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Submitter's Information

Name

Kenneth Starkman

Title

Dean, Technology and Engineering

Region

Orange County

College

Fullerton College

CTE Dean

CTE Dean's Name

Ken Starkman

CTE Dean's Email

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Program Details

Program Title

Drone Applications for Marine and Environmental Research Certificate

Submission Type

New Program

TOPs Code

Aeronautical and Aviation Technology (095000)

Projected Start Date

08/15/25

Catalog Description

The Environmental Drone Applications for Marine Research Certificate equips students with the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to utilize drones in marine and coastal environments effectively. This program explores the innovative use of drone technology in marine biology, coastal environmental monitoring, and ecological research. Through a combination of lecture-based coursework and field training, students will learn to collect and analyze data for applications such as habitat mapping, wildlife monitoring, water quality assessment, and coastal erosion studies. This certificate requires a total of 28 units. A grade of C or better is required in each course taken.

Enrollment Completer Projections

15 annual completers

Program Proposal Attributes

Program Award Type(s) (Check all that apply)
  • Certificate of Achievement: 16 or greater semester (or 24 or greater quarter) units (C)
Program Goal

The Environmental Drone Applications for Marine Research Certificate equips students with the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to utilize drones in marine and coastal environments effectively. This program explores the innovative use of drone technology in marine biology, coastal environmental monitoring, and ecological research. Through a combination of lecture-based coursework and field training, students will learn to collect and analyze data for applications such as habitat mapping, wildlife monitoring, water quality assessment, and coastal erosion studies.

Outcome 1:    Evaluate environmental data collected through drone operations to identify patterns and propose solutions for coastal ecosystem challenges.

 Outcome 2:    Utilize drone systems to effectively capture and analyze data for use in marine biological or environmental research.    

Course Units and Hours

Total Certificate Units (Minimum and Maximum)

28 semester units

Units for Degree Major or Area of Emphasis (Minimum and Maximum)

n/a

Total Units for Degree (Minimum and Maximum)

n/a

Course Report

Program Requirements Narrative

This certificate requires a total of 28 units. A grade of C or better is required in each course taken.

Program Requirements
CourseTitleUnitsYear/Semester
(Y1 or S1)
BIOL 141 FMarine Mammal Biology and Conservation3Y1
BIOL 222 FMarine Biology3Y1
DRON 105 FApplied Drone Piloting3Y1
ESC 130 FIntroduction to Oceanography3Y1
ESC 130 LFIntroduction to Oceanography Field Experience1Y1
Restricted Electives


ENVS 142 FGeology and Marine Biology of the Channel Islands2Y2
ESC 131 FIntroduction to Oceanography Lab2Y2
ESC 230 FCoastal Oceanography3Y2
DRON 120 FInfrared Thermal Imaging Level 12Y2
DRON 130 FAerial Mapping and Photogrammetry3Y2
DRON 170 FIntroduction to LiDAR Acquisition3Y2

Orange County Regional Questions

District

North Orange County Community College District

College

Fullerton College

CRLC Member

Ken Starkman

Email

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Phone

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Reason for program recommendation request

New Program

Place of program in college's curriculum/similar program

Drone and Autonomous Systems

List similar programs at other colleges in the Orange County Region

Orange Coast College

Annual Enrollment projects (non-duplicative)

20 annual enrollments

Priority Sector

Drone and Autonomous Systems Technology

Submission Details

Published at

04/14/25 - 04:56 PM

Status

Recommended

Return to Drafts

Please list the reason(s) for returning "Drone Applications for Marine and Environmental Research Certificate". to Kenneth Starkman's drafts. This message will be sent to kstarkman@fullcoll.edu

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