scholarship and grant opportunities. Scholarship programs may be offered by schools, public organizations, or private institutions for all types of majors and specific life situations.
Another option is to look into state and federal aid programs. These may provide financial assistance in the form of student loans, grants, and work-study programs. Your eligibility will vary based on your financial situation and state. To apply, you can file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
If you’re employed, you may also be able to seek out employer programs. Some employers will provide financial assistance to employees looking to further their education.
What Is a Mechatronics Engineering Degree?
Mechatronics engineering degrees online are a programs that merge electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science in order to build and manage automated systems and robotics.
This degree path may help prepare students to work with and design large and small industrial robots for a range of industries. Mechatronics majors also learn how to design various types of control systems and automation systems.
Industries where a mechatronics engineering degree may be useful include manufacturing, aviation, defense, mining, and transport.
What Can You Do with a Mechatronics Degree?
Graduates with a mechatronics degree may be able to find positions in many sectors, such as robotics, automotive engineering, product manufacturing, artificial intelligence, aviation, and cybersecurity.
For instance, mechatronics professionals may design and develop advanced automation systems for industrial plants. This can also include designing mechanical and electrical components for use in mining or underwater exploration. Due to the diverse opportunities a mechatronics degree can offer, mechatronics professionals may be found anywhere from laboratories to engineering offices or processing plants.
Related roles include software engineer, automation engineer, electrical engineering technologist, and industrial technician.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Degree in Mechatronics Engineering Online?
If you attend full-time and follow a traditional, 16-week semester, it will generally take 4 years to complete a bachelors degree with full-time study.
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Yet, if you follow an 8-week semester and stay continuously enrolled year-round—which includes summer enrollment—you may be able to finish in less time. Of course, if you attend part-time at any point, this may extend the time it takes to complete a bachelor’s degree.
What’s the Difference Between a Robotics vs. Mechatronics Bachelor’s Degree?
While mechatronics and robotics majors can share some overlap, they do contain differences in their scope.
- Bachelors in Robotics: Robotics is a subset within mechatronics that focuses on the building and operation of automated robots.
- Bachelors in Mechatronics: Mechatronics includes robotics, but it has a wider scope that includes building automation and production systems, the integration of electrical and mechanics systems, and even aspects of computer engineering.
In short, robotics is simply one aspect of mechatronics as a whole. Mechatronics is thought to be the intersection of mechanics, electronics, and computer science.
What’s the Difference Between a Mechatronics vs. Mechanical Engineering Bachelor Degree?
Both a mechanical engineering degree and a mechatronics degree contain similar overlap, but they differ in a few ways.
- Mechatronics Bachelor Degree: A mechatronics engineer degree focuses on the broad design of electro-mechanical devices, from large automated systems to micro instruments and sensors.
- Mechanical Engineering Bachelor Degree: Mechanical engineering focuses on elements of mechanical design, such as manufacturing, mechanics, power, and control.
Both degrees are valuable, but a mechanical engineering degree focuses mainly on mechanical design. Meanwhile, mechatronics encompasses a larger scope, including elements of mechanical, electrical, and computer design.
Is a Mechatronics Degree Worth It?
Yes, a mechatronics degree is worth it for many students. Mechatronics is considered an emerging career path that may grow in demand as the use of automated technology increases.
Mechatronics offers a foundation in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science and design principles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, architecture, and engineering occupations are projected to have 4% job growth over the next ten years.
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Overall, a mechatronics degree may lead to a range of opportunities as industries move toward the use of robotics and automated control systems.
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Mechatronics Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Bismarck State College offers a BAS in Mechatronics Engineering Technology. The program is mostly on campus but does offer some courses online. It offers opportunities to gain hands-on experience working in state-of-the-art labs and chances to build a professional network.
Bismarck State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
East Coast Polytechnic Institute University offers a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Systems Engineering Technology with a concentration in Mechatronics. The degree can be completed 100% online with advanced simulation software used to replicate labs. Potential courses include Electric Circuits I and II, Circuit Analysis, and Semiconductor Devices.
ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Kennesaw State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics Engineering. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning and lab experience and includes internship opportunities. Classes may be taken online or on campus. The program offers an accelerated pathway designed to provide a head start on a graduate degree.
Kennesaw State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Old Dominion University offers an online program for a BSET in Electrical Engineering Technology with a concentration in Mechatronics Systems Technology. This is a degree completion program designed for students who already have some college credits. ODU’s online classes feature regular live meetings and follow the same academic calendar as on-campus classes.
Old Dominion University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Wenatchee Valley College offers a BAS in Engineering Technology. This full-time program consists of a combination of online, face-to-face, and hybrid classes.
Potential courses include Calculus I and II, Mechatronics, Introduction to Engineering Safety, Material Science, Engineering Statics, and Mechanical: Dynamic Systems and Control. The program also requires participation in an internship and the completion of a capstone project.
Wenatchee Valley College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Getting Your Mechatronics Degree Online
If you’re curious about robotics and mechanical and computer design, then you might be interested in earning a bachelors degree in mechatronics.
An online mechatronics degree program, whether it’s an online mechatronics associate degree, a bachelors degree, or a masters degree, may allow you to put your creativity to use in the design of automated and control systems for a range of industries, from manufacturing to undersea exploration.
The diverse skills learned in a mechatronics degree program may also help you enter different engineering fields. The field of mechatronics combines elements from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science.
You could start exploring online mechatronics degrees from accredited schools to find the program that best matches your interests and goals.
