Do Mechatronics Degrees Make Sense?

I have wondered how many colleges and universities offer programs that lead to a Bachelor's of Science degree in mechatronics. The HotcoursesUSA Website identified 12 colleges, but I suspect the list should include more, because colleges might not update their information frequently.

The degree programs include one at the University of Pennsylvania, which adds a couple of mechatronics classes to a standard mechanical-engineering curriculum and calls its program Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics - Mechatronics. At the other end of the academic spectrum, the University of North Carolina at Asheville offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering - Mechatronics. The latter program includes a mix of mechanical-, electrical-, and computer-engineering courses. (Why the curriculum includes a Java algorithms course beats me. Does anyone program mechatronics systems in Java?)

At present, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) does not list an accreditation for a mechatronics degree-granting program, although it does list mechanical and electrical engineering as well as engineering mechanics.

My first question, which I invite you to discuss below, is: If you have an interest in mechatronics, does a degree in mechatronics make sense, or would a degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in electrical engineering, or vice versa make more sense?

Second question: Given that colleges will create mechatronics degree programs, what courses would you mandate to satisfy requirements for an engineer with a solid academic exposure to mechatronics? In my opinion, a traditional engineering syllabus could use electives, such as a course on sensors, transducers, and signal conditioning, a course on simulation, and a course on data analysis (beyond statistics).