
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Applications: From Flight Fundamentals to Data Intelligence
| University | INGENIUM European University |
|---|---|
| Field of Study | Engineering & Technology |
| Description | The INGENIUM microcredential "Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Applications: From Flight Fundamentals to Data Intelligence" bridges the skills gap between rapid drone advancements and traditional degrees through practice-oriented training. Learners acquire comprehensive knowledge of UAS platforms, sensors, safety protocols, and flight regulations, achieving technical proficiency to plan and execute missions safely. Participants are trained to process geospatial data and generate critical 2D and 3D topographic products, such as Digital Terrain Models (DTM), Digital Surface Models (DSM), and orthophotos. This expertise qualifies higher education students and professionals, including surveyors, geographic information system (GIS) specialists, and environmental analysts, to implement data-driven drone technologies. Graduates are prepared for civil engineering surveys, sustainable land management, and complex infrastructure inspection, including roads, dams, and emergency flash flood monitoring. |
| Format of Learning Material | Video, Audio, Pdf, Power point, etc |
| Instructor | Sean Carroll, Constantin Chirilă, Valeria-Ersilia Oniga, Michal Otreba |
| Target Group | Higher education students at EFQ levels 6 (bachelor's), 7 (master's), and 8 (PhD), alongside lifelong learners and working professionals seeking to upskill in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operations |
| Type of Learning | Virtual |
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| Contents and Methods | Scope 4 ECTS (100 hrs) Workload: 36 hours of teaching and 64 hours of individual and group work. ContentsModule 1. UAS Systems, Operations and Engineering Applications Unit 1. Introduction to UAS Systems, Technologies and Drone Types — UAS, multirotor, fixed wing, VTOL, flight controllers, IMU, GNSS, sensors, payloads, batteries, propulsion and drone selection. Unit 2. UAS Regulation, Airspace and Safe Operations — EASA, IAA, Open, Specific and Certified categories, A1, A2, A3, class marked drones, VLOS, operator registration, remote pilots, geographical zones and NOTAMs. Unit 3. Mission Planning and Operational Risk Assessment — Site assessment, airspace, weather, METAR, TAF, hazards, ground risk, air risk, battery planning, checklists, emergency procedures. Unit 4. UAS Flight Simulation and Mission Execution — Flight simulation, controller familiarisation, pitch, roll, yaw, hovering, flight circuits, waypoint missions, grid flights, automated flights and RTH. Unit 5. UAS Sensors and Engineering Data Acquisition — RGB, thermal, multispectral, hyperspectral, LiDAR, image resolution, ground sampling distance, overlap, nadir, oblique imagery, RTK, PPK, ground control points and check points. Unit 6. Introduction to UAS Data Processing and Digital Outputs — Photogrammetry, image alignment, point clouds, meshes, orthophotos, DSM, DTM, coordinate systems, accuracy and quality control. Unit 7. UAS Applications in Civil Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure — Surveying, site mapping, progress monitoring, earthworks, stockpiles, building and bridge inspection, flood mapping, change detection, CAD, BIM and GIS. Unit 8. Integrated UAS Workflow, Emerging Technologies and Future Applications — Automation, autonomous flight, remotely deployed drones, artificial intelligence, computer vision, defect detection, digital twins, BIM and GIS integration. Module 2. Fundamentals of UAS Data Geolocation and Georeferencing Unit 1. Fundamentals of UAS Data Geolocation — Positioning, geolocation, georeferencing, spatial reference terminology, reference surfaces, coordinate systems in geodesy. Unit 2. Spatial Reference Systems — ITRS, WGS 84, ETRS89, national and local coordinate reference systems. Unit 3. Coordinate Conversions and Transformations — Geodetic to Cartesian conversions, geographic to projected coordinates, 3D/2D transformations, height system transformations, georeferencing accuracy assessment. Unit 4. Positioning and Orientation through GNSS/IMU Integration — GNSS positioning principles and methods, error sources, coordinate transformation model configuration, IMU-based orientation and direct georeferencing. Practical Component — UAS Image Georeferencing: Direct georeferencing (known camera positions), indirect georeferencing (GCP-based scenarios), comparative accuracy analysis, UAS products accuracy assessment (DSM, DTM, orthophoto), and final report and evaluation. ActivitiesA1. Introduction to UAS Systems, Technologies and Drone Types | Online (asynchronous) | Theoretical A2. UAS Regulation, Airspace and Safe Operations | Online (asynchronous) | Theoretical A3. Mission Planning and Operational Risk Assessment | Online (asynchronous) | Theoretical A4. UAS Flight Simulation and Mission Execution | Online (asynchronous) | Theoretical A5. UAS Sensors and Engineering Data Acquisition | Online (asynchronous) | Theoretical A6. Introduction to UAS Data Processing and Digital Outputs | Online (asynchronous) | Theoretical A7. UAS Applications in Civil Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure | Online (asynchronous) | Theoretical A8. Integrated UAS Workflow, Emerging Technologies and Future Applications | Online (asynchronous) | Theoretical A9. Guided Mission Planning and Flight Execution Exercise | Online (synchronous/asynchronous) | Practical A10. Moderated Discussion and Learner Support Sessions | Online (synchronous/asynchronous) | Practical A11. Fundamentals of UAS Data Geolocation | Online (asynchronous) | Theoretical A12. Spatial Reference Systems | Online (asynchronous) | Theoretical A13. Coordinate Conversions and Transformations | Online (asynchronous) | Theoretical A14. Positioning and Orientation through GNSS/IMU Integration | Online (asynchronous) | Theoretical A15. UAS Dataset & Software Introduction | Online (asynchronous) | Practical A16. Direct Georeferencing of the UAS Image Block Using Onboard GNSS/RTK Positions | Online (synchronous/asynchronous) | Practical A17. Indirect Georeferencing of the UAS Image Block Using Ground Control Points (Variable Density) | Online (synchronous/asynchronous) | Practical A18. Comparative Analysis (Class Discussion/Report) | Online (asynchronous) | Practical A19. UAS Products Accuracy Assessment | Online (synchronous/asynchronous) | Practical A20. Final Report and Evaluation | Online (asynchronous) | Practical
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| Type of Assessment | Formative and final assesment |
| Study Materials | The delivery of this fully online microcredential relies entirely on the existing digital infrastructure of the Alliance. Specifically, the course will utilize the INGENIUM MOODLE platform (accessible via the INGENIUM Education Platform) to host all asynchronous video lectures, guided tutorials, and quizzes, as well as to facilitate collaborative group projects and peer-review activities. Specialized software used to create accurate 3D models, maps, and digital reconstructions from photographs. |
| Prerequisites to Enrol | There are only 30 places available, and priority will be given to those who register first. The enrolment fee is €35. Payment instructions will be sent once your place has been confirmed. Fees are non-refundable, except when the course is cancelled or the University is responsible for the inability to provide the course. Pre-registration period: from 08.11.2026 to 22.11.2026 |
| Type of Credential | credits |
| ECTS | 4 |
| Registration | https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/7UB4vt0pEi |
| Contact Details | valeria-ersilia.oniga@academic.tuiasi.ro; sean.carroll@mtu.ie |
| Number of Study Places | 30 |
| ISCED | 732 |

