Filling a Critical Industry Gap
The modern world increasingly depends on systems that bridge the digital and physical—autonomous vehicles, smart infrastructure, environmental monitoring networks. However, most engineering programs treat these domains separately: computer science for the software, mechanical/electrical engineering for the hardware. There is a acute shortage of engineers who can holistically design, integrate, and deploy these systems in the unpredictable conditions of the real world. Our new Master of Science in Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (MSCPSE) with a Mountain Focus is designed specifically to fill this gap, producing engineers who are as comfortable coding a control algorithm as they are sealing a sensor housing against a downpour.
Curriculum Structure: Theory, Integration, and Application
The two-year, 36-credit program is built on three pillars. The Core Theory Pillar provides a deep foundation in real-time systems, sensor fusion, communication protocols for low-connectivity environments, embedded AI, and control theory for non-linear systems. The Systems Integration Pillar is where theory meets practice. Students take hands-on lab courses in mechatronics, where they build robotic actuators; in network deployment, where they configure and hardfield mesh networks; and in edge computing, where they optimize ML models for microcontrollers. The Mountain Applications Pillar consists of specialized courses in geospatial analysis, environmental sensing techniques, and the unique ethics and logistics of remote deployment.
The Capstone Field Project: A Semester in the Mud
The heart of the degree is the two-semester Capstone Field Project. Student teams, often interdisciplinary, are paired with an external partner—a state agency, a nonprofit, or an industry sponsor—to solve a real-world problem. One team might work with the Department of Transportation to design an autonomous inspection system for remote bridges. Another might partner with a conservation group to develop a swarm of drones for tracking an endangered species. The teams are responsible for the full lifecycle: requirements definition, design, prototyping, field testing, iteration, and final delivery. This experience is unparalleled, resulting in a portfolio piece that demonstrates not just knowledge, but proven capability.
Faculty and Resources
Students in the MSCPSE program learn from the Institute's world-class faculty, who are actively leading research in rugged autonomy, decentralized networks, and cyber-physical ecology. They have full access to our state-of-the-art Autonomous Systems Laboratory and Testing Range, our environmental chamber for testing extreme temperatures, and our machine shop for rapid prototyping. The program also includes guest lectures and workshops from engineers and leaders from our partner organizations in mining, defense, telecommunications, and environmental management, providing crucial industry perspective and networking opportunities.
Career Pathways and Outcomes
Graduates of this program are positioned for leadership roles in a rapidly expanding market. They are prime candidates for positions as Robotics Systems Engineers, Field Deployment Specialists, IoT Solutions Architects, and Research Scientists in both the private and public sectors. Employers in resource extraction, aerospace, agriculture, defense, and civil engineering are actively seeking professionals who can deliver robust solutions that work outside the lab. Our graduates don't just understand systems; they understand how systems fail in the real world, and how to design that failure out from the start. They are the new pioneers, building the resilient technological backbone for society's future in an uncertain world.