Bachelor of Science in
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Science
As the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry continues to evolve dynamically, the benefits of gaining an education specific to 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 UAS industry leaders.
Embry-Riddle’s Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Science degree equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to seek employment in a wide variety of UAS 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 UAS 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.
This degree program is confined to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which limits admission to only U.S. or naturalized citizens.
DEGREE DETAILS
About Unmanned Aircraft Systems Science at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus
The B.S. in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Science 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.
UAS 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 UAS 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 UAS competitions.
Learn more about the Daytona Beach, FL Campus
The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Science degree provides the necessary education and training for aspiring professionals in the diverse field of unmanned aviation operations. The degree provides a solid foundation for several UAS applications areas, including hazardous operations, surveillance and data collection, secure operations, long duration operations, highly-repetitive operations, and autonomous operations. Graduates will be well grounded in all aspects of UAS operations, ranging from simple inspection missions to planning and executing complex long-term missions in ways that ensure safe and professional operations at all levels.
Admission Requirements
Students entering this program should have a basic background in math and physics. Students wishing to strengthen their background in math and the basic sciences before enrolling in the prescribed courses should contact the department chair or the program coordinator for guidance.
Due to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) imposed by the United States’ Department of State, this degree will only be open to U.S. citizens.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Aircraft Systems may be attained in eight semesters. To earn the degree, successful completion of 122 credit hours is required.
| General Education | 37 | |
| Aeronautical Knowledge | 16 | |
| Geospatial Data Acquisition and Processing | 16 | |
| Operations and Leadership | 15 | |
| Technical Skills Development | 8 | |
| Program Support | 12 | |
| Service Learning | 2-6 | |
| Open Electives | 12-16 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |
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 * | 9 | |
| Lower-Level Humanities * | 3 | |
| Lower or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences * | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Humanities/Social Science | 3 | |
| CS 118 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
| MA 111 | College Mathematics for Aviation I | 3 |
| MA 112 | College Mathematics for Aviation II | 3 |
| PS 113 | Introductory Physics I | 3 |
| Choose one of the following (BIO 120, CHM 110, PS 117, PS 224 or GEO 215) | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following (BIO 120L, CHM 110L, PS 113L, PS 117L, PS 224L) | 1 | |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| 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 | |
| BA 201 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| AS 222 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Security | 3 |
| AS 322 | Operational and Industrial Aspects of UAS | 3 |
| AS 323 | Crew Resource Management for UAS | 3 |
| AS 473 | UAS Flight Simulation | 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
| AT 310 | Air Traffic Control Tower for Non ATC | 3 |
| EGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 3 |
| HF 300 | Human Factors I: Principles and Fundamentals | 3 |
| ME 311 | Robotics Technologies for Unmanned Systems | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Service Learning
| AS 399 | Special Topics in Aeronautical Science | 1-3 |
| AS 499 | Special Topics in Aeronautical Science | 1-3 |
| Total Credits | 2-6 | |
Open Electives
| Open Electives (6 hrs must be Upper Level) | 12-16 | |
| Total Credits | 12-16 | |
| 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 Science degree.
Suggested Plan of Study
| 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 | College Mathematics for Aviation I | 3 |
| MA 112 | College Mathematics for Aviation II | 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 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 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 399 | Special Topics in Aeronautical Science | 2-6 |
| AS 416 | UAS Field Service and Sustainment | 3 |
| AS 473 | UAS Flight Simulation | 3 |
| AS 499 | Special Topics in Aeronautical Science | 2-6 |
| HU/SS Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
| ME 311 | Robotics Technologies for Unmanned Systems | 3 |
| Open Elective - Upper Level | 3 | |
| Open Elective * | 6-10 | |
| UA 301 | Complex UAS Flight Operations | 1 |
| UA 401 | UAS Mission Application | 1 |
| Credits Subtotal | 27.0-39.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 122 | |
| * | Open Elective credit required may vary based on total credit taken for Service Learning courses (AS 399/AS 499). |
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Degree Summary
122 Credits
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