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Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations - B.S.

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations program provides you with the knowledge and skills to become a successful drone pilot and work in industries such as agriculture, public safety and more. With hands-on training, cutting-edge technology and experienced faculty, you'll be equipped to navigate the skies with confidence. Enroll now and soar towards a promising career in unmanned aircraft systems.

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Bachelor’s Degree in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations

91²Ö¿â’s Bachelor of Science degree in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations is for students who aspire to become professional unmanned aircraft pilots (drone pilot). This program is focused on the safe operation of unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV), the technical design of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and regulations and policies related to Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), including safety, certification, communication, control, and performance.

Program Information for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations - B.S.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations is for students who aspire to become professional unmanned aircraft pilots (drone pilot). This program is focused on the safe operations of unmanned aircraft systems, regulations, the technology of autonomous systems and policies regarding the operations of unmanned aerial elements.

The mission of the Bachelor of Science degree in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations is to cultivate a new generation of professionals equipped with the knowledge, skills and technological awareness to excel in the dynamic field of unmanned aviation, and provide students with a comprehensive education that combines cutting-edge technological expertise with a deep understanding of the regulatory, operational and safety considerations essential to the responsible and effective use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM).

Students may apply early to the and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Admissions for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations - B.S.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the .

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to 91²Ö¿â’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former 91²Ö¿â students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since 91²Ö¿â may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's .

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the program's Coursework tab.

Transfer students must have a minimum 2.250 overall GPA in all college-level coursework for admission to the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations major.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of unmanned aircraft systems, including their design, operation and maintenance. 
  2. Demonstrate the ability to effectively plan, execute and manage UAS missions for a variety of applications, ensuring optimal performance, data accuracy and safety.  
  3. Interpret and apply current and future regulations related to airspace, privacy, safety and data protection. 
  4. Demonstrate and employ critical thinking and problem solving techniques when unexpected issues arise to make informed decisions, adapt strategies and ensure the successful completion of missions while prioritizing safety and mission goals.

The educational objectives of the program are the following:

  1. Exhibit the qualities of excellence, integrity, leadership, management and professionalism within their area of professional specialization in aviation.  
  2. Demonstrate a professional commitment to safety and contribute to the safety culture within their area of professional specialization in aviation.   
  3. Demonstrate the ability to improve aerospace for generations to come through experiential learning, creativity and innovation within their area of professional specialization in aviation. 
  4. Manifest the college’s core values in the areas of collaboration, compassion, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity, respect and perseverance within their area of professional specialization in aviation.  
Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
AERN 15000INTRODUCTION TO AERONAUTICS 3
AERN 15745NON-PILOT ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY 3
AERN 25100INTRODUCTION TO AVIATION MANAGEMENT 3
AERN 25250ELEMENTS OF AVIATION WEATHER 3
AERN 25350FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 2
AERN 25351FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL LABORATORY 1
AERN 25800INTRODUCTION TO UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS 3
AERN 30000PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN AERONAUTICS 1
AERN 35020AIRCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEMS 3
AERN 35040AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS I 3
AERN 35250UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS LAW AND REGULATIONS 2
AERN 35650NON-PILOT INSTRUMENT FLIGHT THEORY 3
AERN 35810UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS 3
AERN 35830UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS SENSING AND SENSOR SYSTEMS 3
AERN 35840UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS COMMAND, CONTROL AND COMMUNICATIONS 3
AERN 35892SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FLIGHT PRACTICUM (ELR) 2
AERN 45030AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS II 3
AERN 45130PHYSIOLOGY AND HUMAN FACTORS OF FLIGHT 3
AERN 45135AVIATION SAFETY THEORY 3
AERN 45150APPLIED FLIGHT DYNAMICS I 3
AERN 45250AVIATION LAW 3
AERN 45791AVIATION SECURITY AND POLICY SEMINAR (WIC) 13
AERN 45800UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FLIGHT OPERATIONS THEORY 4
AERN 45892UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FLIGHT PRACTICUM (ELR) 2
ENGR 45151APPLIED FLIGHT DYNAMICS II 3
Aeronautics (AERN) Electives6
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
COMM 15000INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
MATH 11010ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
MATH 11022TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
PHY 13001GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4
PHY 13012COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) 2
PHY 13021GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1
PHY 13022GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB) 1
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
6
9
6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)7
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.500 2.000
Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
AERN 15000 INTRODUCTION TO AERONAUTICS 3
AERN 25800 INTRODUCTION TO UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS 3
MATH 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Two
AERN 15745 NON-PILOT ELEMENTS OF FLIGHT THEORY 3
AERN 25350 FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 2
AERN 25351 FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL LABORATORY 1
MATH 11022 TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
Aeronautics (AERN) Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
AERN 25100 INTRODUCTION TO AVIATION MANAGEMENT 3
AERN 25250 ELEMENTS OF AVIATION WEATHER 3
AERN 35810 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
AERN 35830 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS SENSING AND SENSOR SYSTEMS 3
COMM 15000 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
PHY 13001 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4
PHY 13021 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Five
AERN 30000 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN AERONAUTICS 1
AERN 35020 AIRCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEMS 3
AERN 35892 SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FLIGHT PRACTICUM (ELR) 2
PHY 13012 COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) 2
PHY 13022 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Aeronautics (AERN) Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
AERN 35040 AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS I 3
AERN 35650 NON-PILOT INSTRUMENT FLIGHT THEORY 3
AERN 45150 APPLIED FLIGHT DYNAMICS I 3
AERN 45250 AVIATION LAW 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
AERN 35840 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS COMMAND, CONTROL AND COMMUNICATIONS 3
AERN 45030 AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS II 3
AERN 45130 PHYSIOLOGY AND HUMAN FACTORS OF FLIGHT 3
ENGR 45151 APPLIED FLIGHT DYNAMICS II 3
General Electives 4
 Credit Hours16
Semester Eight
AERN 35250 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS LAW AND REGULATIONS 2
AERN 45135 AVIATION SAFETY THEORY 3
AERN 45791 AVIATION SECURITY AND POLICY SEMINAR (WIC) 3
AERN 45800 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FLIGHT OPERATIONS THEORY 4
AERN 45892 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FLIGHT PRACTICUM (ELR) 2
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Student Achievement Data

Program Educational Goals

With the guidance of both the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 91²Ö¿â and the College of Aeronautics and Engineering assesses our program’s educational goals every two years. Our Program Educational Goals are as follows:

  • Graduates will exhibit the qualities of excellence, integrity, leadership, management, and professionalism within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
  • Graduates will demonstrate a professional commitment to safety and contribute to the safety culture within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
  • Graduates will demonstrate the ability to improve aerospace for generations to come through experiential learning, creativity, and innovation within their area of professional specialization in aviation.
  • Graduates will manifest the college’s core values in the areas of collaboration, compassion, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity, respect, and perseverance within their area of professional specialization in aviation.

Several methods to gather both direct and indirect assessment data over the course of each academic year are utilized. Data is gathered to improve student's learning and strengthen our relationships with industry. Some methods used include:

  • Surveys (Graduating Senior, Alumni, and Employer Surveys)
  • Capstone Projects
  • Aeronautics Advisory Committee Feedback
  • Degree Program Review
  • Faculty Assessment and Discussion of Student Learning Outcomes

The assessment of our goals starts with the University’s vision to Promote academic excellence and enhance student learning through a culture of evidence-based decision-making. The valuable data we collect from our assessment activities is analyzed and discussed amongst our Faculty to ensure we are making value added improvements to our programs.

Program Enrollment and Graduation Data

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations; Enrolled
201820192020202120222023
--471118
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations; Graduated
201820192020202120222023
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Student Retention Rates
TermFreshman CohortRetentionSO-JRJR-SRAfter 4 YrsAfter 5 YrsAfter 6 Yrs
2018------ 
2019-----  
20201100%100%100%   
20212100%50%    
2022450%     
20234      

Approved Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Collegiate Training Initiative (UAS-CTI) School

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