Minor in Mechatronics Engineering

The Minor in Mechatronics Engineering at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is an 18-credit undergraduate minor designed to introduce engineering students to the interdisciplinary world of mechatronics, combining mechanical, electrical, and computing principles. It suits students majoring in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering who want additional skills in automation, control systems, embedded design, and intelligent machine solutions. 

Curriculum structure

Because this is a minor, the structure is integrated with a student’s major (Electrical or Mechanical Engineering) rather than delivered as a standalone full degree. Still, the coursework is carefully chosen to give a coherent mechatronics experience over the later years of study:

Year 1–2 (Preparation):
Although the minor typically begins in the second or third year, students first establish strong engineering foundations in their major with courses such as Dynamics, Electrical Circuits, and Digital Logic Design that prepare them to think about systems and signals. These early engineering modules ensure students have the necessary grasp of mechanical motion, electrical behavior, logic processing, and engineering mathematics before tackling integrated systems. 

Year 3 (Core Mechatronics Integration):
Once eligible for the minor, students take core mechatronics courses such as Control Systems and Dynamics (for electrical majors) or Introduction to Mechatronics and Digital Logic Design (for mechanical majors), where they learn how to model and control dynamic systems and design electromechanical solutions. These modules link fundamental physics and mathematics to real system behavior — for example, how sensor input, actuation, and feedback loops create controlled motion in intelligent devices. 

Year 4 (Advanced Topics and Electives):
In the final stage of the minor, students select elective modules that deepen their applied expertise such as Advanced Control Systems, Industrial Automation, Embedded System Design, Design of Mechatronics Systems, or Introduction to Robotics. These electives emphasise real-world problem solving: students learn programming for embedded controllers, study automation workflows typical of smart factories, and gain hands-on experience in designing and testing mechatronic components. 

Focus areas (in a string):
Fundamentals of mechatronics, control systems, embedded system design, dynamics and mechanical motion, electrical circuits, industrial automation, robotics basics, design of intelligent electromechanical systems. 

Learning outcomes (in a string):
Understand and apply principles of mechatronic system operation and design; solve engineering kinematics, kinetics, and vibration problems; gain programming and logic skills; integrate electronics, mechanics, and control to develop automated solutions; and communicate multidisciplinary engineering concepts. 

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The minor is offered within the College of Engineering and aligns with UAEU’s accredited engineering programs, meeting national academic quality standards for engineering education as recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education’s Commission for Academic Accreditation. (Standard for all UAEU engineering offerings.)

Reputation (employability rankings):
United Arab Emirates University is ranked among the top universities in the UAE and the broader Arab region, often featuring in global university rankings such as QS, which supports graduate recognition and employability in engineering and technology fields. (General UAEU ranking context.)