Syllabus — Fall 2025
Course: ENME480 — Intro to Robotics
Credits: 3
Dates: Sep 2, 2025 – Dec 12, 2025
Professor: Dr. Nikhil Chopra — nchopra@umd.edu
Office Hours: Wed 10–11:30, 2149 Martin Hall — Zoom link
Teaching Assistants: Alex Beyer (abeyer@umd.edu), Kaustubh Joshi (kjoshi@umd.edu)
TA Office Hours: TBD
Canvas (ELMS): http://www.elms.umd.edu/
Piazza (official Q&A): http://piazza.com/umd/fall2025/enme480
Lab GitHub org: https://github.com/ENME480
Course Description
This course introduces elementary concepts in robotics with integrated theory and lab components. Labs emphasize interdisciplinary teamwork, developing and testing code on UR3e robotic arms across programming studios and hands-on lab sections.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply mathematics, science, and engineering to robotics problems
- Analyze and interpret experimental data
- Use robot geometry for kinematics analysis
- Apply robot dynamics for planning and control
Required Resources
- Course website: ELMS-Canvas
- Textbook: Robot Modeling and Control (2e), Spong, Hutchinson, Vidyasagar, 2020, ISBN 978-1119523994
- Hardware/Software: Laptop capable of running ROS 2 (setup guided in labs)
Course Structure
- Lectures & in-class assignments: Short comprehension questions (extra credit) may be assigned after lectures.
- Studios & Labs: Run by TAs in KEB 2111 (programming) and EAF 3119 (Robotics & Autonomy Lab). Safety seminar + online training required before using robots.
- Homework: Posted Fridays 11:59 pm; due one week later via Canvas. Extensions via Piazza only (solutions release soon after deadlines).
- Exams: Two midterms (see Schedule). One page of notes (front/back) permitted.
- Final Project: Vision-enabled pick-and-place with UR3e: locate blocks, grasp, and build a tower. Group project with write-up and video.
Major Assignments & Weighting
| Component | % |
|---|---|
| Homework | 20% |
| Studio/Lab Assignments | 20% |
| Midterm 1 | 20% |
| Midterm 2 | 20% |
| Final Project | 20% |
| Extra Credit: In-class assignments | Up to 5% |
Final grade cutoffs: A+: 97, A: 94, A-: 90; B+: 87, B: 84, B-: 80; C+: 77, C: 74, C-: 70; D+: 67, D: 64, D-: 60; F: < 60.
Communication & Participation
- Piazza is official for course questions; Canvas hosts materials/announcements.
- Professional, inclusive discussion is expected in all channels and sessions.
- Attendance and on-time arrival for studios/labs are essential; coordinate via Piazza if you must miss your assigned session.
Policies (Summary)
- Academic Integrity: The University’s Code applies; collaboration on graded work is prohibited unless stated. Unauthorized use of course-assistance sites or AI-generated solutions is not permitted. Pledge required on each assignment/exam.
- AI Usage (Course-specific): Brainstorming/review OK; final work must be your own. Do not run AI-generated code on physical robots.
- Accessibility & Accommodations: See ADS; contact instructor promptly for arrangements.
- Campus resources: Emergency Preparedness, Basic Needs, Veteran Resources, Title IX, Course Evaluation—see Policies page.