Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems A.A.S.

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Program Director: Maria Burness· Phone: 410-386-8526 · Email: mburness@carrollcc.edu

Prepare for an exciting career as a Commercial Drone Pilot. This program provides students with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skill necessary to safely operate a small-unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) within the National Airspace System.

This Associate of Applied Science degree in Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems prepares students for employment or advancement in careers such as sUAS Pilot, Data Analyst, Drone Data Specialist, sUAS (Drone) Manager and Drone Technician. The coursework applies this emerging technology across a broad spectrum of industrial applications, including construction, energy, utilities, agriculture, infrastructure, mining, public safety, surveying, mapping, real estate, photography and videography.

The coursework focuses on safe sUAS operation for aerial video production, the collection and processing of aerial and geospatial data, as well as piloting and flight requirements. As part of this program, students will prepare to earn their FAA Remote Pilot in Command Certificate. Some coursework may require fieldwork and flight laboratories.

Certification is not guaranteed.

Degree Requirements

Associate of Applied Science, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Degree
Recommended Course Sequence: 60 Credits Required

Program Goals

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

Demonstrate how to safely and legally fly multi-rotor and fixed wing drones in a variety of commercial sUAS missions in both simulated and actual conditions.
Interpret a variety of regulations, policies and procedures.
Operate sUAS systems to include aircraft platforms, control stations, hardware, software and firmware.
Analyze data collected through remote sensing equipment and cameras.
Determine the requirements of sUAS mission planning across a number of industry sectors.

Student Notices

Diversity requirement: select a Diversity General Education course from either Arts and Humanities and/or Social and Behavioral Science categories.

An Associate of Applied Science degree requires a minimum of 9 credits of 200-level courses.

This is a Statewide program. Maryland residents who select this program and follow the course requirements pay at the in-county tuition rate.