Robotics BSc(Hons)

In the first year, you’ll learn the foundations of the discipline. You’ll gain a practical introduction to programming and computer technology as well as learning about the various branches of computer science and the pipelines and processes used to create engaging digital products and services. Finally, you’ll explore approaches to physical computing and build your own autonomous robot. 

Modules

Principles of Computing

In this module, you’ll learn the principles of computing, discrete mathematics, statistics and technical communication. Through a series of tasks, you’ll begin to use core computer science concepts, techniques and methods to solve practical problems and leverage algorithms in your solutions. 

You'll also delve into the history of computing, engaging with the plurality of voices in the profession and the controversies evoked by algorithmic bias.   

Digital Creativity

On this module, you will explore digital media formats including text, image and sound.   

You’ll play, tinker, experiment with and extend digital artefacts, transforming what already exists in one form into another form as a means of appropriation. You will then integrate your digital artefacts with digital game technologies, notably game engines, to make them interactive in some way.   

You’ll also consider moral and legal questions surrounding digital creativity, such as plagiarism, intellectual property law, licensing rights, representation and media literacy. 

Development Foundations

On this module, you’ll gain foundational experience of the basic principles, terminology, roles and tools used in the development of digital products and services.

Through several small-scale team projects, you’ll practice a range of prototyping methods and pitch your idea for a future project. These projects will help you to develop your project management skills, while building a professional, inclusive and supportive studio culture. 

Data Fundamentals

In this module, you’ll learn the fundamentals of the data science life cycle. This will include learning how to formulate questions, collect and clean data, explore and visualise data, make statistical inferences and predictions, and report insights in a way that informs decision making.   

You'll also gain an awareness of the responsibilities, obligations and legalities of working with sensitive and personal data, including its collection, storage, analysis, management and transmission.   

Individual Programming Project

In this module, you’ll refine your approach to computer programming by developing an architecturally sound project focused on object-orientated solutions.  

Through this project, you’ll build your confidence with various interfaces that enable interaction within and across different system components. You’ll practice more disciplined software engineering methodologies, develop your mastery of the notations for describing and refactoring system architectures, and apply the mathematics associated with circuit design. 

You’ll also gain a greater awareness of ethical considerations such as safety, accessibility, sustainability and the impact of supply chains.   

Multidisciplinary Teamwork

On this module, you’ll work in multi-skilled teams to make a digital product or service in response to a prompt or brief.

This work will give you the opportunity to increase your knowledge of organising and managing a software development project. Working in a multidisciplinary team will also give you hands-on experience of the full systems development lifecycle and production pipelines in an ‘agile’ context commonly used in professional practice.

By the end of the module, you and your team should have produced and evaluated a modest but functional proof of concept. 

In your second year, you’ll start to focus on your subject specialism. You'll develop your knowledge of embedded systems through simple robot construction, explore the principles of cybernetics and autonomous robotics, and enhance your computational mathematics skills. You’ll also learn the theory and design techniques required to build complex mechanisms to specifications, informed by physics and kinematics, and engage in digital prototyping. 

Modules

Computational Mathematics

You’ll learn key mathematic principles, such as linear algebra, geometry, trigonometry, 3D transformation and calculus that underpins computing. You’ll then apply these principles to your own technical working practices.

You’ll also explore the relationship between computational mathematics and cybersecurity. By exploring security topics such as common threats and attack vectors, cryptography and steganography, certification and malware, you’ll learn to programme defensively.  

Digital Prototyping

You'll develop your 3D CAD skills through the production of digital prototypes using CNC milling and 3D printing technologies. Exploring the evolution of 3D CAD software as a collaborative designing tool for remote teams, you’ll practice new skills working with cloud-based data and simulation technologies. 

Robotics & Cybernetics

In this module, you’ll develop your practical skills in robotics and embedded systems by building a simple robot from a kit of parts using principles from cybernetics and autonomous robotics.

Through the project, you’ll learn advanced electronics theory and design techniques, develop your embedded software programming skills and become able to implement different behaviours based on sensor readings and actuator control.

You’ll also have the opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence is applied in robotics, and examine the role of ethics in self-regulating cybernetic systems.  

Algorithms & Optimisation

Throughout this module, you’ll practice and develop your computing skills with a focus on the design and analysis of algorithms.  

You’ll explore strategies for creating efficient and optimised code; learning to apply methods of profiling and resource management. You’ll also be challenged to consider sustainability as a theme for your optimisations, with attention to maximising the use and/or extending the lifecycle of hardware that is difficult to recycle. 

Robot Design

In this module, you’ll apply critical thinking, creative problem solving, simulation techniques and rapid prototyping methods to an industry-led challenge. You’ll carry out initial research based on the requirements of the brief and propose a potential solution articulated through visualisations created using computer aided design (CAD) and simulation tools.

The proposed solution and specification will be subject to review, prior to fabrication and assembly, after which you will build a robot prototype. This will involve considering the sustainability of materials and supply chains during the fabrication process. You will also need to demonstrate an awareness of the ethics of automated systems with specific reference to their form and function.  

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

In this module, you’ll explore the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques. Considering real-world applications, you’ll conduct a practical research and development project looking to address a specific brief or challenge.  

Through this work, you’ll get a chance to think about the legal, social, ethical, professional and sustainability implications of AI technologies. You’ll also examine how artificial intelligence and machine learning may impact computer technology and your future career aspirations. 

You can choose to take an optional placement year after your second year on a three-year programme, or after your third year if you’re studying for a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year. 

You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the RealWORKS employability team. 

Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. 

How you’ll study during your placement year 

You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. 

You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. 

Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. 

In the final year, you’ll develop greater intellectual freedom. You'll produce an individual Research & Development project under the supervision of a subject-matter expert and work in a multi-skilled team to design and implement a potentially innovative product or service. 

You’ll also enhance your collaborative working skills by tackling “challenge briefs” with students across the university, and learn vital professional practice skills in our Future Skills module. 

Modules

Research & Development: Proposal

In this module, you’ll plan and commence an individual ‘major’ research and development project in computing. You can choose to conduct primary research centred on or supported by a novel computing artefact, or practice-based research with significant technical depth.

The development of your written proposal will include identifying an opportunity, critically reviewing relevant literature, setting a hypothesis and designing a mode of data collection, while considering all ethical implications, as well as prototyping a novel and substantial computing artefact.

Future Skills

Focusing on employability, you’ll develop a commercial awareness and entrepreneurial mindset.  

You’ll explore career options, including researching the skills required to set up your own business, establish yourself as a freelancer, or for use as an employee in a business or organisation. 

You'll also devise a group project proposal around enterprise opportunities. Practical learning will be consolidated through critical reflection as you develop the ability to translate skills for an external challenge-led context. 

Human-Robot Interaction

In this module, you’ll develop your hardware design and software engineering skills with particular attention to usability and interaction quality.

You’ll research the core principles of human-robot interaction, applying them to the design and prototyping of social robots based on systems of microcontrollers, sensors and actuators. You'll then use them to explore different methods of interaction with an audience.  

Research & Development: Dissertation

On this module, you’ll continue your individual ‘major’ research and development project. Building upon the proposal you submitted, you’ll further develop your prototype computing artefact into a potentially deployable solution. In doing so, you’ll deepen your knowledge of software engineering, the use of advanced research tools, technical writing and academic conventions, as well as the interpretation and visualisation of results from statistical analyses of quantitative data. 

Under the supervision of a subject-matter expert, you will: realise a novel and substantial computing artefact; execute your research and development; and critically analyse your results, disseminating your findings through a written academic dissertation. You’ll also present your insights to peers alongside a demonstration of the final computing artefact, referring to the potential impact of your project, any ethical concerns, and potential future work. 

Major Collaboration

In this module, you’ll leverage your experiences from the prior stages of the course to deliver a substantial collaborative project. You’ll work in a multi-skilled team to design and implement a potentially innovative product or service.

Typically, this will be the continuation of your previous project, but it could also be a newly proposed project that satisfies a real need, a response to a market opportunity identified by the University, a live brief from or collaboration with industry partners or research teams, or a solution to a problem presented by an external stakeholder.   

You will continue to put into practice the ethically-informed methodologies you have outlined in previous modules. Contexts can also vary but could include: enterprise solutions; mobile apps; installations; games; web applications; robots; immersive experiences; software development tools; and more. 

Why study an Integrated Foundation Year route? 

If you’re taking on a new subject that you haven’t studied in depth before, have been out of education for a while or have a non-standard educational background then an Integrated Foundation Year degree may be the right choice for you. It is a four-year degree with an Integrated Foundation Year to start, which allows you to explore the primary elements of your subject before progressing on to the remaining three years of the BSc(Hons) degree. 

What you'll study in your Foundation year

If you choose this pathway, you'll study five core modules in your Foundation year. These are all designed to help you explore the foundational elements of your subject. You'll gain relevant technical skills, learn to experiment and take risks, develop an understanding of professional practice, have opportunities to work across disciplines and collaborate with other students on live project briefs. 

Modules

Explore

You'll begin your foundation year by working collaboratively with others to explore themes of the future. You'll take risks, experiment through play and be supported to break through barriers.

Technique

You'll take subject-specific workshops and develop essential technical and practical skills in your area of study. You'll also enhance your analytical and organisational abilities.

Apply

You'll work with your peer group to think beyond discipline by addressing a societal or global issue. You'll then showcase your work to your peers and deliver and accompanying evaluation of your process.

Industry

You'll enhance your creative and practical skills in your subject specialism by responding to typical industry briefs, underpinned by focused research and experiments. You'll also gain industry insights through guest lectures and workshops.

Launch

You'll develop your unique identity in your specialism through the production of a self-initiated body of work. Your final project will be the bridge to your next year, fully supported by evaluative reviews and critical analysis of the work you have created.

After the Foundation year, you progress into Year One of the full three-year degree, equipped with a deeper knowledge of your subject, a clear understanding of your strengths, and develop a practical and technical skillset and the confidence to excel in your chosen subject. 

If you apply for and enrol onto a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year, you’ll have the option to switch onto a five-year version including a placement year. That means you’ll complete the first three years of your course before completing a placement in industry in your fourth year and returning to Falmouth for the fifth year of your programme. 

The Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course is new for entry year 2024 and subject to validation.