Bachelor of Science in
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
The FAA-certified B.S. in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems prepares graduates to enter the UAS field with an understanding of business, regulatory and security issues.
About the Bachelor of Science in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University is a leader in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) curriculum, launching the first accredited program in the country. Students enrolled in the program explore coursework in aeronautical science, uncrewed aircraft systems, computer science, engineering, geographic information systems (GIS) and service learning.
Embry‑Riddle’s Bachelor of Science in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills of UAS, emphasizing mission planning and execution, remote pilot operations, data collection and data processing.
Student Learning Outcomes
Learning opportunities you will have while studying in the drone program:
- Remote Sensing
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Aviation Safety
- UAS Maintenance
- Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Career Opportunities
Careers and Employers
Embry-Riddle graduates often find careers at Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Caci International and the U.S. Military, with a placement rate of 83.3% within a year of graduation.
Students earning a UAS degree often pursue careers as:
- Sensor Operator
- Operations Director
- Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Systems Specialist
- Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Analyst
- Remote Pilot in Command (RPICs)
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Salary Information
Embry-Riddle provides the opportunity for competitive salaries, with alumni averaging $81,200 annually one year post-graduation, as of 2022.
DETAILS
About Uncrewed Aircraft Systems at the Prescott, AZ Campus
Focusing on commercial and civil applications, the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) degree empowers graduates to meet current and future employment demands. Certified as a UAS-Collegiate Training Initiative Program, the UAS degree has evolved into one of the most hands-on degree programs offered at Embry‑Riddle and prepares graduates to enter a rapidly growing and changing industry.
UAS majors also gain a broad understanding of business, aviation regulations, technology, meteorology and security issues within the industry. All students in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems degree program train at our on-campus airfield.
Tracks/Specialties and/or Certificates
Students pursuing an Uncrewed Aircraft Systems degree have the option to complete the following certificate:
- GIS and Remote Sensing Certificate: 12 credit hours
- FAA Remote Pilot In-Command (RPIC) Certificate
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Information
- Credits: 120
- Online or In-Person: In-Person
- Capstone: UAS Capstone (AS475)
Helpful Links
- Tour Our Prescott Campus
- Discover the Department's Faculty
- Explore the Fields of Study: Space & Aviation
- Find Related Clubs & Organizations
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Aircraft Systems may be attained in eight semesters. To earn the degree, successful completion of 120 credit hours is required.
Program Mission Statement
The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) degree will provide the essential aeronautical, business, and legal knowledge and skills to obtain a successful career in the UAS industry. Graduates will be prepared for successful careers as Remote Pilots in Command (PICs), observers, payload operators, and/or operational managers of governmental and private sector UAS applications. Experience will be gained in aerial data collection, secure operations, long duration operations, highly detailed operations, and autonomous operations. Graduates will be prepared to meet current industry requirements with an emphasis on future industry developments such as Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) operations and the use of multiple small UAS at the same time.
Program Requirements
General Education
Embry-Riddle degree programs require students to complete a minimum of 36 hours of General Education coursework. For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog.
Students may choose other classes outside of their requirements, but doing so can result in the student having to complete more than the degree's 120 credit hours. This will result in additional time and cost to the student.
Communication Theory and Skills | 9 | |
Computer Science/Information Technology | 3 | |
Mathematics | 6 | |
Physical and Life Sciences (Natural Sciences) | 6 | |
Humanities and Social Sciences | 12 | |
3 hours of Lower-Level Humanities | ||
3 hours of Lower-Level Social Science | ||
3 horus of Lower-Level Humanities or Social Science | ||
3 hours of Upper-Level Humanities or Social Science | ||
Total Credits | 36 |
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Core (101-104 Credits)
The following course of study outlines the quickest and most cost-efficient route for students to earn their B.S. in Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Students are encouraged to follow the course of study to ensure they complete all program required courses and their prerequisites within four years.
Courses in the core with a # will satisfy your general education requirements.
AS 121 | Private Pilot Operations | 3-5 |
or AS 125 | Private and UAS Pilot Operations | |
AS 220 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
AS 235 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operation and Cross-Country Data Entry | 3 |
AS 309 | Aerodynamics | 3 |
AS 310 | Aircraft Performance | 3 |
AS 322 | Operational and Industrial Aspects of UAS | 3 |
AS 323 | Crew Resource Management for UAS | 3 |
AS 324 | Global Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulations | 3 |
AS 325 | Dronealism and Cinematography | 3 |
AS 403 | Unmanned Sensing Systems | 3 |
AS 405 | Aviation Law | 3 |
AS 473 | Operational Applications in Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
AS 475 | UAS Mission Execution | 3 |
AS 495W | Advanced UAS Videography | 3 |
AT 200 | Air Traffic Basics I | 3 |
BA 201 | Principles of Management | 3 |
CI 310 | Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance ** | 3 |
COM 122 | English Composition # | 3 |
EC 200 | An Economic Survey (OR Social Science Lower-Level Elective) # | 3 |
or EC 210 | Microeconomics | |
or EC 211 | Macroeconomics | |
General Education - Communications Elective # | 6 | |
General Education - Humanities Lower-Level Elective # | 3 | |
GEO 210 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
GEO 310 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
IT 109 | Introduction to Computers and Applications # | 3 |
or CS 118 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | |
SF 210 | Introduction to Aerospace Safety | 3 |
MA 111 | Pre-Calculus for Aviation # | 3 |
or MA 120 | Quantitative Methods I | |
or MA 140 | College Algebra | |
MA 112 | Applied Calculus for Aviation # | 3 |
or MA 220 | Quantitative Methods II | |
or MA 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | |
PS 113 | Introductory Physics I # | 3 |
PSY 222 | Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology (OR Humanities or Social Science Lower-Level Elective) *# | 3 |
PSY 326 | Group and Team Behavior (OR Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective) **# | 3 |
or PSY 345 | Training and Development | |
UNIV 101 | College Success | 1 |
WX 201 | Survey of Meteorology # | 3 |
WX 203L | Survey of Meteorology Laboratory # | 1 |
or PS 113L | Introductory Physics I Laboratory | |
WX 301 | Aviation Weather | 3 |
* The UAS Capstone (AS475) is intended to be a culminating experience for the Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Aircraft Systems degree, and therefore will be the last course taken in the UAS core after completing AS 473 UAS Flight Simulation.
Specified Electives (12 Credits)
Choose a total of 4 courses from the list of courses below:
AT 305 | Introduction to Terminal Radar Operations | 3 |
AT 401 | Advanced Terminal Radar Operations | 3 |
BA 308 | Public Administration | 3 |
BA 311 | Marketing | 3 |
BA 328 | Professional Consulting | 3 |
BA 337 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
BA 421 | Small Business Management | 3 |
SF 320 | Human Factors in Aviation Safety | 3 |
SIS 315 | Studies in Global Intelligence I | 3 |
SIS 323 | Intelligence and Technology | 3 |
SIS 420 | Aviation Security and Technology | 3 |
SIS 422 | Homeland Security and Technology | 3 |
SIS 430 | Emergency Management and Contingency Planning | 3 |
WX 270 | Weather Information Systems ** | 3 |
WX 364 | Weather for Aircrews | 3 |
WX 365 | Satellite and Radar Weather Interpretation * | 3 |
Open Electives (4-7)
Open Electives | 4-7 |
Total Credits | 120 |
- *
Offered in Fall Only
- **
Offered in Spring Only
PS 113L Spring Run Only
- #
General Education Course
All Army ROTC students are required to complete SS 321 - U.S. Military History 1900-Present (3 credits) in order to commission.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems - General
Freshman Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
AS 121 | Private Pilot Operations | 3-5 |
or AS 125
|
Private and UAS Pilot Operations | |
COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
IT 109 | Introduction to Computers and Applications | 3 |
or CS 118
|
Fundamentals of Computer Programming | |
MA 111 | Pre-Calculus for Aviation | 3 |
or MA 120
|
Quantitative Methods I | |
or MA 140
|
College Algebra | |
UNIV 101 | College Success | 1 |
Credits Subtotal | 13.0-15.0 | |
Spring | ||
BA 201 | Principles of Management | 3 |
Humanities Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
MA 112 | Applied Calculus for Aviation | 3-4 |
or MA 220
|
Quantitative Methods II | |
or MA 241
|
Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | |
PS 113 | Introductory Physics I | 3 |
WX 201 | Survey of Meteorology | 3 |
WX 203L | Survey of Meteorology Laboratory | 1 |
or PS 113L
|
Introductory Physics I Laboratory | |
Credits Subtotal | 16.0-17.0 | |
Sophomore Year | ||
Fall | ||
AS 220 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
AS 309 | Aerodynamics | 3 |
Communications Elective | 3 | |
PSY 222 | Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology (OR Humanities or Social Science Lower-Level Elective) | 3 |
WX 301 | Aviation Weather | 3 |
Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
Spring | ||
AS 235 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operation and Cross-Country Data Entry | 3 |
AS 310 | Aircraft Performance | 3 |
Communications Elective | 3 | |
SF 210 | Introduction to Aerospace Safety | 3 |
Specified Elective | 3 | |
Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
Junior Year | ||
Fall | ||
AS 322 | Operational and Industrial Aspects of UAS | 3 |
AT 200 | Air Traffic Basics I | 3 |
EC 200 | An Economic Survey (OR Economics, Psychology, or Social Science Lower-Level Elective) | 3 |
or EC 210
|
Microeconomics | |
or EC 211
|
Macroeconomics | |
GEO 210 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
Open Elective | 3 | |
Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
Spring | ||
AS 323 | Crew Resource Management for UAS | 3 |
AS 325 | Dronealism and Cinematography | 3 |
AS 403 | Unmanned Sensing Systems | 3 |
GEO 310 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
Specified Elective | 3 | |
Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
Senior Year | ||
Fall | ||
AS 324 | Global Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulations | 3 |
AS 473 | Operational Applications in Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
AS 495W | Advanced UAS Videography | 3 |
CI 310 | Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance | 3 |
Specified Elective | 3 | |
Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
Spring | ||
AS 405 | Aviation Law | 3 |
AS 475 | UAS Mission Execution | 3 |
Open Electives | 1-4 | |
PSY 326 | Group and Team Behavior (OR Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective) | 3 |
or PSY 345
|
Training and Development | |
Specified Elective | 3 | |
Credits Subtotal | 13.0-16.0 | |
Credits Total: | 120 |
GIS and Remote Sensing Certificate
The GIS and remote sensing certificate prepares students for employment in GIS and remote sensing related careers. Due to its versatile use in many industries, the GIS certificate is open to all disciplines that use geospatial data to manage workflows, processes, policies, and high-level decision-making.
Students in this certification program will learn the most common GIS and remote sensing workflows to generate, process and apply geospatial data via in-depth, hands-on experiences using state-of-the-art GIS software. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of working with a GIS using easy-to-understand, step-by-step tutorials and instructor demonstrations.
Students who successfully complete the GIS and remote sensing certificate will have the necessary skills to compete and work in the field of GIS and remote sensing in both the public and private sectors. Moreover, GIS and remote sensing skills earned through this certificate are useful in supporting capstone projects, master theses and can provide students with a robust foundation to engage in a research career.
Certification Requirements
To obtain the proposed GIS and Remote Sensing Certificate (a total of 12 CH) students will be required to take the following 4, 3-CH GEO courses:
GEO 210 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
GEO 310 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
GEO 350 | Introduction to Remote Sensing with GIS | 3 |
GEO 450 | Lidar Processing with GIS | 3 |
The GEO courses in the GIS and Remote Sensing Certificate should be taken in the order outlined above, but it is not necessary, except for GEO 210 which is a course prerequisite for GEO 310, 350 and 495. The content of study in each GEO course participating in this certificate is described in each GEO course already offered.
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Summary
120 Credits
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