Embry-Riddle graduate students working on Bid4R experiments.

Master of Science in
Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Engineering

This innovative program is among the first — and still one of the few — that allows students to focus on the engineering of unmanned and autonomous systems.

About the Master of Science in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Engineering

Embry‑Riddle is a pioneering institution in uncrewed and robotics education. In the Master of Science in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Engineering, a student’s prior engineering education and interest in uncrewed flight is the ideal combination to take their career to the next level. Whether students are recent graduates or working professionals, this degree will help them transition into new, exciting roles in the burgeoning field of uncrewed systems.

Students benefit from small class sizes and hands-on learning as they proceed through the Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Engineering (MSUASE) curriculum. Beyond the aircraft focus, students will study autonomous systems related to automobiles and drones, surface and undersea marine vessels and spacecraft.

Student Learning Outcomes

What you will learn while pursuing a UASE degree:

Apply fundamental engineering practices to analyze, design and support the implementation and development of uncrewed and/or autonomous systems
Apply knowledge of advanced topics in uncrewed and autonomous systems engineering
Communicate effectively on issues pertaining to uncrewed and autonomous systems

Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Engineering Career Opportunities

Careers and Employers

Autonomous Systems Engineering master's graduates often secure positions in fields such as automation engineering, software engineering, software verification engineering and 3D simulation engineering.

UAS master's degree graduates tend to enter the industry with companies such as:

Collins Aerospace
Iris Automation
DinoPlusAI
Radiance Technlogies, Inc.

Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Engineering Salary Information

As of 2023, graduates with a degree in uncrewed systems tend to receive competitive salaries, with an average income of $84,602 annually.

DETAILS

About Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Engineering at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus

Housed in the College of Engineering, the M.S. in Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems Engineering is one of the first — and still one of the few — programs to offer the opportunity to study the engineering of uncrewed and autonomous systems.

The MSUASE master's degree prepares students to work in an industry developing systems that operate along a spectrum of autonomy, from drones and autonomous robotics to surface water and underwater vessels and spacecraft. Students will have access to the highly specialized labs and facilities within the College of Engineering.

Tracks/Specialties and/or Certificates

Students can customize their Autonomous Systems Engineering degree by choosing from these available tracks:

Technical: 15 credits
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems: 15 credits
Systems Engineering: 15 credits

Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Engineering Information

Credits: 30
Online or In-Person: In-Person
Thesis: Thesis, Capstone & Coursework Options

Helpful Links

Tour our Daytona Beach Campus
Discover the Department's Faculty
Explore the Fields of Study: Engineering & Space & Aviation
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Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

Apply fundamental engineering practices to analyze, design, and support the implementation and development of uncrewed and/or autonomous systems.
Solve engineering problems in uncrewed/autonomous systems using knowledge gained on advanced topics covered from the program's core and chosen electives.
Communicate issues pertaining to uncrewed and autonomous systems to peers.
Implement safe systems through analysis and design techniques.

Program Requirements

The program supports the Thesis and Graduate Project options

Core Requirements		15
AE/EE/ME 527	Modern Control Systems	3
CEC 528	Networks	3
EE 528	Sensors and Data Links	3
ME 503	Introduction to Autonomous Vehicle Systems	3
SYS 505	System Safety and Certification	3
Thesis Option
One (1) Approved Elective		3
One (1) Open Elective ^*		3
EGR 600	Research Methods for Engineers	3
UAS 700	Thesis	3
UAS 700	Thesis	3
Graduate Project Option
Two (2) Approved Electives		6
Two (2) Open Electives ^*		6
UAS 690	Graduate Project	3
Total Credits		30

Approved Electives

Approved Electives
AE 506	Airplane Dynamic Stability	3
AE 553	Hybrid and Urban Air Mobility	3
AE 623	Navigation, Guidance and Control	3
AE 626	Advanced Topics in Discrete Control Theory	3
CEC 500	Engineering Project Management	3
CEC 526	Sensor Data Fusion	3
CEC 527	Mobile Sensor Networks	3
CEC 530	Image Processing and Machine Vision	3
CEC 610	State and Parameter Estimation	3
CS 528	Multi-Agent Systems	3
CS 529	Computer Security	3
CS 555	Artificial Intelligence	3
EE 500	Digital Control Systems	3
EE 505	Advanced Mechatronics	3
EE 510	Linear Systems	3
EE 515	Random Signals	3
EE 525	Avionics and Radio Navigation	3
EE 529	Electro-Optical Systems	3
EE 625	Satellite-Based Communications and Navigation	3
ME 513	Perception Methods for Autonomous Systems	3
ME 520	Sensor Processing with Applications	3
ME 523	Modeling and Simulation of Linear Dynamic Systems	3
ME 610	Automation and Additive Manufacturing	3
ME 615	Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning	3
SYS 500	Fundamentals of Systems Engineering	3
SYS 530	System Requirements Analysis and Modeling	3
SYS 560	Introduction to Systems Engineering Management	3
SYS 610	System Architecture Design and Modeling	3
SYS 625	System Quality Assurance	3

*: Open electives are 500-level or higher courses relevant to uncrewed and/or autonomous systems. Students should see their advisor to determine the suitability of their open electives.

For course descriptions, education requirements, curriculum, and suggested plan of study, please see the Master of Science in Unmanned and Autonomous Systems in the Daytona Beach Catalog.