WVU’s new robotics engineering program is slated to receive a $1 million NASA grant.
Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin separately announced the funding, obtained by them through Congressionally Directed Spending requests and included in the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bill.
The bachelor’s in science program is launching this coming semester, set to begin Aug. 21, within the Statler College Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering.
Capito and Manchin are both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Capito commented, “Robotics is an industry that is experiencing a growing demand for students and an area that WVU has already proven they can excel in. By establishing a robotics engineering program in Morgantown, we can increase opportunities available for students graduating high school, while also providing support to an industry that is capable of improving the lives of West Virginians and Americans all across our country.”
And Manchin said, “NASA continues to be an important partner for the Mountain State through their generous investments in groundbreaking programs and research opportunities. I’m proud to have secured $1 million to support creating a robotics engineering major at my alma mater, further our current robotics research, and increase support for robotics in our elementary and secondary schools.”
The robotics program’s web page says, “Our new Robotics Engineering major builds on more than a decade of WVU robotics success. WVU student teams have earned over 20 placement awards, including nine first-place finishes in high-profile national and international robotics competitions.
“With a WVU robotics engineering degree, you’ll be ready for careers in industries like aerospace, defense, transportation, healthcare and agriculture — as well as positions in government or academia.”
Program courses are hands on and cover fundamentals of robotics systems, mobile robotics, robotic manipulators and autonomy. The four-year program includes a yearlong capstone project.