Aerospace, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Concentration, B.S.

Program Overview

MTSU's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations concentration within the B.S. in Aerospace degree prepares students for careers in the rapidly growing UAS industry. The program includes hands-on courses in building and flying UAS, manned pilot training, and core aerospace courses. Graduates can pursue careers in various fields, including agriculture, public safety, photography, and defense. The program is designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for successful careers in aerospace.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

MTSU's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations concentration, within the B.S. in Aerospace degree, is the first of its kind in the state and one of only a handful in the United States. This newest Aerospace concentration includes hands-on courses on building and flying unmanned aircraft systems, manned pilot training to earn a private pilot license, core aerospace courses, and participation with industry partners. Graduates can pursue careers in desired industries from agriculture, public safety, photography, media, disaster response/management, the power industry, defense department positions, and an endless list of others. The mission of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations Concentration is to prepare our students to become the leaders of the next generation of aerospace professionals by developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for successful careers in aerospace.

Outline:

• Aerospace Core Requirement (13 hours)
• AERO 1010 - Introduction to Aerospace
• AERO 1020 - Theory of Flight
• AERO 3020 - Aerospace Materials
• AERO 3030 - Propulsion Fundamentals
• AERO 4040 - Professional Aviation Pathways
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations Concentration (30 hours)
• AERO 1710 - Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• AERO 2010 - Aviation Weather
• AERO 2201 - Professional Pilot Flight Lab I OR AERO 2201 - Professional Pilot Flight Lab I
• AERO 2710 - sUAS Remote Pilot Certification
• AERO 3170 - Aviation Safety
• AERO 3210 - Professional Pilot II OR AERO 3210 - Professional Pilot II
• AERO 3510 - Instrument Operations in the National Airspace System
• AERO 3710 - Unmanned Aircraft AND AERO 3710 - Unmanned Aircraft
• AERO 3711 - Unmanned Aircraft Lab
• AERO 3720 - Unmanned Aircraft Systems AND AERO 3720 - Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• AERO 3721 - Unmanned Aircraft Systems Lab
• AERO 3730 - Unmanned Remote Sensing AND AERO 3730 - Unmanned Remote Sensing
• AERO 3731 - Unmanned Remote Sensing Lab
• AERO 4700 - Advanced UAS Operations and Applications AND AERO 4700 - Advanced UAS Operations and Applications
• AERO 4701 - Advanced UAS Operations and Applications Lab
• AERO 4710 - Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Capstone
• Supporting Courses (8-9 hours)
• EXL 4000 - Experiential Learning Seminar
• MATH 1710 - College Algebra OR MATH 1710 - College Algebra
• MATH 1810 - Applied Calculus I OR MATH 1810 - Applied Calculus I
• MATH 1910 - Calculus IMATH 1910 - Calculus I
• PHYS 2010 - Non-Calculus-Based Physics I AND PHYS 2010 - Non-Calculus-Based Physics I
• PHYS 2011 - Physics Problems Laboratory I
• OR
• PHYS 2110 - Calculus-Based Physics I AND PHYS 2110 - Calculus-Based Physics I
• PHYS 2111 - Calculus-Based Physics Laboratory I
• Minor (15-18 hours)
• Choose from the following:
• Agriculture Minor
• Archaeology Minor
• Business Administration Minor
• Construction Management Minor
• Engineering Technology Minor
• Management Minor
• Photography Minor
• Precision Agriculture Minor
• Video and Film Production Minor

Careers:

Graduates in the new UAS Operations concentration will be a part of a rising business sector expected to bring 70,000 new jobs with starting salaries of $50,000 or higher and to contribute $13.6 billion to the U.S. economy by 2018-20. The program is designed for students who have an interest in unmanned aviation — whether that is flying the UAS, providing support services (consulting, data analysis, UAS construction/modification/repair, etc. ), or in managerial roles at a company operating UAS. The concentration is expected to create new operators, consultants, managers, and leaders who will thrive in the UAS industry.