Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations
With airspace to conduct large and small UAS operations, come to Grand Forks and you’ll join a robust UAS ecosystem that puts you on the cutting edge of what’s next in the industry.
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have gone from strictly military use, to a wide variety of life-saving and commercial applications. Now rapidly growing as an industry and taking a foothold in North Dakota, you’ll learn to fly unmanned aircraft and find solutions to tomorrow’s problems alongside innovative start-ups, established industry giants, and government agencies.
- Program type:
- Major
- Format:
- On Campus
- Est. time to complete:
- 4 years
- Credit hours:
- 120
Why become an unmanned aircraft systems operator?
Unmanned Aircraft Systems at UND
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Learn the skills to perform and coordinate strategies in UAS operational environments, as well as solve problems as they arise.
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Gain UAS airmanship skills commensurate with a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating.
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Gain essential knowledge in UAS related topics such as industry trends, ground and flight systems, remote sensing, aerodynamics, human factors, safety, crew resource management, UAS law and policy. These are all key principles common to UAS operations.
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Various UAS Internships are available locally. Upon receiving a Part 107 Remote pilot certificate, various UAS Internships are available locally for summ / part-time employment.
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UND was among the first institutions selected for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) new Collegiate Training Initiative for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
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In 2020, students in UND's flight training programs (plane, helicopter, UAS) broke a record for hours flown (126,000).
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UND received the most FAA grants to study drones in 2021. UND is the lead research university on mitigating GPS and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast risks, shielded UAS operations-detect and avoid (DAA), and UAS flight data.
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UND signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to collaborate on UAS operations, training and research.
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Non-aviation majors also have the opportunity to obtain a minor in UAS Operations to use in their particular discipline.
What can you do with a degree in unmanned aircraft systems?
UAS Degree Courses
Leader in UAS
Are you passionate about aviation and cutting-edge technology? Learn how you'll be hands-on with equipment on the the forefront of the UAS industry.