Master of Science - Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Engineering

Program Description

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) has been a pioneering institution in the field of unmanned and robotics education. Now with the Master of Science in Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Engineering, a student’s prior engineering education and interest in unmanned flight is the ideal combination to take their career to the next level. Whether students are recent graduates or working professionals, a master’s degree in this engineering field will help them transition into new, exciting roles in the burgeoning field of unmanned flight.

This 30-credit program, built on rigorous coursework, allows students the option of developing and demonstrating knowledge attainment through project-based experiences. The program’s fifteen-credit core provides breadth across pertinent issues in unmanned and autonomous systems: unmanned platforms; planning and localization; sensors and data links; control systems; reliability, safety, and certification; and the requisite mathematical background.

The program’s remaining fifteen credits consists of elective courses, determined in consultation with the student’s advisor to tailor a program of study. The electives provide the student three options: all coursework; coursework plus a two-semester capstone project performed either alone or, more likely, as a member of a small team, leading to publication of a conference paper (or preparation of a technical report of comparable publication quality); or a thesis option leading to publication of multiple conference papers or a journal article (or preparation of technical reports of comparable quality).

In addition, the student can choose the Unmanned Aircraft Systems area of concentration, building a deep understanding of problems in the field through development of an operational aircraft and control station, or the Systems Engineering area of concentration to develop skills in systems engineering toward the requirements, design, implementation, validation, and certification of unmanned and autonomous systems.