Why pursue a Collaborative Specialization in Robotics at UofT?
Robotics is a fast-changing, highly interdisciplinary field. UofT’s Collaborative Specialization in Robotics brings together research stream graduate students from engineering, computer science and medicine who are advancing the state of the art in robotics across healthcare, mobility, and advanced manufacturing applications.
The program complements a student’s research thesis and coursework with a seminar-style course, events, and professional development skills, and provides a common designation for all research-stream graduate students in robotics at the University.
Who it’s for
The Collaborative Specialization in Robotics is open to any research stream graduate trainee who is supervised by a Robotics Institute Faculty Member and is undertaking a robotics-focused thesis. You are eligible to participate in the Collaborative Specialization in Robotics if you:
You are already admitted to a participating research-stream master’s degree program or PhD program at UofT. Participating degree programs include:
- Aerospace Science and Engineering — MASc, PhD
- Biomedical Engineering — MASc, PhD
- Computer Science — MSc, PhD
- Electrical and Computer Engineering — MASc, PhD
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering — MASc, PhD
- Rehabilitation Science — MSc, PhD
- You are supervised by a Faculty Member of the Robotics Institute.
- You are undertaking a thesis where the robotics connection is clear and tangible.
You are NOT eligible to participate in the Collaborative Specialization in Robotics if:
- You are not already enrolled at UofT in one of the participating degree programs listed above.
- You have already completed UofT’s Collaborative Specialization in Robotics at the master’s level and are currently enrolled in a PhD program.
Not yet a student at UofT?
You must already be enrolled in a MASc or MEng or PhD program at one of our qualifying Departments or Institutes at UofT in order to be eligible for the Graduate Emphasis in Robotics.
If you are not yet a graduate student at UofT, check out the admissions pages of our partner departments!
Currently doing your MEng at UofT?
If you are doing your MEng you are not eligible to participate in the Collaborative Specialization.
The good news is that you are eligible for the Graduate Emphasis in Robotics! Don’t forget to apply before you graduate!
Program Requirements
- Complete your thesis in the area of robotics
- Complete one half course (0.5 FCE) from the following list.
- Complete eight seminars in ROB1830Y, the Robotics Seminar Series (0.0 FCE, Credit/No Credit) in addition to your home program requirements. ROB1830Y is a “continuous course”, meaning that you can remain registered in the course across multiple years until you meet the course requirements (i.e. you need not take eight seminars in one academic year).
- Meet the degree requirements of the School of Graduate Studies, and your participating home graduate program.
Group 1: Planning and Control
Pre-approved Group 1 substitutions
Group 2: Perception and Learning
Pre-approved Group 2 substitutions
Group 3: Modelling and Dynamics
Pre-approved Group 3 substitutions
Group 4: Systems Design and Integration
Pre-approved Group 4 substitutions
Not all courses will be offered each year.
Recognition
Students who complete the program will receive the notation “Completed Collaborative Specialization in Robotics” on their transcript.

How to Complete the Collaborative Specialization
- Register your intent to pursue the Collaborative Specialization.
- Once your form is processed, you’ll be registered for the seminar course ROB1830Y on Acorn by either Sept 10, Jan 10, or May 1st.
- Keep a record of your seminar attendance throughout your degree by capturing:
- Name of seminar speaker, title of talk
- Date you participated or watched the seminar. Note: Your seminar attendance will be verified. you can remain registered in the course across multiple years until you meet the course requirements (i.e. you need not take eight seminars in one academic year).
When you have met the requirements of the collaborative specialization (ie.completed your thesis and the seminar course requirements), fill out the Collaborative Specialization Completion Form.
Deadlines
- Declare your intent to pursue the Collaborative Specialization in Robotics forms are processed three times a year, and the deadlines are: Sept 5, Jan 5, April 25
- If the Intent to Declare form is properly filled out, students will be automatically registered for the Seminar Course ROB1830Y on Acorn (on Sept 10, Jan 10, and May 1)
Submit the Intent to Pursue Form by
September 5
January 5
April 25
Submit the Completion Form By
December 10
For November Convocation
May 10
For March Convocation (in absentia)
August 1
For June Convocation