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This specialization builds foundational and applied expertise in unmanned aerial systems (UAS)/drones, covering flight principles, platform types, propulsion and aerodynamics, and sensor payloads such as optical, LiDAR, thermal, and radar. Learners gain the skills to select, evaluate, and apply UAS technology to real-world research, commercial, and industrial applications, including deriving data products like photogrammetry and 3D models.

Syllabus

Course 1: Introduction to Unmanned Aerial Systems/Drone Technology
Course 2: UAS/Drone Technology: Aircraft Design and Performance
Course 3: UAS/Drone Technology: Sensors and Payloads

Courses

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Learn Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and drone technology from the ground up in this beginner-friendly introduction course. Drones are transforming industries worldwide, from agriculture and construction to public safety and film, just as computers and smartphones once reshaped everyday life. Whether you're new to drone technology or looking to build a solid foundation in UAS, this course covers everything you need to get started: what unmanned aerial systems are, the industries putting them to work, core UAS terminology and key concepts, and the practical considerations every UAS operator should know. You'll also learn the correct industry terminology and why professionals avoid the word "drone" in technical and regulatory contexts. Perfect for aspiring drone pilots, UAS enthusiasts, and anyone exploring careers in the growing drone industry.
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This course introduces the sensors onboard Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and how they integrate with platform subsystems, including the accelerometer, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and GPS. These core sensors are critical to UAS flight and navigation, but they're just the starting point: a wide variety of sensors are available for UAS payloads, each opening up new applications worth exploring in greater detail. By the end of this course, you'll discover new sensors and payload applications across the drone industry, build a foundational understanding of the science and technology behind them, and gain the knowledge needed to select the right sensor for your specific UAS application, whether for mapping, inspection, agriculture, public safety, or other real-world use cases.
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This course takes a deeper dive into Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), exploring the aircraft, components, and design decisions that make drone technology work in the real world. You'll learn to identify and describe the major components of UAS systems, including the aircraft itself, ground control systems and equipment, launch and recovery systems, and the critical role humans play and understand why UAS function as complete, holistic systems rather than standalone aircraft. From there, we dig into platform selection: how factors like aircraft configuration, aerodynamics, mass, propulsion, power systems, and subsystems all influence which UAS platform is right for a given mission. You'll evaluate and compare the benefits and drawbacks of different UAS aircraft components and characteristics, building the skills to make informed, mission-specific decisions across a wide range of drone applications and use cases. Finally, you'll explore the trade-offs inherent in aircraft performance . Recognizing that improvements in one area (like speed or payload) often come at the cost of another (like endurance or maneuverability) and learn to select an aircraft configuration based on real-world performance metrics. By the end of this course, you'll be equipped to evaluate UAS platforms with the technical depth needed for real-world drone applications, whether you're pursuing a career in the UAS industry or deepening your expertise in unmanned aircraft systems.