Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program prepares students for entry level positions in the UAS industry by providing foundational knowledge and skills in UAS mission planning, applications, maintenance, laws and regulations, data analytics, and project management using UAS platforms. Program content includes an introduction to UAS flight, history, avionics, sensors, communications systems and selectable paths including data analysis and applications such as emergency responders, geographic information systems, precision agriculture, and in commercial and government sectors. Students will prepare for and conduct unmanned flights similar to those commonly performed in the industry observing Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) regulations that govern UAS operations. This program helps prepare students for the FAA Part 107 Certification.

Details

Field of Interest
Applied Technology
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5982
Total credits required
34
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Summer 2021
Admissions criteria

Students wishing to enroll in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems program must complete an application process before being officially accepted into the program.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Operate small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) proficiently according to Federal Aviation (FAA) Rules and Regulations.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the aviation and emerging sUAS environment.
  3. Employ safety, legal, ethical, and moral standards related to sUAS operations.
  4. Demonstrate basic radio skills and procedures to communicate with air traffic control (ATC), airport operators, and others as legally required.
  5. Design flight and mission plans using computer applications and processes associated with sUAS operations.
  6. Conduct basic maintenance and repair of sUAS.
  7. Utilize problem solving skills in a dynamic environment for data analysis, evaluation, and reporting.
  8. Mitigate human factors risks in sUAS operations.
  9. Prepare for FAA Part 107 Certification.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

$63,460

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

$72,450

Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other

$42,090

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

$47,390

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2022.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
UAS101 Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operation Critical course Gateway course 3
UAS205 sUAS Instruments and Autopilot Programming and Uses 3
UAS107 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Certification Required for certification to fly sUAS. 3
UAS206 sUAS Instrument and Autopilot Flight Lab 2

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
UAS100 sUAS Batteries and Electronics 5
AET208 Aviation Safety 3
UAS207 sUAS Dynamics and Design 5
UAS208 sUAS Dynamics and Design Lab 2

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
UAS211 sUAS Ground Control Stations, Telemetry, and Comms 3
UAS212 sUAS Maintenance Lab 2
UAS215 sUAS Commercial Flight Training 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
UAS101 Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operation Critical course Gateway course 3
UAS205 sUAS Instruments and Autopilot Programming and Uses 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
UAS107 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Certification Required for certification to fly sUAS. 3
UAS206 sUAS Instrument and Autopilot Flight Lab 2
AET208 Aviation Safety 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
UAS100 sUAS Batteries and Electronics 5
UAS208 sUAS Dynamics and Design Lab 2

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
UAS207 sUAS Dynamics and Design 5
UAS211 sUAS Ground Control Stations, Telemetry, and Comms 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
UAS212 sUAS Maintenance Lab 2
UAS215 sUAS Commercial Flight Training 3
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=140955).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.