A mechatronics minor program embedding design via a multidisciplinary international virtual design studio

This paper introduces the trend in mechatronics education at the Engineering Faculty of the Middle East Technical University (METU), which will be initiated as a Mechatronics Minor Program in Fall 1999. It has its foundations based on a multi-disciplinary International Virtual Design Studio (MIVDS) course as a capstone design senior project, which is in progress since 1996. The motivation behind this trend is the strong preferences put by the industries towards engineers having a basic knowledge on mechatronic design techniques and design elements such as sensors, actuators and microprocessors. Engineering Faculty of the Middle East Technical University is planning to achieve this new profile of engineers by introducing the interdisciplinary mechatronics minor program. The working philosophy of this effort is that the mechatronics material will be integrated initially into the existing disciplinary programs of Mechanical, Electrical, Computer and Aeronautical Engineering Departments. Students who have successfully completed the program will be given a certificate of mechatronics in addition to their disciplinary degrees.