The Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences jointly with the College of Aviation (COA) at Western Michigan University is offering a nine-credit hour certificate in the geological and environmental applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The certificate program provides a comprehensive understanding of the available geophysical and remote sensing sensors mounted on UAVs, and training on the acquisition of the UAV observation and their applications in addressing geological and environmental problems of interest such as mapping of environmental hazards (e.g., algal bloom distribution, contaminant releases, flood assessment, landslides, fire and volcano monitoring), and mapping of natural resources (water, mineral, forestry, vegetation intensity and type, and wildlife). Two courses will be taught in Geological and Environmental Sciences each for three credit hours, one in remote sensing fundamentals, methods, and applications in geological and environmental sciences, and the second in geophysics fundamentals, methods, and applications in geological and environmental sciences. Both courses will also cover the acquisition, download, processing, and analysis of UAV datasets in the department. One three credit hour hybrid course will be taught by the COA; the course will provide an introduction to unmanned aerial systems, operations, Federal Aviation Administration regulations, fundamentals of flight and weather, and preparation for the FAA UAS knowledge examination. All classes will be offered during summer sessions.

Admission Requirements

A BS degree and completion of application online. Applicants planning on enrolling in the graduate UAV certificate in conjunction with a graduate degree program must submit separate online applications for each program.