Possible to shift from "general" engineering to AI(CS) or Robotics (PhD)?

[robot_control]

Hi, I am a prospective PhD student for Fall 2016. I am trying to get into CS PhD programs with AI focus, or into stand alone robotics programs. I would also be OK with ECE programs that have AI/robotics faculty. My dilemma is primarily regarding which major to pick, since different universities have robotics research in different departments.

Research Interests: AI planning, control systems, optimization, and machine learning. I am also interested in multi-agent systems.

Background: "General" Engineering. It's a peculiar program, highly interdisciplinary drawing from multiple fields. The closest to a US program I was able to find is a program at UIUC with the same title. It's a mix between ECE (primary), IE/OR, ME, and some CS (practical) thrown in. Some places might call the same program as "systems engineering".

Courses

• CS (core): Data structures and algorithms, theory of computation
• AI (core): Intro to AI, AI planning, ML, data mining
• Intelligent Systems: adaptive and optimal control, detection and estimation (mostly about Kalman filters, particle filters, EM), data-driven control (neural nets in control, reinforcement learning).
• Math: convex optimization, graph theory, operations research, probability theory (measure theoretic), statistical inference, linear algebra (multiple), numerical methods (multiple)

My dilema: I don't really have the breadth most CS undergrads have, so I am worried about shooting for CS programs, though I feel very well prepared as far as AI goes. Similar is the scenario with ECE programs – I don't have background in power systems, communication or circuits. I have taken a few courses on kinematics, dynamics etc. but still not well prepared for an ME program. Also, I am not too interested in the coursework and research work on the ME side of robotics. I feel my best bet is to apply for stand alone robotics programs, but there appears to be only 2 as per my knowledge – CMU and GATech.

Any advice on how to proceed? I would ideally like to do it in CS, second option would be a stand alone robotics program, and EE afterwards. Are you aware of students with similar background getting into CS programs? Places I am looking at: CMU (RI), Stanford (CS), GATech (robotics), UPenn (GRASP), UMich (CSE).

Misc: I have decent research experience in AI and control, but not in the context of robotics (well, can be considered close to multi-agent robotics FWIW). It may not get published by December though, but I am confident of good LORs since my advisers seem to think it is very good publishable work. My GPA can be considered 3.85-3.95 (my school uses a different scale).

Edited August 29, 2015 by robot_control

[Adamah]

It might be nice to have more CS courses but I doubt it's a deal-breaker for any department. You'll probably have more success with CMU RI and GATech Robotics, but you should still apply to CS programs (you can also apply to CS programs at CMU and GATech in addition to Robotics). I don't think you're in a bad situation, and there's not much you can do to change it now anyway.

[Chai_latte]

We definitely have this in the US.  If you look at liberal arts colleges (e.g. Swarthmore, maybe Smith etc.), that's the only engineering degree offered.  A number of my friends have pursued graduate degrees in engineering (mat sci, civil, electrical/computer...just off the top of my head) at top schools.  The generic engineering degree is not a hindrance for admission; all of these friends went on to top 20 grad programs (half attended top 5s).  You may have to take a couple of additional courses once enrolled. 

ETA: I don't know of anyone who went from general engr to cs, but I do know a person who went to electrical/computer (it's a joint program) at MIT.  Unless you hear otherwise from someone in your field, I would go with the grad program that interests you the most--sounds like that's CS.

Edited August 30, 2015 by Chai_latte

[robot_control]

@Adamah:
My main dilemma is with getting admission, passing quals, and trying to align my research interests at the same time. I now have a choice between CS, ECE, and robotics. I am a bit worried about post PhD outcomes of robotics PhD (CMU RI is obviously on a different level, not so sure about others). Even if I apply to ECE, I would pretty much want to pursue a CS curriculum and work with CS faculty. Not sure how this would fly with the department. As you said, I can't do much now. What do you suggest? Apply to CS, EE, or robotics?

For example, UMich also has a stand alone robotics program. The coursework interests me, and I have decent access to CS faculty. But in terms of prestige, I would consider it much lower than their CS program. Post PhD, I would want to work at places like AI2, Google (self driving cars), PARC etc. Not sure where a robotics PhD from recently established programs would lead me. Any suggestions?

[Adamah]

Can't you just apply to both the Robotics and CS program at the same school? I know CMU allows that. If you don't want to do ECE then I wouldn't bother applying to those programs.

[robot_control]

@Adamah: Thanks for the idea. Though it will work in CMU, GATech, and UMich (and if I get into both, I'll choose CS except at CMU), what about other places? I can't put all my eggs in three baskets right. Stanford CS seems a very long shot (should get into MS though, but not interested) and I'll need to go through the CS program in UPenn too. Can you suggest some places good in AI, but lenient to non-CS applications? Any comments on Cornell, USC, and UMass wrt to AI/robotics? Thanks

[Adamah]

I would just apply everywhere you're interested in. The cost is pretty low.