Skip to content

Course Syllabus

GEO 2846 Drone Applications

  • Division: Natural Science and Math
  • Department: Geology
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 1; Lab: 1
  • Prerequisites: Completed or registered for GEO 2845 or instructor approval
  • Semesters Offered: Spring
  • Semester Approved: Fall 2022
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2027
  • End Semester: Summer 2028
  • Optimum Class Size: 8
  • Maximum Class Size: 16

Course Description

Un-manned Aerial Systems (UAS, drones) offer technological advantages and opportunities in many fields such as forestry, range science, mineral extraction, real estate, geology, commercialization, energy production, and agriculture. This course explores techniques in this broad range of areas and provides hands-on industry style experience to students. This course is the second course in a series (following GEO 2845).
Note: This course is cross-listed as DRON 2846.

Justification

UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems or Drone) technology is utilized in a wide variety of careers and applications. Many of these cutting-edge technological applications require hands on training and experience to generate 3D models, map vegetation, geologic and engineering applications, or to generate compelling and interesting video for real estate or film. This course will allow students to experience a wide variety of these techniques and produce a professional end product in a chosen technique. This course expands on the basic introduction to drones and regulations to include detailed coverage of a wide range of applications (encompassing a wide variety of fields, from arts to real estate to science fields).

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will gain a general understanding of multiple contexts for drone application such as real estate, cinematography, mapping and ag.
  2. The students will choose two of the topics related to their interests to develop a deeper understanding and propose projects in these areas. The students will then develop and execute a flight and data plan and generate a professional report for their product as if delivering on an actual job.

Course Content

This course will cover the following possible applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems:Digital Mapping and Orthomosaic generationLiDARAerial CinematographyMulti-spectral remote sensingReal-Estate photography3D point cloud generationDrone DeliveryAgricultural weed and fertilizer applicationGeologic or engineering applicationsThermal Imagery and mapping360 video applications and productionScientific Sensor Payloads and applicationsOther topics as the field develops.The course draws on the various interests of students to highlight different contexts in which these skills can be applied, helping students reflect on the material from many different vantage points as well as considering customer and client needs. After an overview of a broad group of topics, students will choose their area of specialization to focus on for the final project. Specialization areas will be available for projects based on available equipment.