Story by Destinee Marking, Staff Writer

Photos Brock Kirk/The News

Beginning Fall 2018, students will have the opportunity to take Unmanned Aerial Systems classes.

Brian Hoover, coordinator of the UAS program, said the first official class is UAS 110 Introduction to Aviation.

Classes to follow include UAS 310 Introduction to Unmanned Aerial Systems, UAS 410 Unmanned Aerial Systems Sensors and Data Display and UAS 480 Experiential Learning in Unmanned Aerial Systems Technology.

To receive the UAS certificate, Hoover said students will be required to take those classes and a UAS elective for a total of 15 credit hours. To minor in UAS, students will need to take two additional elective courses.

“The intention of the certification is that it can be added to any program across campus, just like any other certificate or minor option already in place,” Hoover said.

The UAS courses are designed to do two things, Hoover said, including provide students a pathway to receiving Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 certification and provide experiential learning opportunities.

“The program provides a good knowledge of flight basics and background knowledge,” Hoover said. “But in addition, students will be able to apply this knowledge in real-world flight exercises targeted at giving students the ability to solve problems, make evaluations or gather information and data using a UAS firsthand to do so.”

Having the option to take these courses, Hoover said, will provide Murray State Students with unique opportunities not only on campus, but also within the region and will impact future career opportunities.  

Anyone with questions regarding the UAS program can contact [email protected].