Here you will learn what ROB 590 and ROB 690 are, and find a step-by-step guide to finding a ROB 590 project.
To ensure that the expectations of the 590/690 project are clearly defined and understood by both the student and the advisor the Proposal Form was developed.
The Proposal Form should be submitted by the drop/add deadline of the term in which the student will be registered for ROB 590/690.
Once the student submits the form it will be sent to the advisor and to the graduate chair for their records. The advisor will reply via email to approve or revise and will then tell the student they can register for 590/690.
Looking for current projects? View current ROB 590/690 projects (U-M login required).
ROB 590: Directed Study
A minimum of 3 credits (and a maximum of 6 credits) of ROB 590 is required to fulfill the Robotics MS degree requirements. A ROB 590 directed study project is research supervised by a robotics faculty member (core or affiliate) and the directed study project requirements are up to each individual faculty advisor. You must have your research advisor’s permission (verbal or written) before registering for ROB 590. ROB 590 will be graded S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory).
Important: Do not register for ROB 590 until you have received approval from the faculty member who will serve as your research advisor. Students must obtain verbal or written approval from the supervising professor before enrolling in ROB 590. The ROB 590 Proposal Form may be submitted after that approval, but students should not register for ROB 590 without first confirming that a faculty member has agreed to supervise the research.
Finding a ROB 590 Project
Most students don’t start a ROB 590 in their first semester, even though many would like to. Finding a project takes effort, but no student has failed to graduate because they couldn’t find one. Be persistent and use as many of these resources as you can, starting at the top.
Review current ROB 590/690 projects
Apply to many, including ones you have only some initial interest in. (U-M login required)
Watch the robotics-jobs email
Research opportunities are shared through this list. Respond quickly.
Any student can join by adding themselves to the Robotics Jobs MCommunity group.
Go to the Robotics Lab Faire (November)
Meet research groups in person and learn what labs are working on.
Check approved MDP projects
Some MDP projects are approved for ROB 590 credit each year. See Multidisciplinary Design Program (MDP) below.
Get to know faculty
Many projects start with a conversation. Participate in class, go to office hours, and ask faculty about the work their labs are doing.
Email faculty directly
Show that you know what their research focuses on, describe how your interests and experience align with it, keep it brief, and attach your resume.
If you aren’t selected, ask why
No interview? Ask what in your application or resume made you a less strong candidate. Interviewed but no offer? Ask what in your interview gave the impression you weren’t the best fit. Feedback helps you strengthen your next application.
If you don’t hear back
Faculty receive many emails and may not have time to reply to every one. Don’t take silence personally. A short follow-up is fine, and keep reaching out to others.
ROB 690: Master’s Advanced Research
ROB 690 “Master’s Advanced Research” is faculty-supervised research that culminates in a submitted and graded document. The expectation is that the student will write and submit an original conference style paper based on their advanced research that builds on earlier research completed in six credits of ROB 590. Specific expectations are determined by the research advisor. ROB 690 will be letter graded (not S/U).
The research advisor should email their approval for the student to register for ROB 690 to robotics-sso@umich.edu. After receiving this approval, the Student Services Office (SSO) will email the student with permission to enroll in the course.
There are 2 different registration options for ROB 690:
Option 1:
Term X: register for 3 credits of ROB 590
Term Y: register for 3 credits of ROB 590 AND 3 credits of ROB 690
Option 2:
Term X: 3 credits of ROB 590
Term Y: 3 credits of ROB 590
Term Z: 3 credits of ROB 690
Registration will require an email from the advisor to robotics-sso@umich.edu approving the registration, as well as an electronic permission from the grad office.
Multidisciplinary Design Program (MDP)
Every year the Robotics Graduate Committee reviews all MDP projects and approves some of the projects to count toward ROB 590. The MDP website allows the student to search by projects approved for academic credit. If you are seeking ROB 590 credit for one of the approved MDP projects, approval is required from the Robotics Graduate Committee. Please email robotics-sso@umich.edu to request approval.
Some Robotics faculty are the faculty mentor for MDP projects. For those projects approved for ROB 590 credit for which the faculty mentor is not a member of Robotics faculty, the student should register for ROB 590 in the Robotics Graduate Chair’s section.
Please note effective Winter 2023) if doing MDP, all 4 credits (this includes the 1 credit for ENGR 555) will count towards the maximum of 6 ROB 590 credits that can count toward the MS.