Elec VS Mecha for robots (pls help, gotta decide to confirm coop offer) (1 Viewer)

[Daedalus]

I want to do Mechatronics Engineering because I want to build and work with robots, which I think that in the future there will be a huge demand for it. Just like ppl rode the wave of the computer age, I want to ride the wave of the robotic age.

Unfortunately, I only got shortlisted for Mechatronic Eng in UNSW. However, I did get AN OFFER for Electrical Engineering. The Elec guys I talked to said that Electrical would still allow me to work with robots, but since they arent really concerned with the mechanical part, it does not concern the building of the robots as much as the controlling.

I live in Wollongong, and due to financial reasons, I prefer to go to UNSW only on a scholarship.

My questions are:

1. Should I just take the Electrical Engineering COOP? Why? A friend said Electrical is more general so its easier for getting a job, but my reasoning is, since the subjects are very diff, and Mechatronics specializes in robots, wouldnt an employer that deals with robots rather a Mechatronic engineer than an electrical one?

2. Does the uni I go to matter for Mechatronic Engineering? Compare UOW (Wollongong) VS UNSW in the context of employer perspective both in AUS and internationally. i.e would I be disadvantaged in ANY way if I go to UOW?

3. In terms of prestige, is going to UOW on the Engineering Scholars program (UAI 93) more prestigious than going to UNSW without a scholarship for Mechatronic engineering (UAI 79 or 80)?

edit: BTW Still awaiting results for malcolm chaikin

 

[anti]

I'd say Mechatronics for robots. AFAIK elec is more to do with circuits and controls and that, although.. I don't know.

The only two unis I would consider for engineering are USYD and UNSW.

The UAI doesn't really indicate prestige as such, more the people who believe it's a good course. And people often change courses.

Malcolm Chaikin is Sci, isn't it? Or is it Sci / Eng?

 

[Daedalus]

uow's eng faculty is in the GO8

malcolm chaikin is for engineering as well

is heard the unsw mechatronics program is >50% mechanical, and a very small part electrical. is this true?

is it better to specialise or be more broad?

 

[sunny]

To really get into it, you can compare the courses you would do:

Electrical Engineering
Mechatronic Engineering (this will tell you to go here instead)

You might want to check though, since the co op EE program might differ slightly from the normal EE program.

 

[anti]

My sister does mech, and apparently all her elec subjects are pretty boring. But I can't speak first hand, obviously.

 

[Daedalus]

Originally posted by anti
My sister does mech, and apparently all her elec subjects are pretty boring. But I can't speak first hand, obviously.

but then wouldnt pure elec be even more boring?

 

[sunny]

Theres lots of things that can make something 'boring'

Whether you like the subjects, lecturers, the seats you get in the lecture room, the other people around you....etc etc etc.

Right now you should make your choice based on what you want.

 

[Daedalus]

well i wnat to work with robots

 

[wogboy]

but then wouldnt pure elec be even more boring?

Far from it, elec isn't boring at all!! (well in my biased opinion anyway ), especially if you're interested in electronic circuits and electrical systems.

Depends on what exactly your interests are. Which part of making robots are you most interested in:

a) The circuitry that controls the robot (e.g. design & program the microcontrollers for the "brain" and the electric circuits to control other parts, designing the appropriate motors, sensors, & actuators for the robot, wiring, magnetic shielding, radio controls, power supply etc);

b) Or would you rather focus on the physical attributes of the robot (e.g. design the body of the robot, taking into account which material to use in the given environment, the thermodynamics and heat flow in the robot, designing the gears, levers, pulleys and other moving stuff etc.)

a) -> electrical eng.
b) -> mechanical/mechatronic eng.

With elec eng, in the later years, you can specialise in a few different areas by choosing electives. For robotics the most suitable electives to specialise in would be: Control & Electrical Drives.

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/programs/courses/3640.html

Personally, my advice is to take up your coop offer for EE, but of course it's up to you.

 

[Daedalus]

how bout mechatronics? what do u think about it?

 

[wogboy]

Not sure about mechatronic engineering, but it seems to be alot like mechanical engineering, with just a couple of elec subjects. If that's wat you're interested in (mostly mechanical stuff) then go for it.

http://www.mech.unsw.edu.au/mech/undergraduate/plans/basic mtrn.pdf

 

[Daedalus]

i know, i guess thats y uow's mechatronic eng, which is 50% mecha and 50% elec is appealing

 

[Bannanafish]

are you going to do a postgrad in robotics? if so, where?

 

[Daedalus]

i havnt even started undergrad, so ill think about that later

 

[tooheyz]

mechatronics is electrical, mechanical n computer systems integrated to make intelligent systems

robotics itself is a major in the course isnt it?

so i was told by my careers advisor..

im considering mechatronics as well... but as usyd.

 

[asdf]

Originally posted by wogboy

a) The circuitry that controls the robot (e.g. design & program the microcontrollers for the "brain" and the electric circuits to control other parts, designing the appropriate motors, sensors, & actuators for the robot, wiring, magnetic shielding, radio controls, power supply etc);

b) Or would you rather focus on the physical attributes of the robot (e.g. design the body of the robot, taking into account which material to use in the given environment, the thermodynamics and heat flow in the robot, designing the gears, levers, pulleys and other moving stuff etc.)

a) -> electrical eng.
b) -> mechanical/mechatronic eng.

Where do you think a computer engineer would fit in the robot designing stage? Wouldn't it be the 'brain'? ie the processor part of the robot that coontrols the body? Im really not sure what to do, elec, or comp. eng.

BTW wogboy, which uni do u go to?
edit: never mind, UNSW.

 

[vv1234]

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