Unmanned Aircraft Systems Minor

Why minor in Unmanned Aircraft System Operations?

UND's Grand Forks campus has been called "the Silicon Valley of unmanned aircraft systems" by the New York Times. Our students are given the opportunity to interact with small and large UAS companies such as Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, and Customs Border Protection. Flights are conducted regularly where UND flight students are jointly flying next to unmanned aircraft in the National Airspace System.

Accredited UAS Program

UND Aerospace was the first four year degree UAS Operation program to receive Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) Accreditation for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). AABI Policy 3.4.2 Compliance.

What majors pair well with a Unmanned Aircraft Systems minor?

*Due to the significant overlap in coursework, students who have declared an Aviation major are not eligible to add an Aviation minor.

UND's UAS minor takes a multi-disciplinary approach to education recognizing the diverse use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in various fields. Obtain a UAS minor and gain the necessary knowledge and skill to effectively and safely use unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) in your chosen profession. Here are some bachelor's degrees that complement a minor in Unmanned Aircraft Systems:

• Aerospace Engineering Degree: An Aerospace Engineering major provides a comprehensive understanding of aircraft design, propulsion systems, and aerodynamics, which are essential for developing and optimizing unmanned aircraft systems.
  
• Electrical Engineering Degree: Electrical engineering expertise is crucial for designing and integrating electronic components, sensors, and communication systems used in unmanned aircraft systems.
  
• Computer Science Degree: Computer science skills are valuable for developing software, algorithms, and autonomous control systems for unmanned aircraft, as well as for processing and analyzing data collected by UAVs.
  
• Mechanical Engineering Degree: Mechanical engineering knowledge is important for designing the mechanical structures, propulsion systems, and mechanical components of unmanned aircraft systems, ensuring their reliability and efficiency.
• Geography Degree: Geography provides spatial analysis skills that are relevant for planning flight routes, conducting geographic surveys, and analyzing aerial imagery collected by unmanned aircraft systems for applications such as mapping, surveying, and environmental monitoring.
• Environmental Studies Degree: Environmental studies offer knowledge and expertise in environmental impact assessments, conservation, and sustainability, which are important considerations for the responsible use of unmanned aircraft systems in environmental research and monitoring.
• Management Degree: A Management major provides essential leadership and organizational skills that are valuable for managing UAV operations, coordinating teams, and overseeing projects involving unmanned aircraft systems.
• Accounting Degree: Accountancy majors offer financial management skills and accounting expertise applicable to budgeting, cost analysis, and financial reporting aspects of unmanned aircraft projects and operations.
• Biology Degree: UAS plays an increasingly crucial role in biology research, conservation, and environmental monitoring.
• Atmoshperic Sciences: UAS are increasingly used to collect atmospheric data, and can safety and cost-effectively reach areas to study atmospheric processes in real time. A background in UAS operations makes a graduate more competitive by bridging the gap between atmospheric science and advanced technology.