Many automation programs are created with the goal of introducing students to the engineering and technical principles necessary to design autonomous systems. For example, students might expect to become familiar with mechanical product design or the application of mechatronics technology.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.