Bachelor of Science in
Unmanned Systems Applications
One of the first degrees of its kind, the Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Systems Applications (BSUSA) prepares students for administration, operations and development work in the emerging unmanned systems field. As one of the first degree programs to focus on this burgeoning field, 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).
Through extremely focused and continually updated curriculum, students will learn how unmanned systems are utilized on land, in water, in the air and in space today — and that we’ve only just begun to explore their full potential.
Courses will examine major industry challenges such as interoperability, autonomy, airspace integration, communications, education and training, propulsion and power, teaming, and regulation.
Students will customize the BSUSA 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 the unmanned systems industry, all will position you to play a prominent role in the field as it continues to grow.
DETAILS
About Systems Engineering at the Worldwide & Online Campus
Once the domain of military and government agencies, unmanned systems have entered the civilian and commercial sectors and are transforming the world as we know it. From the driverless cars roaming our streets to the unmanned aircraft soaring through our skies, leading technology companies, news outlets, sports franchises, and commercial enterprises all over the world rely on unmanned systems for critical aspects of their operations. The Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Systems Applications (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.
Students will customize the degree 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 the unmanned systems industry, all will position graduates to play a prominent role in the field as it continues to grow.
Administration Track: The emphasis is on managerial aspects of unmanned systems applications, ranging from business considerations, and legal and regulatory requirements to environmental compliance, safety management, or contracting and procurement.
Operations Track: This area focuses on individual mission support such as mission planning, payload selection, or sensor data treatment.
Development Track: This area bridges the gap between engineering aspects and operational requirements. The focus is on task-oriented implementation, combination, and/or (re)design of existing technologies to suit new applications, including software adaptation to match requirements.
Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Systems Applications graduates will be prepared to help 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.
For students who choose to pursue their master’s degree, a 4+1 degree option is available.
Once the domain of military and government agencies, unmanned systems have entered the civilian and commercial sectors and are transforming the world as we know it. From the driverless cars roaming our streets to the unmanned aircraft soaring through our skies to the robotic rovers operating on distant planetary bodies, leading enterprises all over the world rely on unmanned systems for critical aspects of their operations. Yet we’ve only scratched the surface of what these systems can do.
As one of the first-degree programs to focus on this promising field, 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). The focused curriculum addresses major challenges within the industry, including interoperability, autonomy, airspace integration, communications, education and training, propulsion and power, teaming, and regulation. Students will choose from three distinct learning tracks:
- Administration - Focuses on managerial aspects of unmanned systems applications.
- Operations - Focuses on task-oriented mission planning and execution in unmanned systems operations.
- Development – Focuses on engineering and design aspects of unmanned systems.
BSUSA graduates will be prepared to help 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.
BSUSA students who wish to continue on to a master's degree may enroll in the BSUSA to MSUS 4+1 program as outlined in this program.
| 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 this list, 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 | ||
| ENGL 123 | English Composition | 3 |
| Speech/English | 6 | |
| Humanities* | ||
| HUMN 330 | Values and Ethics | 3 |
| Humanities elective | 3 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| ECON 210 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| Social Science elective | 3 | |
| Physical and Life Science | ||
| PHYS 102 | Explorations in Physics | 3 |
| Physical Science Elective | 3 | |
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH 140 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 142 | Trigonometry | 3 |
| Computer Science | ||
| Take one of the following courses to satisfy Computer Science requirements. The course used to satisfy the General Education Computer Science requirement cannot also be used to satisfy a Core/Major or Minor requirement. | 3 | |
CSCI 109 | Introduction to Computers and Applications | |
CSCI 123 | Introduction to Computing for Data Analysis | |
CYBR 235 | Computer and Network Technologies | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
| 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 | |
Tracks of Study
| Tracks of Study ** | 36 | |
| Students will select from one of three available tracks of study, each containing a total of 12 courses (36 credit hours). Students will fulfill six (6) required support courses (18 credit hours) within the track of study and will fulfill six (6) additional courses (18 credit hours) by selecting one of the available minors and making up remaining credit shortage with upper level electives (300 or 400 level courses). ** Students who select the Development Track will complete 19 credits and will complete 121 total degree requirements. | ||
| Students will chose from the respective list of available minor (selection of existing minor within the WW catalogue) to complete their chosen track requirements. Course requirements for the selected minor are as outlined in the minor description (within the Worldwide catalog), with which students will have to comply. The depicted number (in parenthesis) of additional electives that result from each choice of minor is for reference only and is based on current course/credit requirements for the minor and course/credits requirements already accomplished in the BSUSA Program Core and/or Track support. (This number of remaining electives may be subject to changes with catalogue changes to a minor). | ||
| Total Degree Requirements ** | 120 | |
Administration Track
| Administration | ||
| MATH 112 | Applied Calculus for Aviation | 3 |
| SFTY 311 | Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health | 3 |
| MGMT 221 | Introduction to Management Information Systems | 3 |
| MKTG 311 | Marketing | 3 |
| PMGT 325 | Concepts and Practices of Project Management | 3 |
| BUSW 390 | Business Law | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| Available Minor for the Administration Track (with courses from existing minors) | 18 | |
Aviation Safety (no electives)
Helicopter Operations and Safety (no electives)
Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Operation (no electives)***
Operations Track
| Operations | ||
| MATH 112 | Applied Calculus for Aviation | 3 |
| SFTY 311 | Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health | 3 |
| UNSY 319 | Cybersecurity and Countermeasure Considerations | 3 |
| UNSY 321 | Unmanned Systems Localization and Path Planning | 3 |
| UNSY 325 | Unmanned Systems Testing and Inspection | 3 |
| UNSY 421 | Unmanned Systems Mission Planning | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| Available Minor for the Operations Track (with courses from existing minors) | 18 | |
Aviation Safety (no electives)
Helicopter Operations and Safety (no electives)
Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Operation (no electives)***
Development Track
| Development ** | ||
| MATH 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 |
| CESC 220 | Digital Circuit Design | 3 |
| ENGR 101 | Introduction to Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 3 |
| SFTY 326 | System Safety | 3 |
| UNSY 329 | Unmanned Systems Computation and Programming | 3 |
| **Students who select the Development Track will complete 19 credits and will complete 121 total degree requirements. | ||
| Total Credits | 19 | |
| Available Minor for the Development Track (with courses from existing minors) | 18 | |
Aviation Safety (no electives)
Helicopter Operations and Safety (no electives)
Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Operation (no electives)***
* 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 | ||
| ENGL 123 | English Composition | 3 |
| Computer Science Elective | ||
| MATH 140 | College Algebra | 3 |
| Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| MATH 142 | Trigonometry | 3 |
| English Elective | 3 | |
| ECON 210 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| STAT 211 | Statistics with Aviation Applications | 3 |
| English Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 27.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 27.0 | |
Sophomore Year
| Year Two | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| RSCH 202 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| PHYS 102 | Explorations in Physics | 3 |
| UNSY 205 | Applied Physics for Unmanned Systems | 3 |
| Physical Science Elective | 3 | |
| UNSY 307 | Unmanned Systems Networking | 3 |
| Track specific course | 3 | |
| HUMN 330 | Values and Ethics | 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 88 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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