Unmanned Aircraft Systems
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Outcomes & Careers
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94%
Successful Outcomes Rate
Students graduating with degrees from the Department of Engineering and Technology report being employed or furthering their education six months after graduation.
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$65k
Camera Operator
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a camera operator is $64,960.
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$46k
UAS Operator
According to Glassdoor, the average base pay for an unmanned aircraft system operator is $46,379.
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$80k
Drone Engineer
According to Zip Recruiter, the national average salary for a drone engineer is $79,685.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (BS) Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.
What You’ll Study
In the unmanned aircraft systems program, you’ll be ready for a wide range of fields ranging from agriculture and delivery services to telecommunications and first response. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.
Required Courses:
- ET160 Basic Electric Circuits (3)
- ET380 Vision and Sensor Systems (3)
- ET381 Fundamentals of Aviation in UAS (3)
- ET382 UAS Fundamentals (3)
- ET383 UAS Design (3)
- ET384 UAS Law, Policy, and Safety (3)
- ET385 UAS Mission Planning and Applications (3)
- ET450 UAS Capstone Experience (3)
- GO340 Remote Sensing (3)
- GO418 Meteorology (4)
- GT101 Introduction to GIS 1 (3)
- GT102 Introduction to GIS 2 (3)
- IM300 Technical Communication (3)
- IM301 Industrial Safety Supervision (3)
- IM506 Projects in Ind. And Eng. Technology (3)
- MA116 Precalculus A (3)
- MN220 Engineering Economic Systems (3)
- TN255 Microcomputer Maintenance and Troubleshooting (3)
Choose 3 hours:
- CS101 Introduction to Computer Programming (3)
- MN260 Technical Computer Programming Applications (3)
Choose 4-5 hours:
- PH106/107 Physical Concepts and Lab (3+1)
- PH120/020 Introductory Physics I (5)
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
*Many major courses are on a set rotation and dependent on when prerequisites are completed. The actual semester a course is taken may vary based on the rotation.
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- EN100 (3)
- MA116 (3)
- TN255 (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (13-15 Hours)
- CS101/MN260 (3-4)
- ET160 (3)
- PH106/107 or PH120/020 (4-5)
- General Education (5)
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- ET381 (4)
- GT101 (3)
- IM301 (2)
- MN319 (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- ET382 (3)
- GT102 (3)
- IM300 (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
Junior Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- ET383 (3)
- GT340 (3)
- IM506 (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- ET384 (3)
- MN220 (3)
- GT418 (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
Senior Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- ET380 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15-17 Hours)
- ET385 (3)
- ET450 (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3-5)
Professional Pilot & Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Get Funding for Your Education
Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.
Become a Redhawk.
Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.
Professional Pilot Degree
If you have an interest in flying a larger aircraft, Southeast just launched a professional pilot Bachelor of Science. The program includes laboratory and flight hours at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport and prepares students to attain FAA certifications to become a professional pilot.
Getting the Job
Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701