Master of Science in
Unmanned Systems
Embry-Riddle’s Master of Science in Unmanned Systems is a non-engineering degree that focuses on this emerging industry by addressing topics including policy design, ethics, and systems management. Students will gain knowledge in many areas that contribute to the successful operation of missions supported by unmanned systems along a spectrum of autonomy levels — from remote-controlled to human-supervised to fully autonomous. Embry-Riddle has been a pioneering institution in the field of unmanned and robotics education, and its Master of Science in Unmanned Systems degree provides students with an education focused on the application, development, and management of unmanned systems, policies and regulations, and related technology necessary to support the growing and dynamic needs of the industry.
Students will choose a specialization in one of eight areas:
- Aeronautics and Design
- Human Factors
- Space Systems
- Safety/Emergency Response
- Operations
- Education
- Aviation/Aerospace Management
- Aviation/Aerospace Research
This program supports the growth, innovative development, and effective use of unmanned system technology across the respective domains (air, space, ground, and maritime) to address major challenges within the industry, including interoperability, autonomy, airspace integration, communications, education and training, propulsion and power, teaming, and regulation.
ERAU provides an interactive learning environment to acquire and apply knowledge, work in independent and team settings, communicate across a geographically and experientially diverse population, and assume leadership roles, which represent the fundamental skills necessary to establish or advance a successful career in today’s competitive and collaborative working environment.
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.
ERAU-Worldwide Unmanned Systems Related Career Opportunities
DEGREE DETAILS
About Unmanned Systems at the Worldwide & Online Campus
The M.S. in Unmanned Systems degree program at ERAU’s Worldwide & Online Campus examines the application, development, and management of unmanned systems. Designed for anyone from recent undergraduates to experienced professionals, this master’s degree program will complement a student’s existing professional interests or can evolve into an entirely new field of expertise.
As part of the ERAU family, Worldwide & Online Campus students learn from distinguished faculty members whose professional experience complements their academic backgrounds.
Degree concentrations include: unmanned aerospace system; aeronautics and design; human factors; space systems; safety/emergency response; operations; education; aviation/aerospace management; and aviation/aerospace research.
Core unmanned systems coursework covers topics such as: the application of unmanned systems; robotics and controls; autonomy and automation; power, propulsion, and maneuvering; and other courses focused on the technologies and systems that provide economic, research, and productivity gains across a multitude of industries and operational environments, including air, space, surface, and maritime domains.
Advanced knowledge in these specialized areas will give graduates an edge when competing for jobs in the unmanned industry.
With ERAU’s online educational opportunities and over 130 global locations, students have the flexibility to learn at a campus near them or even in their own home.
Unmanned systems range from small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) used to explore volcanoes and other dangerous environments to robotic rovers operating on distant planetary bodies, all with the common goal of ensuring safe, efficient, and effective operations. The Master of Science in Unmanned Systems (MSUS) degree provides students with an education focused on the application, development, and management of unmanned systems, policies and regulations, and related technology necessary to support the growing and dynamic needs of the industry.
This program supports the growth, innovative development, and effective use of unmanned system technology across the respective domains (air, space, ground, and maritime) to address major challenges within the industry, including interoperability, autonomy, airspace integration, communications, education and training, propulsion and power, teaming, and regulation.
The MSUS provides an interactive learning environment to acquire and apply knowledge, work in independent and team settings, communicate across a geographically and experientially diverse population, and assume leadership roles, which represent the fundamental skills necessary to establish or advance a successful career in today’s competitive and collaborative working environment.
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 for admission to the Master of Science in Unmanned Systems (MSUS) program must have prerequisite knowledge in the following areas:
- Quantitative Methods
Students should assume responsibility to see that prerequisites are satisfied. The prerequisite subject knowledge for a specific graduate course must be satisfied before enrollment in that specific course is permitted. Students may enroll in other graduate level courses as they meet any specific prerequisite knowledge required.
The prerequisite knowledge can be validated through one of the following:
- Completed an undergraduate or graduate course in each of the specific subject areas and upon validation of the course from an official transcript;-OR-
- Completed a course listed in either the National or ACE Guide for which academic credit in one of the specific subject areas is recommended; -OR-
- Received at least the minimum recommended score on a CLEP, DSST/DANTES, PEP, etc. exam in each of the subject areas as required.
| ASCI 531 | Robotics and Control | 3 |
| UNSY 501 | Application of Unmanned Systems | 3 |
| UNSY 601 | Unmanned Systems Command, Control, and Communications | 3 |
| UNSY 605 | Unmanned Systems Sensing, Perception, and Processing | 3 |
| UNSY 610 | Unmanned Systems Autonomy and Automation | 3 |
| UNSY 615 | Unmanned Systems Power, Propulsion, and Maneuvering | 3 |
| RSCH 665 | Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| RSCH 670 | Research Methods | 3 |
| UNSY 691 | Graduate Capstone Course | 3 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Electives
| Electives | 9 | |
| Select one elective concentration from the following areas (includes three specific courses per): | ||
| Total Degree Requirements | 36 | |
Concentrations:
Unmanned Aerospace Systems (UAS) Concentration
| ASCI 530 | Unmanned Aerospace Systems | 3 |
| ASCI 637 | Unmanned Aerospace Systems Operations and Payloads | 3 |
| ASCI 638 | Human Factors in Unmanned Aerospace Systems | 3 |
Aeronautics and Design Concentration
| ASCI 509 | Advanced Aerodynamics | 3 |
| ASCI 515 | Aviation/Aerospace Simulation Systems | 3 |
| ASCI 623 | Aircraft Design and Development | 3 |
Human Factors Concentration
| ASCI 634 | Aviation/Aerospace Psychology | 3 |
| ASCI 638 | Human Factors in Unmanned Aerospace Systems | 3 |
| ASCI 660 | Sensation and Perception | 3 |
Space Systems Concentration
| ASCI 511 | Earth Observation and Remote Sensing | 3 |
| ASCI 512 | Space Mission and Launch Operations | 3 |
| ASCI 601 | Applications in Space: Commerce, Defense, and Exploration | 3 |
Safety/Emergency Response Concentration
| SFTY 540 | Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response | 3 |
| ASCI 621 | Aviation/Aerospace Safety Program Management | 3 |
| SFTY 630 | System Safety Programs | 3 |
Operations Concentration
| ASCI 606 | Global Air Traffic Control and Management | 3 |
| ASCI 637 | Unmanned Aerospace Systems Operations and Payloads | 3 |
| ASCI 645 | Airport Operations and Management | 3 |
Education Concentration
| ASCI 550 | Aviation Education Foundations | 3 |
| ASCI 614 | Advanced Aviation/Aerospace Curriculum Development | 3 |
| ASCI 654 | Adult Teaching and Learning Techniques | 3 |
Aviation/Aerospace Management Concentration
| BUSW 500 | Business Foundations | 3 |
| MGMT 524 | Management Science | 3 |
| MGMT 651 | Production and Procurement in the Aviation and Aerospace Industry | 3 |
Aviation/Aerospace Research Concentration
| ASCI 530 | Unmanned Aerospace Systems | 3 |
| ASCI 638 | Human Factors in Unmanned Aerospace Systems | 3 |
| ASCI 643 | Management of Research and Development for the Aviation/Aerospace Industry | 3 |
Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Operation Concentration
Students declaring the sUAS Operation Concentration or registering for courses within it must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must be physically located within the U.S. when registering for and while participating in the UNSY 520 course. Students must contact their Academic Advisor regarding additional cost, possible travel, and FAA Testing, prior to enrolling in the first course of this concentration, UNSY 515. Those already in possession of an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certificate, prior to starting the concentration, may complete ASCI 530, in lieu of UNSY 515 to ensure sufficient credit, research experience, and topical exposure.
| UNSY 515 | sUAS Operation Fundamentals | 3 |
| UNSY 520 | sUAS Practical Application and Assessment | 3 |
| UNSY 620 | sUAS Operational Planning and Safety Management | 3 |
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Degree Summary
36 Credits
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