General Description
This 9-credit hour certificate program consists of three sequential courses (3 credit hours each) and will require three semesters (fall, spring, and summer) for completion. Students will learn fundamental operational skills for small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) as well as design, construction, and practical applications for drones for commercial workforce operations. Upon completion of the coursework, students will attain FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification as a Remote Pilot.
How Can This Apply to Students of Various Majors?
Small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) are able to fly via a remote pilot and as such, can access areas that would otherwise present substantial challenges due to issues such as geographical obstacles, potential hazards or risks to human safety and life, and significant expense. New applications for small unmanned aircraft systems are developing rapidly in many areas including law enforcement (including search and rescue), environmental studies, geographical information systems including mapping, surveying, and imaging, assessment of hazardous environmental conditions, humanitarian efforts including innovative delivery systems for medications and supplies, military applications, agricultural applications including yield projections and control of irrigation systems and other machinery, applications for numerous shipping and delivery systems, and many more applications. There is no real limit in terms of future use and applicability for sUAS. As such, the need for certified and qualified sUAS remote pilots has increased in recent years due to rapidly evolving technology and applications for sUAS. Obtaining FAA certification as a remote pilot can significantly augment skills needed for numerous, various career areas including, but not limited to, law enforcement and other emergency services, engineers of all types, medical services, natural resources and conservation, agriculture, disaster management, insurance companies, journalism, telecommunications, and various industries. By law, anyone who is operating a sUAS for commercial use (for work or business) must be FAA certified.
Course Options
Current Catalog
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drone) Certificate, Biology, BI90