WCC President Will Austin said the program ensures students master complex, interdependent facets of modern technology. He said he’s witnessing so many industries off-shooting as a result of drone and AI learning, he felt the program needed to grow its ability to accommodate the growing needs.
“Everyone should be receiving, at least, some training in one of these new systems,” he said.
The Applied Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Associate of Science degree program integrates robotics, mechatronics, automation, manufacturing, and AI into a 60-credit program. Some classes are already in session. Individuals considering admission to the program are encouraged to consider applying for the fall of next year.
The curriculum includes courses in Introduction to Industrial Control Systems and Introduction to Applied AI and Machine Learning. College officials said the program was developed with input from industry employers to prepare graduates for positions such as robotics programmer and control systems technician.
“This program provides students with a practical yet expansive education in these critical new fields, preparing them to immediately enter one of the many positions where this unique skill set is needed,” he said.
The degree was designed to address a gap in regional education and meets current employer needs.
The college structured the program to accommodate various student populations. All in-person courses are offered during evening hours for working students, and no previous technical knowledge is required for enrollment.
Students will participate in hands-on, project-based learning with lab exercises in every session. The college’s facilities include the Advanced Robotics Development Lab , Advanced Manufacturing Lab , and Electronics Development Lab . The degree also provides a foundation for students who want to pursue engineering studies at four-year institutions.
“We built this program from the ground up with a clear goal: to put our students at the absolute forefront of employer demand,” said Sai Sankar , WCC’s director of Advanced Robotics/AI Research & Development . “Whether you are starting fresh or tooling up for a new chapter, this degree allows you to get those cutting-edge skills in robotics, AI, and control systems that companies are desperately seeking right now.”
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