Unmanned Aerial Systems
Purdue University in West Lafayette
Unmanned aircraft, or drones, are being utilized in science, agriculture, military and insurance. Drone uses range from product delivery to emergency rescue. Companies need drone experts to help them understand policies, regulations and flight paths.
The UAS major examines the entire unmanned aerial system, including operations, design, policy, sensors and commerce. Students learn how various drone aircraft are built and fit into the aviation system, including safety rules and regulations.
The Purdue Polytechnic Institute is one of 10 academic colleges at Purdue University. The Polytechnic specializes in team-based labs where you’ll test ideas, take things apart and put them back together — only better. You’ll learn side-by-side with professors who have worked in the industry and thrive on combining theory, imagination and real-world application. In this innovative environment, you'll learn by doing - gaining deep technical knowledge and applied skills in your chosen discipline coupled with problem-solving, critical-thinking, communication and leadership skills employers desire.
How one student’s backup plan became his calling
Hudson Tsang wanted to be an airplane pilot for as long as he could remember. As a kid, he loved flying remote-controlled planes and helicopters and hoped to one day get his pilot’s license and start a career in flight.
At the age of 12, he had to face an unfortunate truth: He couldn’t become a pilot, at least not for another 10 years. The Federal Aviation Administration denied his medical certificate because of a small cyst that affected his eyesight when he was a child. He would have to wait a decade before he could submit another.
“I was disappointed that my medical certificate had been denied, but since I was so young, I was ready and willing to wait to apply again,” he said.
He appealed the decision a handful of times once his eyesight had returned to normal. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the cards for him — at least not the type of piloting he initially envisioned. He had to pivot to find another career, but he didn’t let the situation hold him back.
Plan of Study
Unmanned Aerial Systems WebpageTransfer to Unmanned Aerial Systems
Purdue admits to individual majors. Transfer students must meet Purdue's overall transfer criteria, as well as any major-specific requirements. Before you apply, check the closed programs page to confirm this major is open to transfer students. If it is, refer to the information below for major-specific transfer criteria.
Minimum GPA: 2.5
Contact Information
Director of Recruiting, Polytechnic
765-494-4935
techrecruit@purdue.edu
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Careers in Unmanned Aerial Systems
- UAV pilot
- Flight operations analyst
- Systems integration engineer
- Test and airworthiness engineer
- Geospatial scientist
- Cyber systems operations specialist
- Cyber transport systems specialist
- Avionics technician