Bachelor of Science in
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
The FAA-certified B.S. in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems prepares graduates to enter the UAS field with an understanding of business, regulatory and security issues.
About the Bachelor of Science in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University is a leader in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) curriculum, launching the first accredited program in the country. Students enrolled in the program explore coursework in aeronautical science, uncrewed aircraft systems, computer science, engineering, geographic information systems (GIS) and service learning.
Embry‑Riddle’s Bachelor of Science in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills of UAS, emphasizing mission planning and execution, remote pilot operations, data collection and data processing.
Student Learning Outcomes
Learning opportunities you will have while studying in the drone program:
- Remote Sensing
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Aviation Safety
- UAS Maintenance
- Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Career Opportunities
Careers and Employers
Embry-Riddle graduates often find careers at Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Caci International and the U.S. Military, with a placement rate of 83.3% within a year of graduation.
Students earning a UAS degree often pursue careers as:
- Sensor Operator
- Operations Director
- Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Systems Specialist
- Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Analyst
- Remote Pilot in Command (RPICs)
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Salary Information
Embry-Riddle provides the opportunity for competitive salaries, with alumni averaging $81,200 annually one year post-graduation, as of 2022.
DETAILS
About Uncrewed Aircraft Systems at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus
The Uncrewed Aircraft Systems degree at Embry‑Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus is one of only a few in the nation. Housed in the Department of Aeronautical Science in the College of Aviation, the program provides students with access to the latest in automated technologies, state-of-the-art facilities and internationally recognized expert faculty.
Students in the program will be exposed to flight in actual environments, including Beyond-Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Operations using Remote Split Operations techniques. Flight experience, along with FAA and industry certifications gained throughout the curriculum, allow students to conduct flight operations as part of a two-part applied practicum.
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Information
- Credits: 122
- Online or In-Person: In-Person
- Practicum: UAS Practicum I & UAS Practicum II
Helpful Links
- Tour Our Daytona Beach Campus
- Discover the Department's Faculty
- Explore the Fields of Study: Space & Aviation
- Find Related Clubs & Organizations
General Education Requirements
For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog. These minimum requirements are applicable to all degree programs.
Communication Theory and Skills (COM 122 and COM 219 and COM 221) | 9 | |
Lower-Level Humanities * | 3 | |
Lower-Level Social Science (PSY 101 required) | 3 | |
Lower or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences * | 3 | |
Upper-Level Humanities/Social Science * | 3 | |
Computer Science (CS 118 or CYB 235) | 3 | |
Mathematics (MA 111 and MA 112) | 6 | |
Physical Science (PS 113, PS 117, PS 113L or PS 117L) | 7 | |
Total Credits | 37 |
Aeronautical Knowledge
AS 121 | Private Pilot Operations | 5 |
AS 220 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
AS 309 | Aerodynamics | 3 |
UA 100 | Remote Pilot Operations | 2 |
Total Credits | 13 |
Geospatial Data Acquisition and Processing
AS 241 | UAS Systems Architecture and Integration | 3 |
or AS 235 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operation and Cross-Country Data Entry | |
AS 368 | UAS Sensing Systems | 3 |
AS 390 | Application of UAS Technology | 3 |
GEO 210 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
GEO 310 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
UA 201 | Mapping Applications and Data Collection with UAS | 1 |
Total Credits | 16 |
Operations and Leadership
AS 222 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Security | 3 |
AS 315 | UAS Robotics | 3 |
AS 322 | Operational and Industrial Aspects of UAS | 3 |
or AS 319 | UAS Law | |
AS 323 | Crew Resource Management for UAS | 3 |
AS 423 | UAS Infrastructure Development and Modeling | 3 |
AS 473 | Operational Applications in Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
Total Credits | 18 |
Technical Skills Development
AS 416 | UAS Field Service and Sustainment | 3 |
AS 437 | Concepts in Advanced Air Mobility | 3 |
UA 301 | Advanced UAS Flight Operations | 1 |
UA 401 | UAS Mission Application | 1 |
Total Credits | 8 |
Program Support
EGR 120 | Graphical Communications | 3 |
or EGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | |
AT 202 | Introduction to Air Traffic Management | 3 |
HF 300 | Human Factors I: Principles and Fundamentals | 3 |
Total Credits | 9 |
Service Learning
UA 390 | UAS Practicum I | 3 |
UA 490 | UAS Practicum II | 3 |
Total Credits | 6 |
Open Electives
Upper Level Open Electives - 300-400 | 6 | |
Open Electives - Any Level | 9 | |
Total Credits | 15 |
Total Credit Hours | 122 |
Note: Refer to Undergraduate Academic Regulations and Procedures section for credit for flight training at other institutions.
After matriculation to Embry-Riddle, all flight training must be completed on-campus to earn the Unmanned Aircraft Systems degree.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Credits | ||
UA 100 | Remote Pilot Operations | 2 |
AS 121 | Private Pilot Operations | 5 |
AS 220 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
EGR 120 | Graphical Communications | 3 |
or EGR 115
|
Introduction to Computing for Engineers | |
CS 118 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
or CYB 235
|
Computer and Network Technologies | |
MA 111 | Pre-Calculus for Aviation | 3 |
MA 112 | Applied Calculus for Aviation | 3 |
HU 14X Humanities Elective | 3 | |
COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
Credits Subtotal | 31.0 | |
Year Two | ||
AS 222 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems Security | 3 |
AS 241 | UAS Systems Architecture and Integration | 3 |
or AS 235
|
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operation and Cross-Country Data Entry | |
AS 323 | Crew Resource Management for UAS | 3 |
AT 202 | Introduction to Air Traffic Management | 3 |
COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
GEO 210 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
GEO 310 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
PS 113 | Introductory Physics I | 3 |
PS 117 | Introductory Physics II | 3 |
PS 113L | Introductory Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
or PS 117L
|
Introductory Physics II Lab | |
PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Credits Subtotal | 31.0 | |
Year Three | ||
AS 309 | Aerodynamics | 3 |
AS 315 | UAS Robotics | 3 |
AS 322 | Operational and Industrial Aspects of UAS | 3 |
or AS 319
|
UAS Law | |
AS 368 | UAS Sensing Systems | 3 |
AS 390 | Application of UAS Technology | 3 |
AS 416 | UAS Field Service and Sustainment | 3 |
AS 437 | Concepts in Advanced Air Mobility | 3 |
HF 300 | Human Factors I: Principles and Fundamentals | 3 |
HU/SS Lower or Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
Open Elective - Upper Level | 3 | |
UA 201 | Mapping Applications and Data Collection with UAS | 1 |
Credits Subtotal | 31.0 | |
Year Four | ||
AS 423 | UAS Infrastructure Development and Modeling | 3 |
AS 473 | Operational Applications in Unmanned Aircraft Systems | 3 |
HU/SS Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
Open Elective - Upper Level | 3 | |
Open Elective | 9 | |
UA 301 | Advanced UAS Flight Operations | 1 |
UA 390 | UAS Practicum I | 3 |
UA 401 | UAS Mission Application | 1 |
UA 490 | UAS Practicum II | 3 |
Credits Subtotal | 29.0 | |
Credits Total: | 122 |
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Summary
122 Credits
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