Master of Science in
Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Engineering
Embry-Riddle has been a pioneering institution in the field of unmanned and robotics education. Now with the Master of Science in Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Engineering, a student’s prior engineering education and interest in unmanned flight is the ideal combination to take their career to the next level. Whether students are recent graduates or working professionals, a master’s degree in this engineering field will help them transition into new, exciting roles in the burgeoning field of unmanned flight.
According to a study by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, more than 100,000 unmanned aerial systems jobs are projected by 2025. Degree holders work in a number of industries including military, government, energy, transportation, telecommunications, and even entertainment.
Students will benefit from small classes and hands-on learning as they proceed through the Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Engineering curriculum.
If so inclined, a student may choose the Unmanned Aircraft Systems area of concentration, building a deep understanding of problems in the field through development of an operational aircraft and control station. A concentration is not required for this graduate program.
Beyond the aircraft focus, students will study unmanned systems related to automobiles, surface and undersea marine vessels, and spacecraft.
DEGREE DETAILS
This degree is offered at the following campuses. Select a campus to learn more.
About Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Engineering at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus
Housed in the College of Engineering, the M.S. in Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Engineering is one of the first—and still one of the few—programs to offer the opportunity to study the engineering of unmanned and autonomous systems. The program prepares students to work in an industry developing systems that operate along a spectrum of autonomy, from unmanned aircraft and autonomous cars to robotic surface water and underwater vessels, spacecraft and industrial robots.
- A typical first year will include core classes such as Modern Control Systems and Unmanned and Autonomous Vehicle Systems, plus advisor-approved electives.
- This is a 30-credit program, including a 15-credit core and 15 elective credits that may be all course work, course work and a capstone project done individually or with a team, or a thesis.
- Students will have access to the highly specialized labs and facilities within the College of Engineering.
The 30-credit program, built on rigorous coursework, allows students the option of developing and demonstrating knowledge attainment through project-based experiences. The program’s fifteen-credit core provides breadth across pertinent issues in unmanned and autonomous systems: unmanned platforms; planning and localization; sensors and data links; control systems; reliability, safety, and certification; and the requisite mathematical background. The program’s remaining fifteen credits consists of elective courses, determined in consultation with the student’s advisor to tailor a program of study. The electives provide the student three options: all coursework; coursework plus a two-semester capstone project performed either alone or, more likely, as a member of a small team, leading to publication of a conference paper (or preparation of a technical report of comparable publication quality); or a thesis option leading to publication of multiple conference papers or a journal article (or preparation of technical reports of comparable quality). In addition, the student can choose the Unmanned Aircraft Systems area of concentration, building a deep understanding of problems in the field through development of an operational aircraft and control station, or the Systems Engineering area of concentration to develop skills in systems engineering toward the requirements, design, implementation, validation, and certification of unmanned and autonomous systems.
Areas of Concentration
Technical Area of Concentration
The Technical Area of Concentration supports the Thesis, Capstone, and Coursework only options.
| Required Courses for Technical Concentration | 15 | |
| AE/EE/ME 527 | Modern Control Systems | 3 |
| EE 510 | Linear Systems | 3 |
| EE 528 | Sensors and Data Links | 3 |
| ME 503 | Unmanned and Autonomous Vehicle Systems | 3 |
| SYS 505 | System Safety and Certification | 3 |
| Thesis Option | ||
| Two (2) Electives Required | 6 | |
| UAS 700 | Thesis | 9 |
| Capstone Option | ||
| Three (3) Electives Required | 9 | |
| UAS 691 | Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Capstone Design Project I | 3 |
| UAS 692 | Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Capstone Design Project II | 3 |
| Coursework Only Option | ||
| Five (5) Electives | 15 | |
| Total | 30 | |
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Area of Concentration
The UAS Area of Concentration only supports the Capstone Option
Required Courses UAS Concentration | ||
| AE/EE/ME 527 | Modern Control Systems | 3 |
| EE 510 | Linear Systems | 3 |
| EE 528 | Sensors and Data Links | 3 |
| ME 503 | Unmanned and Autonomous Vehicle Systems | 3 |
| SYS 505 | System Safety and Certification | 3 |
Elective Courses for UAS Concentration | ||
| AE 506 | Airplane Dynamic Stability | 3 |
| AE 623 | Atmospheric Navigation, Guidance and Control | 3 |
| AE 626 | Aircraft Fault Tolerance and Advanced Control Theory | 3 |
Capstone for UAS Concentration | ||
| UAS 691 | Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Capstone Design Project I | 3 |
| UAS 692 | Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Capstone Design Project II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Systems Engineering Area of Concentration
The Systems Engineering Area of Concentration only supports the Capstone Option.
Required Courses for Systems Engineering Concentration | ||
| ME 503 | Unmanned and Autonomous Vehicle Systems | 3 |
| SYS 505 | System Safety and Certification | 3 |
| SYS 530 | System Requirements Analysis and Modeling | 3 |
| UAS 501 | Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Design | 3 |
| SE 535/600 | User Interface Design and Evaluation | 3 |
Elective Courses for Systems Engineering Concentration | ||
| Three (3) Electives | 9 | |
Capstone for Systems Engineering Concentration | ||
| UAS 691 | Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Capstone Design Project I | 3 |
| UAS 692 | Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Capstone Design Project II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Approved Electives
| AE 502 | Strength and Fatigue of Materials | 3 |
| AE 506 | Airplane Dynamic Stability | 3 |
| AE 516 | Computational Aeronautical Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| AE 522 | Analysis of Aircraft Composite Materials | 3 |
| AE 526 | Engineering Optimization | 3 |
| AE 610 | Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| AE 631 | Aeroacoustics | 3 |
| AE 640 | Turbine Engine Propulsion Systems | 3 |
| CEC 510 | Digital Signal Processing | 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 |
| EE 500 | Digital Control Systems | 3 |
| EE 505 | Advanced Mechatronics | 3 |
| EE 525 | Avionics and Radio Navigation | 3 |
| EE 529 | Electro-Optical Systems | 3 |
| EE 625 | Satellite-Based Communications and Navigation | 3 |
| ME 520 | Sensor Processing with Applications | 3 |
| ME 523 | Modeling and Simulation of Linear Dynamic Systems | 3 |
| ME 613 | Advanced Model-Based Control Design | 3 |
| ME 614 | Multidisciplinary Design Optimization | 3 |
| ME 615 | Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning | 3 |
| SE 535 | User Interface Design and Evaluation | 3 |
| SE 600 | User Interface Design for Unmanned Systems | 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 |
| SYS 660 | Organizational Systems Management | 3 |
Additional Approved Electives (Systems Engineering AOC Only)
ERAU-WW courses (limit1, Systems Engineering AOC only)
- UNSY 601: Unmanned Systems Command, Control, and Communication
- UNSY 605: Unmanned System Sensing, Perception, and Processing
- UNSY 610: Unmanned System Autonomy and Automation
- UNSY 615: Unmanned Systems Power, Propulsion and Maneuvering
Get Started Now:
Degree Summary
30 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
The Engineering Programs
Daytona Beach, FL Campus
Project Aims to Help Engineering Students Succeed
Meet the New Director of Campus Safety & Security
Embry-Riddle, UCF Partner to Map Oyster Reefs Using UAS
Outstanding Researcher of the Year Wins $1.3M NASA Award
Students and Faculty Provide Weather Tracking for World War II-Era Planes
Q&A: Embry-Riddle Stands at the Forefront of Booming Drone Business
Father and Daughter to Graduate with Master’s Degrees in Engineering Management
Counter-Drone Technology to be Commercialized by Embry-Riddle and Drone Defense Systems LLC
About Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Engineering at the Worldwide & Online Campus
The Master of Science in Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Engineering provides students with an education focused on gaining and applying knowledge necessary for success within the unmanned systems industry. The 30-credit-hour degree program includes rigorous, multidisciplinary coursework designed to provide a flexible, online, graduate-level experience. This program prepares graduates for an emerging industry that designs, develops and supports systems capable of operating along the spectrum, from remotely controlled to fully autonomous systems.
Gain a competitive edge
Our comprehensive curriculum guides students into a systematic understanding of unmanned and autonomous systems. Through the coursework, students receive a diverse education, including core topics such as:
- Addressing the needs and opportunities of the public and commercial (civil) communities through development and design of unmanned systems and their associated elements (subsystems and components)
- Examining and proposing innovative solutions to support evolving needs from the field, including compliance with design and operational requirements, enhancing system performance and adaptability, and integration of current and emerging technologies
- Participating in an interactive, inquiry-based learning approach to education, with significant opportunity to explore topics connected to personal goals
- Gaining specialized knowledge to support the development, application, and advancement of the unmanned systems technology
- Attaining essential experience investigating and addressing design and development challenges within the industry, including integration, spectrum management, system performance, and autonomy
- Developing and refining knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to identify trends, analyze requirements, develop strategies, recommend solutions, recognize opportunities for innovation, and clearly communicate from a rich knowledge and experience base
- Learning and applying fundamental skills necessary to establish or advance a successful career in today’s competitive and collaborative working environment
The degree culminates with a two-term capstone project in which students develop a technical solution to a critical, real world challenge.
Master your field while maintaining your career
With our flexible online platform, you can interact with professors and students on your schedule, from anywhere in the world. Since the classes can be taken at your convenience, you can adjust your schedule to accommodate any career or family disruptions. No commute, no rigid classroom hours, and no demanding schedule. Embry-Riddle provides an education designed to fit your needs.
The 30-credit, online Master of Science in Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Engineering (MSUASE) program enables career establishment and advancement in a rapidly changing field through the development of innovative solutions operating along the spectrum of autonomy, including unmanned aircraft, autonomous cars, robotic surface and underwater vessels, spacecraft, and industrial robots. The degree is built on rigorous multidisciplinary coursework designed to provide a flexible, online, graduate educational option to develop and demonstrate knowledge attainment through project-based experiences. The curriculum features integration and application of concepts, protocols, and techniques in unmanned and autonomous systems: systems engineering, architecture, and design; safety and certification; requirements development analysis; modeling; command, control, and communication (C3); and human factors. Through the review of design, performance, and operational specifications to system testing and evaluation of end-to-end solutions, students gain comprehensive insight and practical experience affecting development, acquisition, fielding, and sustainment of unmanned system designs.
The MSUASE culminates in a two-term capstone project, conducted independently or in a team setting, to develop a technical solution to a critical real world challenge and leading to publication (e.g., conference paper, journal article, or technical report).
Program-Specific Criteria
Prerequisite Knowledge
Subject knowledge for a specific graduate course must be satisfied before enrollment in that course is permitted. Students may enroll in graduate level courses only if they meet prerequisite knowledge requirements. Applicants to the MSUASE program must meet the following requirements:
- Have completed a bachelor’s degree in an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited engineering program, international equivalent, or closely related engineering discipline.
NOTE: Graduates of Embry-Riddle’s Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Science (BSUASS), BS in Unmanned Systems Application (BSUSA), BS in Engineering Technology (BSET), and BS in Engineering (BSE) degree programs may be admitted, conditionally, upon completion of undergraduate engineering courses requisite for knowledge and skills, to be specified at the time of admission. - Have superior academic records with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0;
- Complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE; applicable to those without an ABET accredited or approved ERAU degree, as designated above);
- Submit a complete application package, including resume, three (3) letters of recommendation, and statement of objectives
NOTE: International applicants whose primary language is not English must also achieve the minimum score requirement of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Test System (IELTS) as required by the University.
| SYSE 500 | Fundamentals of Systems Engineering | 3 |
| UASE 501 | Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems Design | 3 |
| SYSE 505 | System Safety and Certification | 3 |
| SYSE 530 | System Requirements Analysis and Modeling | 3 |
| ASCI 531 | Robotics and Control | 3 |
| UNSY 601 | Unmanned Systems Command, Control, and Communications | 3 |
| SYSE 610 | System Architecture Design and Modeling | 3 |
| ASCI 638 | Human Factors in Unmanned Aerospace Systems | 3 |
| UASE 691 | Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Capstone Design Project I | 3 |
| UASE 692 | Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Capstone Design Project II | 3 |
| Total Degree Requirements | 30 | |
Get Started Now:
Degree Summary
30 Credits
Estimate your tuition by using the Tuition Calculator
View Financial Aid Information
Learn more about the benefits of an Online Degree
Learn about our General Education
Student Achievement Information
Find out about transferring credits to this degree
Learn more about our Veterans & Military benefits
View our Academic Calendar
Search Courses for this degree