
Bachelor of Science in
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
This hands-on program, certified by the FAA, prepares graduates to enter this rapidly growing field with an understanding of business, regulatory and security issues.
As the unmanned aircraft systems industry continues to evolve dynamically, the benefits of gaining an education specific to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have become apparent. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a leader in UAS curriculum, launching the first accredited program in the country. The program has continued to mature and grow by providing the state-of-the-art classroom and practical instruction necessary for graduates to become Unmanned Aircraft Systems industry leaders.
Embry-Riddle’s Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Aircraft Systems degree equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to seek employment in a wide variety of Unmanned Aircraft Systems related fields, including professional UAS pilots, sensor operators, project managers and field technicians.
Students enrolled in the program explore coursework in aeronautical science, unmanned aircraft systems, computer science, engineering, geographic information systems (GIS) and service learning. The skills acquired through Embry-Riddle’s unique curriculum provide graduates with a strong framework of knowledge that meets the highest demands of the industry.
The program emphasizes mission planning and execution, risk management, data collection and data processing. The knowledge and skills graduates acquire through practical experience allows them to derive unique solutions within Unmanned Aircraft Systems applications and provide safe and professional UAS operations.
Additionally, Embry-Riddle has paired with local organizations to establish land use for academic flight operations. Students, under faculty guidance, have the opportunity to operate a host of unmanned platforms in actual environments, which further broadens capabilities and exposure to industry standards.
DETAILS
This offering is available at the following campuses. Select a campus to learn more.
About Unmanned Aircraft Systems at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus
The Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Aircraft Systems degree program at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus is one of the first and one of only a few in the nation that gives graduates the expertise they need for employment as professional UAS pilots, sensor operators, mission coordinators and applications specialists.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems students also learn about core engineering principles relevant to the operation of UAS and how the regulatory environment is evolving to govern their operations. Housed in the Department of Aeronautical Science in the College of Aviation, the program provides knowledge in several UAS applications areas, surveillance and data collection, secure operations, long-duration operations and autonomous operations.
A typical first year includes general education courses like Communication Theory and Skills, Aeronautical Science core courses and other courses related to human factors, math and science.
The curriculum offers in-field flight experience and state-of-the-art simulation, allowing students to operate unmanned aircraft in both virtual and actual environments, fly Unmanned Aircraft Systems missions as part of a crew, cultivate an appreciation for industry standard safety protocols and develop a strong foundation of aviation fundamentals.
The program utilizes the Penguin C, a professional long-endurance and long-range UAS system, for flight training. It also highlights issues, such as the integration of unmanned aircraft into existing infrastructure, and requires students to make reasonable predictions of how the current system will accommodate the addition of cutting-edge technologies. Students also gain experience with community-based or internship programs through our service learning initiative.
Graduates are fully prepared to pilot unmanned aircraft for private and commercial industries and familiar with airspace restrictions, Federal Aviation Regulation restrictions, air traffic control requirements and the capability and limitations of unmanned aircraft.
Students can also opt to join the UAS Technology Club or take part in industry-hosted Unmanned Aircraft Systems competitions.
Note: This degree program is confined to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which limits admission to only U.S. or naturalized citizens.
General Education Requirements
For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog. These minimum requirements are applicable to all degree programs.
Communication Theory and Skills (COM 122 and COM 219 and COM 221) | 9 | |
Lower-Level Humanities * | 3 | |
Lower-Level Social Science (PSY 101 required) | 3 | |
Lower or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences * | 3 | |
Upper-Level Humanities/Social Science * | 3 | |
Computer Science (CS 118) | 3 | |
Mathematics (MA 111 and MA 112) | 6 | |
Physical Science (PS 113) | 3 | |
Physical Science (Lower or Upper Level BIO, Lower or Upper Level CHM, Lower or Upper Level PS, PS 224 or GEO 215) | 3 | |
Physical Science Laboratory (Lower or Upper Level BIO Lab, Lower or Upper Level CHM Lab, Lower or Upper Level PS Lab) | 1 | |
Total Credits | 37 |
Aeronautical Knowledge
ASC 101 | Aeronautical Science Student Success Seminar | 1 |
AS 121 | Private Pilot Operations | 5 |
AS 220 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
AS 309 | Aerodynamics | 3 |
UA 101 | Remote Pilot Operations | 1 |
WX 201 | Survey of Meteorology | 3 |
Total Credits | 16 |
Geospatial Data Acquisition and Processing
AS 235 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operation and Cross-Country Data Entry | 3 |
AS 368 | UAS Sensing Systems | 3 |
AS 390 | Application of UAS Technology | 3 |
GEO 210 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
GEO 310 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
UA 201 | Mapping Applications and Data Collection with UAS | 1 |
Total Credits | 16 |
Operations and Leadership
AS 222 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Security | 3 |
AS 322 | Operational and Industrial Aspects of UAS | 3 |
or AS 319 | UAS Law | |
AS 323 | Crew Resource Management for UAS | 3 |
AS 473 | Operational Applications in Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
BA 201 | Principles of Management | 3 |
Total Credits | 15 |
Technical Skills Development
AS 365 | UAS Electronic Flight Management | 3 |
AS 416 | UAS Field Service and Sustainment | 3 |
UA 301 | Complex UAS Flight Operations | 1 |
UA 401 | UAS Mission Application | 1 |
Total Credits | 8 |
Program Support
AS 315 | UAS Robotics | 3 |
AT 310 | Air Traffic Control Tower for Non ATC | 3 |
EGR 120 | Graphical Communications | 3 |
or EGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | |
HF 300 | Human Factors I: Principles and Fundamentals | 3 |
Total Credits | 12 |
Service Learning
UA 390 | UAS Practicum I | 3 |
UA 490 | UAS Practicum II | 3 |
Total Credits | 6 |
Open Electives
Open Electives (6 hrs must be Upper Level) | 12 | |
Total Credits | 12 |
Total Credit Hours | 122 |
Note: Refer to Undergraduate Academic Regulations and Procedures section for credit for flight training at other institutions.
After matriculation to Embry-Riddle, all flight training must be completed on-campus to earn the Unmanned Aircraft Systems degree.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Credits | ||
ASC 101 | Aeronautical Science Student Success Seminar | 1 |
AS 121 | Private Pilot Operations | 5 |
AS 220 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
BA 201 | Principles of Management | 3 |
COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
CS 118 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
MA 111 | Pre-Calculus for Aviation | 3 |
MA 112 | Applied Calculus for Aviation | 3 |
HU 14X Humanities Elective | 3 | |
WX 201 | Survey of Meteorology | 3 |
UA 101 | Remote Pilot Operations | 1 |
Credits Subtotal | 31.0 | |
Year Two | ||
AS 222 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Security | 3 |
AS 235 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operation and Cross-Country Data Entry | 3 |
COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
EGR 120 | Graphical Communications | 3 |
GEO 210 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
GEO 310 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
PS 113 | Introductory Physics I | 3 |
Physical Science Elective Lecture | 3 | |
Physical Science Lab | 1 | |
PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Credits Subtotal | 31.0 | |
Year Three | ||
AS 309 | Aerodynamics | 3 |
AS 322 | Operational and Industrial Aspects of UAS | 3 |
AS 323 | Crew Resource Management for UAS | 3 |
AS 365 | UAS Electronic Flight Management | 3 |
AS 368 | UAS Sensing Systems | 3 |
AS 390 | Application of UAS Technology | 3 |
AT 310 | Air Traffic Control Tower for Non ATC | 3 |
HF 300 | Human Factors I: Principles and Fundamentals | 3 |
HU/SS Lower or Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
Open Elective - Upper Level | 3 | |
UA 201 | Mapping Applications and Data Collection with UAS | 1 |
Credits Subtotal | 31.0 | |
Year Four | ||
AS 315 | UAS Robotics | 3 |
AS 416 | UAS Field Service and Sustainment | 3 |
AS 473 | Operational Applications in Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
HU/SS Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
Open Elective - Upper Level | 3 | |
Open Elective | 6 | |
UA 301 | Complex UAS Flight Operations | 1 |
UA 390 | UAS Practicum I | 3 |
UA 401 | UAS Mission Application | 1 |
UA 490 | UAS Practicum II | 3 |
Credits Subtotal | 29.0 | |
Credits Total: | 122 |
Get Started Now:
Summary
122 Credits
Estimate your tuition by using the Tuition Calculator
View Financial Aid Information
Learn about our General Education
Find out about transferring credits to this degree
Learn more about our Veterans & Military benefits
View our Academic Calendar
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Daytona Beach, FL Campus


Pilot Shortage: Florida Teens Poised to Fill Industry Need through New FAA-Funded Embry-Riddle Program
Prescott Campus Flight Training Center to Debut in Summer 2024
Aviation Maintenance: Not Just Technicians
Boeing, Embry-Riddle Partner on $5.1 Million Center to Advance Aviation Safety
Embry-Riddle Students Secure Highest Number of Patti Grace Smith Fellowships
Embry-Riddle’s Digital Textbook Initiative Saves Students $2 Million in Past Six Years
Airline Exec Offers Embry-Riddle Students 10 ‘Golden Rules’ to Thrive in Aviation
Embry-Riddle Biking Group Established to Protect the Planet, Wallets, Health
- Pilot Shortage: Florida Teens Poised to Fill Industry Need through New FAA-Funded Embry-Riddle Program
- Prescott Campus Flight Training Center to Debut in Summer 2024
- Aviation Maintenance: Not Just Technicians
- Boeing, Embry-Riddle Partner on $5.1 Million Center to Advance Aviation Safety
- Embry-Riddle Students Secure Highest Number of Patti Grace Smith Fellowships
- Embry-Riddle’s Digital Textbook Initiative Saves Students $2 Million in Past Six Years
- Airline Exec Offers Embry-Riddle Students 10 ‘Golden Rules’ to Thrive in Aviation
- Embry-Riddle Biking Group Established to Protect the Planet, Wallets, Health
Spotlight
About Unmanned Aircraft Systems at the Prescott, AZ Campus
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is proud to introduce our Bachelor of Science degree in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This exciting degree, certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a UAS-Collegiate Training Initiative Program, 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. The FAA predicts that the fleet of commercial small UASs in the United States will approach 800,000 by the year 2024. Consequently, tens of thousands of UAS professionals will be needed who are capable of safely planning and executing UAS missions and effectively delivering the end products to their customers.
Focusing on commercial and civil applications, the Unmanned Aircraft Systems degree empowers graduates to meet current and future employment demands. The degree qualifies students from all nationalities as subject matter experts in data collection, retrieval, editing, display, and delivery. For example, refer to the video on this page which shows a three-dimensional model of the Hazy Library created using our UAS equipment and software. Models such as these are very useful for a variety of industries because they enable the calculation of important surveying parameters such as surface area, volume, height, width, coordinates, etc.
Through supporting course work, Unmanned Aircraft Systems majors also gain a broad understanding of business, aviation regulations, technology, meteorology, and security issues associated with the industry. All students in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems program train at our on-campus airfield and earn their FAA Remote
Pilot In-Command (RPIC) certificate. They learn to fly a variety of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing UASs and learn to use a variety of useful software suites. Moreover, the UAS program is working with several local commercial partners to enable students to obtain hands-on experience planning and executing actual UAS missions. Enroll in our Unmanned Aircraft Systems program and help shape a new and evolving industry!
The Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Aircraft Systems degree is housed in the Department of Applied Aviation Sciences in the College of Aviation.
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 (37-38 Credits)
COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
or COM 222 | Business Communication | |
or COM 223 | Intelligence Writing | |
EC 200 | An Economic Survey (OR Economics, Psychology, or Social Science Lower-Level Elective) | 3 |
or EC 210 | Microeconomics | |
or EC 211 | Macroeconomics | |
Humanities Lower-Level Elective | 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 | |
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 |
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 | |
WX 201 | Survey of Meteorology | 3 |
WX 203L | Survey of Meteorology Laboratory | 1 |
or PS 113L | Introductory Physics I Laboratory |
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Core (64-66 Credits)
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 |
GEO 210 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
GEO 310 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
SF 210 | Introduction to Aerospace Safety | 3 |
UNIV 101 | College Success | 1 |
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 |
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 |
COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
WX 301 | Aviation Weather | 3 |
PSY 222 | Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology (OR Humanities or Social Science Lower-Level Elective) | 3 |
Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
Spring | ||
AS 235 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operation and Cross-Country Data Entry | 3 |
AS 310 | Aircraft Performance | 3 |
COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
or COM 222
|
Business Communication | |
or COM 223
|
Intelligence Writing | |
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 473 | Operational Applications in Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
AS 324 | Global Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulations | 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.
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 495 | 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.
Get Started Now:
Summary
120 Credits
Estimate your tuition by using the Tuition Calculator
View Financial Aid Information
Learn about our General Education
Find out about transferring credits to this degree
Learn more about our Veterans & Military benefits
View our Academic Calendar
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Prescott, AZ Campus


Flexjet Helps a New Generation Take to the Skies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Two Cybersecurity Leaders Honored at Embry-Riddle Expert Symposium
EPA to Get First Look at Eagle Research That Monitors Air Quality Using Drones
Astronomer Named First-Ever Embry-Riddle Winner of $100,000 Award
Embry-Riddle and Amerijet Collaborate on Pilot Pathway Program
Aviation Week Op-Ed: It’s Time to Address Pilots’ Mental Health, Embry-Riddle President Writes
Hawaiian Airlines Joins Embry-Riddle’s SkillBridge Program to Train, Employ Transitioning Military Personnel
Eagle Researchers Advance Drone Technology for Tracking Wildfires
- Flexjet Helps a New Generation Take to the Skies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Two Cybersecurity Leaders Honored at Embry-Riddle Expert Symposium
- EPA to Get First Look at Eagle Research That Monitors Air Quality Using Drones
- Astronomer Named First-Ever Embry-Riddle Winner of $100,000 Award
- Embry-Riddle and Amerijet Collaborate on Pilot Pathway Program
- Aviation Week Op-Ed: It’s Time to Address Pilots’ Mental Health, Embry-Riddle President Writes
- Hawaiian Airlines Joins Embry-Riddle’s SkillBridge Program to Train, Employ Transitioning Military Personnel
- Eagle Researchers Advance Drone Technology for Tracking Wildfires
Spotlight


RELATED DEGREES
You may be interested in the following degrees: