AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The University of Texas at Austin has introduced a new honors program, believed by the school to be the first of its kind.
UT said in a press release Thursday that it introduced what is "believed to be the first undergraduate robotics program in the country that allows high school students to apply directly as part of their freshman admissions application."
It's an honors program with an "immersive and interdisciplinary curriculum" that includes hands-on research, engineering and computer science coursework, and participation in UT's Texas Robotics' events and programs, according to the release.
Students entering the program will have full access to world-class robotics facilities and a specialized adviser to help with course registration, according to the release. They'll also collaborate in a cohort of peers studying robotics and gain entrance to organizations, clubs and access to Texas Robotics events.
UT's release said the program’s experiential learning will "strengthen access to internships and better position students for future employment or graduate school." The release said these types of opportunities are usually not available outside of master’s programs.
Robotics honors students will apply to and pursue degrees in aerospace engineering, electrical and computer engineering, computational engineering, computer science or mechanical engineering, and they will also earn a minor in robotics. They'll also join a specialized track within the Freshman Research Initiative, which UT said is the largest university undergraduate research program in the nation.
“The University of Texas is already recognized for its leadership and expertise in robotics and artificial intelligence, and by pairing these disciplines with our top-10 programs in engineering and computer science, we are creating a first-class, unique educational and experiential program for students seeking to enter this exciting and evolving field,” said UT President Jay Hartzell.
Students can apply for the program through the Common App or Apply Texas. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1.
In addition to the application requirements for majors in aerospace engineering, electrical and computer engineering, computational engineering, computer science or mechanical engineering, students will also be required to submit an additional short-answer essay about their interest in the program.
Those interested in the program can find more information online.
