Drone Applications in Geospatial Information Sciences

Geospatial Information Sciences involves the preparation, analysis, and scientific research necessary for identifying patterns, trends, and relationships that are represented in space and time. GIS integrates many types of data. Drone technologies aides in the collection, organization, and analyses of layers of information never before possible. With unique capabilities, drones provide for the collection of information which helps GIS technicians reveals deeper insights into data, such as patterns, relationships, and real-time situations. The Drone Applications in Geospatial Information Sciences is a unique certificate which introduces students to the use of drones in GIS.

The certificate program includes specialize drone courses as well as applicable GIS and Geography courses:

1.            GIS 540 Digital Imaging with Drones (3 units)

2.            GIS 541 Digital Imaging with Drones II (3 units)

3.            GIS 542 Introduction to Remote Sensing and Drone Data Processing (3 units)

4.            GIS 558 Small Unmanned Aircraft (Drone) Systems (2 units)

5.            GEOG 115 Introduction to Geographic Information Science (2 units)

6.            GEOG 520 Intermediate Geographic Information Systems. (4 units)

7.            GEOG 580 Geospatial Information Practicum (2 units)

OPTIONAL (6 units)

8.            ENVS 100 Humans and Scientific Inquiry

9.            ENVS 101 Introduction to Environmental Science (3 units)

10.          GEOG 105 Map Interpretation and Spatial Analysis (3units)

11.          GEOG 106 Meteorology: Weather and Climate (3 units)

It is anticipated that between 30 and 60 students will enroll in the GIS certificate programs each year. Of those students it is estimated that 24 students will complete the drone applications certificate.

US labor markets have changed dramatically over the last 20 years. Opportunities in “blue collar” vocational career areas have decreased while there has been a dramatic rise in the need for “white collar” workers in many industries. GIS represents one of these in-demand white collar occupations.

The major goal of this certificate is to provide education and training to all students to pursue "white collar" career opportunities in GIS occupations requiring the use of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), known as drones. Drone technologies open a whole new environment for GIS workers combining the traditional office-oriented skills with field work in a variety of environmental settings. Drone skilled employment continues to be added to new career paths in a variety of jobs related to government, consulting firms, academia, accountancy, business and executive management, customer support, market research, finance, human resources, research, marketing, information technology, networking, attorneys, engineering, architects, development and contracting.

The Drone Applications in Geospatial Information Sciences Certificate requires students to develop the skills necessary for not only the commercial piloting of small unmanned aircraft systems, sUAS, but the ability to gather, upload, input, organize and analyze data and images captured by drones. These skills require an understanding of geographic spatial relationships and map interpretations as well as piloting and remote sensing. Technicians must be able to not only collect the information but use the data to develop GIS products that aid in geospatial decision making. The program recommends a basic understanding of human interactions with the environment and includes up to 6 optional semester units in environmental science and geography course work.