Bachelor of Science in
Unmanned Systems Applications
This groundbreaking program prepares students for administrative, operations and development work with unmanned and small unmanned systems in a range of industries.
One of the first degrees of its kind worldwide, the Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Systems Applications (BSUSA) prepares students for administration, operations and development work with UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) and sUAS (small unmanned aircraft systems) across a wide range of industries. Putting an emphasis on the air domain, the program also covers unmanned and robotic systems in the space, ground and maritime domains.
With continually updated curriculum firmly focused on the evolution of drones and robotics, students will learn how unmanned systems are being deployed — and that we’ve only just begun to explore the full potential of the technology.
Courses will examine major challenges such as interoperability, autonomy and robotics, airspace integration, communications, education and training, propulsion and power, teaming and regulation.
Students can customize the program to fit their desired career path by selecting from three learning tracks: Administration, Operations or Development. While each specialization focuses on a different aspect of unmanned systems, all will position students to play a prominent role in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics industry as it continues to grow.
DETAILS
About Systems Engineering at the Worldwide & Online Campus
Once the domain of military and government agencies, small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS and sUAS) have entered the civilian and commercial sectors, with drones and autonomous systems transforming the world as we know it.
From robotic vehicles roaming our streets to drones soaring through our skies, leading technology companies, news outlets, sports franchises and commercial enterprises all over the world increasingly rely on unmanned systems for critical aspects of their operations.
The Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Systems Applications (BSUSA) focuses on the growth, innovative development and effective use of unmanned system technology across the respective domains (air, space, ground and maritime), with a strong concentration on the air domain. The focused curriculum addresses major challenges within the industry, including business models and applications, autonomy, airspace integration, communications, education and training, propulsion, and power and regulation.
The BSUSA at Embry-Riddle Worldwide offers graduates career opportunities that go far beyond engineering and development. Companies also need skilled administrators, operators, managers and business professionals.
BSUSA graduates will be prepared to support, develop and apply the advanced technologies necessary to support the growing and dynamic needs of the industry. They will also be qualified to help guide the policies and regulations that govern this emerging field.
Students are also eligible to engage in cooperative study/internships and may elect to seek out those enriching opportunities.
For students who choose to pursue their master’s degree, a 4+1 degree option is available.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
General Education
| General Education | ||
| Embry-Riddle courses in the general education categories of Communication Theory and Skills, Humanities, Social Sciences, Physical and Life Science, Mathematics, and Computer Science may be chosen from as listed, assuming prerequisites are met. Courses from other institutions are acceptable if they fall into these broad categories and are at the level specified. | ||
| Communication Theory and Skills | ||
| Any Communication Theory and Skills above ENGL 106 | 9 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Lower-Level Humanities (Any Lower or Upper Level Humanities) | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Humanities (Any Upper Level Humanities) | 3 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Any Social Science | 6 | |
| Physical and Life Science | ||
| Any Physical Science/Physics | 6 | |
| Mathematics | ||
| Any College Algebra or Higher Math Series | 6 | |
| Computer Science | ||
| Any Computer Science | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Core/Major
| Program Core | ||
| ASCI 309 | Aerodynamics | 3 |
| UNSY 315 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Operations | 3 |
| UNSY 316 | Operational and Business Aspects of Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
| UNSY 318 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Robotics | 3 |
| UNSY 410 | Unmanned Systems Sensing Technology | 3 |
| UNSY 205 | Applied Physics for Unmanned Systems | 3 |
| UNSY 307 | Unmanned Systems Networking | 3 |
| UNSY 311 | Unmanned Ground Systems and Applications | 3 |
| UNSY 313 | Unmanned Maritime Systems and Applications | 3 |
| UNSY 331 | Unmanned Systems Legal and Regulatory Compliance | 3 |
| UNSY 405 | Unmanned Systems Operational Environments and Conditions | 3 |
| UNSY 415 | Unmanned Space Systems and Application | 3 |
| UNSY 431 | Unmanned Systems Human Factors Considerations | 3 |
| UNSY 491 | Operational Applications in Unmanned Systems | 3 |
| STAT 211 | Statistics with Aviation Applications | 3 |
| RSCH 202 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
Specified Electives
| Specified Electives | 18 | |
| Choose 6 courses from the list below: | ||
| PMGT 325 | Concepts and Practices of Project Management | 3 |
| COMD 322 | Aviation and Aerospace Communication | 3 |
| COMD 460 | Crisis Communication | 3 |
| BUSW 352 | Business Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| MGMT 408 | Airport Management | 3 |
| MKTG 450 | Aviation/Airport Marketing | 3 |
| EMGY 405 | Disaster Policy and Management | 3 |
| EMGY 310 | Fundamentals of Emergency Management | 3 |
| ESVS 403 | Disaster Planning and Control | 3 |
| HLSD 315 | Critical Infrastructure Security, Resilience, and Risk Analysis | 3 |
| WEAX 364 | Weather for Aircrews | 3 |
| ASCI 301 | Introduction to Air Traffic Control | 3 |
| ASCI 403 | Air Traffic Management | 3 |
| UNSY 319 | Cybersecurity and Countermeasure Considerations | 3 |
| UNSY 325 | Unmanned Systems Testing and Inspection | 3 |
| UNSY 329 | Unmanned Systems Computation and Programming | 3 |
| UNSY 421 | Unmanned Systems Mission Planning | 3 |
Minor or Open Electives:
| Open Electives | 18 | |
-OR-
| Minor Course of Study | 18 | |
| Choose Any Minor Course of Study (Except Unmanned Aerial Systems) | ||
Available Minors
| Total Degree Requirements ** | 120 | |
* Minnesota student residents refer to State of Minnesota Course Requirement statement for Humanities requirements.
***For 4+1 BSUSA students in the Minor in Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Operation the course UNSY 515 fulfills the requirements to replace UNSY 235 and UNSY 235L.
Suggested Plan of Study (BSUSA)
Freshman Year
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| Any Communication Theory and Skills above ENGL 106 | 9 | |
| Any College Algebra or Higher Math Series | 6 | |
| Computer Science Elective | 3 | |
| Lower-Level Humanities (Any Lower or Upper Level Humanities) | 3 | |
| Any Social Science | 6 | |
| STAT 211 | Statistics with Aviation Applications | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 30.0 | |
Sophomore Year
| Year Two | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| Any Physical Science/Physics | 6 | |
| RSCH 202 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| UNSY 205 | Applied Physics for Unmanned Systems | 3 |
| UNSY 307 | Unmanned Systems Networking | 3 |
| Track specific course | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Humanities (Any Upper Level Humanities) | 3 | |
| UNSY 315 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Operations | 3 |
| UNSY 311 | Unmanned Ground Systems and Applications | 3 |
| UNSY 405 | Unmanned Systems Operational Environments and Conditions | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 30.0 | |
Junior Year
| Year Three | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| UNSY 313 | Unmanned Maritime Systems and Applications | 3 |
| ASCI 309 | Aerodynamics | 3 |
| UNSY 415 | Unmanned Space Systems and Application | 3 |
| UNSY 316 | Operational and Business Aspects of Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
| UNSY 318 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Robotics | 3 |
| UNSY 331 | Unmanned Systems Legal and Regulatory Compliance | 3 |
| UNSY 410 | Unmanned Systems Sensing Technology | 3 |
| Track specific course | 3 | |
| Minor specific course | 3 | |
| UNSY 431 | Unmanned Systems Human Factors Considerations | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 30.0 | |
Senior Year
| Year Four | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| Track specific course | 3 | |
| Track specific course | 3 | |
| Minor specific course | 3 | |
| Track specific course | 3 | |
| Track specific course | 3 | |
| Minor specific course | 3 | |
| Minor specific course | 3 | |
| Minor specific course | 3 | |
| Minor specific course | 3 | |
| UNSY 491 | Operational Applications in Unmanned Systems | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 30.0 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
BSUSA-MSUS 4+1 Program: A Unique Opportunity
This program is for exceptional students who are committed to continuing their education through the Master’s degree. This fast-paced program allows qualifying students the opportunity to complete both the Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Systems Applications (BSUSA) and the Master of Science in Unmanned Systems (MSUS) in five academic years.
After spending three academic years in undergraduate-level study, BSUSA students who are accepted in the BSUSA-MSUS 4+1 program option will be allowed to take up to three (3) MSUS courses to replace an equal number of remaining BSUSA courses during their senior year. The selected courses can only replace BSUSA minor requirement or additional electives in each respective BSUSA track and may not replace program core or track support courses. Before selecting the courses to be taken, students must confer with an advisor to ensure that the courses selected are suitable and align with their selected MSUS area of concentration. A grade level average of B or better must be maintained for selected MSUS courses while enrolled in the BSUSA-MSUS 4+1 program. Any final BSUSA credit hour requirements not accomplished through MSUS course selection will have to be satisfied through upper level undergraduate electives. Upon successful BSUSA program requirement completion, students will be automatically enrolled in the MSUS program and their chosen area of concentration and can complete their degree within one year.
Students who fail in any of their selected MSUS courses or fail to maintain a grade average of B or better while still completing BSUSA degree requirements will be removed from the 4+1 program option, have credit awarded to the BSUSA degree only, and may continue to complete their BSUSA degree program. In this case, published BSUSA minor requirements and/or upper level electives can be used to fulfill remaining BSUSA credit requirements.
This special program will challenge students and develop their knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes in the concepts of unmanned systems while integrating their gained experience in unmanned systems applications. As a minimum to be considered for acceptance to this BSUSA-MSUS 4+1 option, applicant students must hold at least a 3.00 GPA, completed at least 75 credit hours of the BSUSA program requirements to apply and demonstrated superior academic capability.
Students initiate program acceptance through their Academic Advisor or Campus Advisor; to help ensure program criteria are met. Student Advisor will complete the request for processing into the 4+1 program.
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120 Credits
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