M.S. in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems

student working on model aircraft in a laboratory

The Master of Science in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems is designed to address workforce demand for uncrewed systems technology professionals. The program includes coursework in policy, design, ethics, technology and systems management related to uncrewed and autonomous systems. Students develop knowledge in uncrewed aircraft systems and autonomous robotics across air, land, maritime and space domains.

At the Worldwide & Online Campus, the Master of Science in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems is offered online through the College of Aviation. The program includes study in uncrewed and autonomous systems technology, addressing factors that influence the adoption, integration and effectiveness of systems such as drones, autonomous ground systems, advanced and urban air mobility platforms and related technologies. Students may select from three specializations: Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Operations, Research or Technical Development and Support.

The sUAS Operations Specialization includes preparation for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 certification and requires completion of a weekend residency during UNSY 520, an in-person residency held over a weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida. Students may also pursue a Trusted UAS Operator certification from the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International.

Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Explain factors influencing the adoption and use of associated system technologies, in relation to past, present, and emerging perspectives.
  • Analyze data through the use of appropriate methods supporting application and operations.
  • Discuss the origination of system capabilities, processes, and technology.
  • Examine the effects of the legal and regulatory process on industry practices.
  • Investigate uncrewed systems platform and payload selection based on mission oriented goals.
  • Investigate how related technologies could affect future markets.

Worldwide Program Requirements

Core Requirements18
Specialization12
Total Credits30

Program Details

The Master of Science in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems requires successful completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours. Students enrolled in the Worldwide Graduate Online program may complete the degree in six terms, or approximately two years, assuming full-time enrollment and continuous progress. Students pursuing this graduate degree must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.00 for all work completed at the University. The courses required to earn this degree are listed below.

Students should be aware that many courses have prerequisites and/or corequisites. Students are responsible for ensuring that all prerequisite and degree requirements are satisfied prior to enrollment in advanced coursework. The suggested plan of study is provided as a guide. A student's actual plan of study may vary based on term of admission, course availability, transfer credit, and other academic considerations. Students should consult with their academic advisor to develop an individualized plan of study.

Students must complete one approved specialization in addition to the required core curriculum. Students selecting the Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Operations specialization must be physically located in the United States while enrolled in UNSY 520 and UNSY 620 and should contact their academic advisor prior to enrolling in UNSY 515 regarding additional costs, potential travel requirements, and FAA testing. Students interested in the Research specialization should consult with their academic advisor regarding thesis requirements and sequencing.

Core Requirements

UNSY 502Current Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
UNSY 503Legal and Regulatory Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
UNSY 504Application of Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
UNSY 603Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Operational Configuration3
UNSY 606Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Interoperability and Control3
CYAV 517Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Cybersecurity3
Total Credits18

Specializations

Research

RSCH 665Statistical Analysis3
RSCH 670Research Methods3
RSCH 700AGraduate Thesis I3
RSCH 700BGraduate Thesis II3
Total Credits12

Technical Development and Support

SYSE 500Fundamentals of Systems Engineering3
SYSE 530System Requirements Analysis and Modeling3
UNSY 531Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Aviation/Aerospace Systems3
UNSY 635Remote Sensing Data Analysis3
Total Credits12

Small Uncrewed Aircraft System (sUAS) Operations

Students declaring the sUAS Operations Specialization must be physically located within the U.S., have access to a sUAS with which to train, and hold a current FAA Part 107 Certification while participating in the UNSY 520 and UNSY 620 courses. Students must contact their Academic Advisor regarding additional cost, required travel, and FAA Testing, prior to enrolling in the first course of this specialization, UNSY 515.

UNSY 515sUAS Operation Fundamentals3
UNSY 520sUAS Practical Application and Assessment *3
UNSY 620sUAS Operational Planning and Safety Management3
UNSY 625sUAS Advanced Fixed-Wing Operations3
Total Credits12
*

Course includes a mandatory weekend residency and personal sUAS required at students’ expense.

Suggested Plans of Study

Two Year Plan - Research

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 504 - Application of Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
Semester Hours3
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 502 - Current Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
Semester Hours3
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 503 - Legal and Regulatory Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
Semester Hours3
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
CYAV 517 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Cybersecurity3
Semester Hours3
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 603 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Operational Configuration3
Semester Hours3

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 15

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 606 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Interoperability and Control3
Semester Hours3
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
RSCH 665 - Statistical Analysis3
Semester Hours3
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
RSCH 670 - Research Methods3
Semester Hours3
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
RSCH 700A - Graduate Thesis I3
Semester Hours3
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
RSCH 700B - Graduate Thesis II3
Semester Hours3

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 15

One Year Plan - Research

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 504 - Application of Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
UNSY 502 - Current Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
Semester Hours6
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 503 - Legal and Regulatory Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
CYAV 517 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Cybersecurity3
Semester Hours6
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 603 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Operational Configuration3
UNSY 606 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Interoperability and Control3
Semester Hours6
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
RSCH 665 - Statistical Analysis3
RSCH 670 - Research Methods3
Semester Hours6
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
RSCH 700A - Graduate Thesis I3
Semester Hours3

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 27

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
RSCH 700B - Graduate Thesis II3
Semester Hours3

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 3

Two Year Plan - Technical Development and Support

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 504 - Application of Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
Semester Hours3
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 502 - Current Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
Semester Hours3
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 503 - Legal and Regulatory Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
Semester Hours3
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
SYSE 500 - Fundamentals of Systems Engineering3
Semester Hours3
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
SYSE 530 - System Requirements Analysis and Modeling3
Semester Hours3

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 15

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
CYAV 517 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Cybersecurity3
Semester Hours3
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 603 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Operational Configuration3
Semester Hours3
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 606 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Interoperability and Control3
Semester Hours3
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 531 - Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Aviation/Aerospace Systems3
Semester Hours3
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 635 - Remote Sensing Data Analysis3
Semester Hours3

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 15

One Year Plan - Technical Development and Support

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 504 - Application of Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
UNSY 502 - Current Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
Semester Hours6
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 503 - Legal and Regulatory Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
SYSE 500 - Fundamentals of Systems Engineering3
Semester Hours6
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
SYSE 530 - System Requirements Analysis and Modeling3
CYAV 517 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Cybersecurity3
Semester Hours6
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 603 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Operational Configuration3
UNSY 606 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Interoperability and Control3
Semester Hours6
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 531 - Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Aviation/Aerospace Systems3
UNSY 635 - Remote Sensing Data Analysis3
Semester Hours6

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 30

Two Year Plan - Small Uncrewed System (sUAS) Operations

Year One

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 504 - Application of Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
Semester Hours3
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 502 - Current Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
Semester Hours3
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 503 - Legal and Regulatory Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
Semester Hours3
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 515 - sUAS Operation Fundamentals3
Semester Hours3
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 520 - sUAS Practical Application and Assessment3
Semester Hours3

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 15

Year Two

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
CYAV 517 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Cybersecurity3
Semester Hours3
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 603 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Operational Configuration3
Semester Hours3
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 606 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Interoperability and Control3
Semester Hours3
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 620 - sUAS Operational Planning and Safety Management3
Semester Hours3
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 625 - sUAS Advanced Fixed-Wing Operations3
Semester Hours3

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 15

One Year Plan - Small Uncrewed System (sUAS) Operations 

Year One

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 504 - Application of Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
UNSY 502 - Current Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
Semester Hours6
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 503 - Legal and Regulatory Issues in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems3
UNSY 515 - sUAS Operation Fundamentals3
Semester Hours6
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 520 - sUAS Practical Application and Assessment3
CYAV 517 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Cybersecurity3
Semester Hours6
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 603 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Operational Configuration3
UNSY 606 - Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Interoperability and Control3
Semester Hours6
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
UNSY 620 - sUAS Operational Planning and Safety Management3
UNSY 625 - sUAS Advanced Fixed-Wing Operations3
Semester Hours6

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 30

Estimated Cost of Attendance

Estimated Cost of Attendance: California Student Information