Oct 08, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Aerospace, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Concentration, B.S.


Aerospace  
615-898-2788
Kevin Corns, program coordinator
Kevin.Corns@mtsu.edu

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations (UAS) concentration offers instruction for students who are interested in a career in unmanned aviation. Career opportunities include flying remotely piloted aircraft, providing support services (consulting, data analysis, UAS construction/modification /repair, etc.), or filling managerial roles at a company operating UAS. Students may choose to complete a Private Pilot Certificate at the MTSU Flight School or may complete Remote Pilot Certification as part of the AERO 2710 - sUAS Remote Pilot Certification .

NOTE: All major courses, program accreditation, and/or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) related coursework (physics, mathematics, and selected engineering technology courses) must be completed with a grade of C or better in order to graduate.

Academic Map


Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:

Aerospace, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, B.S., Academic Map   

Degree Requirements


True Blue Core (TBC) 41 hours
Major Requirements 43 hours*
     Aerospace Core    13 hours
     UAS Concentration    30 hours
Supporting Courses 8-9 hours*
Geospatial Analysis Minor 17 hours
Second Minor 15-18 hours
Electives 0-7 hours
TOTAL 120-127 hours

*This program requires courses that can also fulfill requirements of the True Blue Core curriculum. If courses for this program are also used to fulfill True Blue Core requirements, the program of study may be completed in 120 hours.

True Blue Core (41 hours)


True Blue Core (TBC)  requirements (shown in curricular listings below) include courses in the Foundational Skills areas of Written Communication (WC), Information Literacy (Info Lit), Non-Written Communication (NWC), and Quantitative Literacy (Quant Lit). Knowledge Domains include Human Society and Social Relationships (HSSR), Scientific Literacy (Sci Lit), Creativity and Cultural Expression (CCE), and History and Civic Learning (HCL), which include Discovery and Explorations categories. Students must choose at least one course from each Discovery category.

The following courses required by the major meet True Blue Core requirements:

Major Requirements (43 hours)


Geospatial Analysis Minor (17 hours)


See Geospatial Analysis Minor  for requirements.

Electives (0-7 hours)


Curriculum: Aerospace, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Concentration


Freshman


Subtotal: 31-32 Hours


Sophomore


Subtotal: 29 Hours


Junior


Subtotal: 33 Hours


Subtotal: 27 Hours


Additional Requirements


This concentration allows students who wish to do so to obtain manned pilot certificates through flight training conducted at the MTSU Flight School. All required flight training must be conducted in a flight lab, in University owned and maintained aircraft, and by flight instructors screened and trained for their positions by MTSU. All flight labs will be conducted from the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport. Admission to the University does not guarantee enrollment in a flight lab. To enroll in a flight lab, students must submit a Flight Lab Request Form for each and every semester they wish to fly. The deadlines to submit Flight Lab Request Forms are as follows:

Fall semester-June 30
Spring semester-November 15
Summer session-April 15

Flight Lab Request Forms submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Enrollment in flight labs is limited and selection is made from eligible candidates who are best qualified based on cumulative GPA. Incoming freshmen typically do not receive a flight lab for their first semester. Students must have completed 12 hours of college credit post high school graduation to be eligible for a flight lab. To become eligible for a flight lab, candidates must meet the following minimum standards:

  1. have a college cumulative grade point average of 3.00;
  2. have a current Second Class FAA medical certificate;
  3. must be in good standing within the department and University (if a transfer student, candidate cannot be on probation in any form);
  4. have no physical disability that would prohibit completion of the course requirements;
  5. have the full required amount of flight lab funds deposited in their flight accounts by the first day of classes;
  6. have completed all required prerequisite classes for the desired lab;
  7. for US citizens or permanent green card holders, present a valid current passport OR an original state-issued birth certificate AND a valid government-issued picture ID on the first day of class; for international students, receive approval from the Transportation Security Administration and the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) prior to the first day of class. 

Participation in MTSU flight labs is based on maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better. Violation of any MTSU safety practice or procedure or any FAA regulations will result in immediate termination from the program. Flight fees will be paid directly to MTSU, and students must maintain a positive balance in their training accounts at all times. Lab fee information and a complete explanation of all requirements for flight labs can be found in the Flight Lab Guide obtained through the MTSU Aerospace website, at the MTSU Flight School, or Aerospace Department main office.