In a few years, our human senses to "see, hear, touch, smell and taste" and our ability to rearrange our environment will be supplemented with sensors and actuators that collect information, and communicate with one another. These devices will be rigidly managed by a control algorithm that will analyze voluminous data and perform appropriate actions to achieve a mission. At the foundation of an “Internet of Things” infrastructure are the microelectronic circuits that perform data acquisition, signal processing, and communications within the device. These are performed by integrated circuits and microcontrollers that are incorporated within the device, commonly referred to as "embedded systems."

With the rapid pace of growth in IoT products and applications, there is a pressing need in industry and government for engineers with special skills in hardware and software design who are well-versed with both analog and digital electronics and information systems. The new Bachelor of Science in Embedded Systems and Internet of Things (ESIOT), to be offered at the Universities at Shady Grove, will address this demand. The program will train future engineers who are cognizant of the latest trends in circuits and hardware-oriented software who are capable of immediate contribution to the private and public sector institutions in which they will work.