Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (Drones) are easy to use, inexpensive, and are revolutionizing spatial data collection and geographic analysis, with new technologies shaping the future of mapping, flight path planning, field operations, image analysis, 3-D model construction, and more.

This course will study Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones. UAS provide us with new ways to map, monitor, and measure our changing landscape. UAS are relatively inexpensive, easy to operate, and can deploy rapidly. Advances in digital image processing allow one to go from flying a drone to working with accurate maps and 3D models in a matter of hours. These factors make UAS ideal for many applications in which speed, accuracy, resolution, cost, and timeliness are key factors.

The University of Vermont is pleased to offer a rigorous, three-week course on drone technology, providing participants with an immersive introduction to drones, ranging from certification to data analytics. The course will be offered through a hybrid approach of online learning and in-person instruction at UVM’s campus (participants can choose fully online or a hybrid approach). Technologies that participants will be exposed to will include drone platforms, drone sensors, flight planning software, image processing software, desktop Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and web mapping. Students will work closely with members of the University of Vermont UAS Team, one of the most experienced drone groups in the United States.

Topics of Study

  • Organizational Considerations: Policies, procedures, capabilities and limitations, cost-benefit analysis, training, and information technology.
  • Regulations: Certification, airspace classes, waivers, and risk assessment.
  • Platforms: Multi-rotor and fixed-wing UAS.
  • Sensors: True-color, multispectral, thermal, and LiDAR.
  • Flight Planning: Risk assessment, flight planning software, flight logging software, mission checklists, and pre-flight checklists, mapping missions, point-of-interest missions, and inspection missions.
  • Data Processing: Photogrammetric processing of UAS imagery.
  • Data Analysis: Visualization, image interpretation, volume calculations, spectral analysis, thermography.
  • Data Sharing and Dissemination: Web applications.

Who should register for this program?

  • Professionals who are looking to further their knowledge of UAS.

Syllabus UAS/Drones Workshop Summer 2022

Program UAV Videos