COMPSCI 603: Robotics

LGRC A104A, Tue/Thur 4:00-5:15 PM, Spring 2026


Overview Schedule Assignments Syllabus



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Last updated: 03/31/2026

Date Topics Lecture Notes
Assignments
Thur. 01/29 Course overview, defining characteristics of a robot [Recording] Course Policy
01. Introduction of Robotics
Prereq Assignment Assigned
Tues. 02/03 History and challenges in robotics, discussion of ROS1 vs ROS2 [Recording Part 1], [Part 2] Notes on ROS1 vs ROS2
Thur. 02/05 Software systems for AI robots [Recording] 02. Robotic Software Systems
(Optional) ROS2 Programming
Project 1 Assigned
Tues. 02/10 ROS programming in Python [Recording]
Thur. 02/12 Overview of robot sensing and actuation systems [Recording] 03. Overview of Robotic Hardware Systems
Tues. 02/17 Robot learning from demonstration [Recording] 04. Robot Learning from Demonstration (LfD)  
Thur. 02/19 *No lecture, Monday class schedule will be followed*  
Tues. 02/24 Overview of decision making and planning [Recording] 05. Robot Reinforcement Learning Project 2 Assigned
Thur. 02/26 Markov decision process, Q-learning, Project 2 discussion (starting at 58:45) [Recording]
Tues. 03/03 Q-learning (cont.), SARSA, challenges of RL for robotics [Recording]
Thur. 03/05 Project 2 discussion [Recording] Project 2 Deliverable 2 Discussion
Tues. 03/10 Biological inspiration for robot learning from demonstration, algorithmic implementation of robot learning from demonstration [Recording]
Thur. 03/12 Overview of robot localization, Bayesian state estimation [Recording] 06. Particle Filter
Tues. 03/17 *Spring recess, no lecture*  
Thur. 03/19 *Spring recess, no lecture*  
Tues. 03/24 Markov localization [Recording]

Thur. 03/26 Motion model [Recording] Project 3 Assigned
Tues. 03/31 Sensor model [Recording]
Thur. 04/02 Particle filter for robot localization
Tues. 04/07 Kalman Filter (KF) 07. Kalman Filter
Thur. 04/09 Extended Kalman Filter (EKF)
Tues. 04/14 Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) overview, EKF-SLAM 08. SLAM
Thur. 04/16 Velocity-based motion model, estimation in EKF for SLAM, discussion of final project Final Group Project Assigned
Tues. 04/21 Correction in EKF for SLAM, pose-graph SLAM
Thur. 04/23 Loop closing, planning with grid occupancy maps
Tues. 04/28 In-class lab session to set up physical robots, led by TA Shauna Choi
Thur. 04/30 Feedback sessions for Project 2 (Wall Following) and Project 3 (Robot Localization), led by TA Shauna Choi, along with robotics lab tours
Tues. 05/05 Final project presentations
Thur. 05/07 Final project presentations, course summary 09. Course Summary

Lecture slides from the Spring 2025 offering can be downloaded here: Compsci603_Lectures_Spring25.tar [32MB].