Dr. Wei Min Shen

Associate Professor

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Biography

Wei-Min Shen is an Associate Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science at the University of Southern California. He directs the Polymorphic Robotics Laboratory and serves as Associate Director of the Center for Robotics and Embedded Systems. Dr. Shen earned his Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University under Nobel Laureate Professor Herbert Simon and co-advisor Professor Jaime Carbonell. His doctoral thesis focused on an Autonomous Learning Environment based on percepts and actions. With over 25 years of research experience, his interests include self-reconfigurable metamorphic systems, autonomous robots, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and applications in Life Sciences. Shen has published 100 papers and authored the book 'Autonomous Learning Environment.' He has received several prestigious awards, including a Silver Medal at the AAAI Robotics Competition and recognition from Phi Kappa Phi. His research has been featured in leading scientific journals and various media outlets.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

— Present

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

Research and teaching responsibilities within the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science.

Awards

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World-class Expert Reviewer

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USC Rose Hills Foundation Summer Science Engineering Fellowship

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Robotics Paper Award

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Championship Award

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Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Recognition Award

Patents

Self-Reconfigurable Systems

US Patent #006636781

Innovative approach for biologically inspired distributed decentralized control in robotic systems.

N/A

Requirements for University of Southern California

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
GRE General
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Math, or Hard Science
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Letters of Recommendation (not required for MS CS, but allowed)
Specialization Notes

GRE is NOT required for Master's applicants for 2025-2026.