NATRS 416 - UAV Applications and Mapping

Credits: 5
Explore unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications for mapping including methods of data collection, processing, and analysis for agriculture, real-estate, surveying, construction, with an emphasis on natural resources and forestry applications. Gain knowledge of rules and regulations of commercial use of UAVs including federal, state, and local jurisdiction regulations. Become familiar with UAV platforms for data acquisition, software for automated data collection, and software for acquired data post processing. Learn to use mapping software for remote sensing, image analysis, and change detection from data collected in the field.

Prerequisite: NATRS 172 or equivalent; and instructor’s permission.

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Utilize UAV technology as a form of data collection.
Differentiate between federal, state, and local regulations regarding UAV’s.
Engage in safe and efficient drone flights.
Perform image processing from collected data imagery.
Perform statistical analysis from processed imagery.
Create a comprehensive final project for a region of interest using UAV applications and other relevant GIS applications.

Program Outcomes

Attain a job in the Natural Resources field.
Manage Forestland or Resources to attain positive outcomes.
Demonstrate effective written and verbal communications between industry partners and cooperators.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning - Quantitative Reasoning encompasses abilities necessary for a student to become literate in today’s technological world. Quantitative reasoning begins with basic skills and extends to problem solving.
Written Communication - Written Communication encompasses all the abilities necessary for effective expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas in written form.