The Indiana Commission for Higher Education last week approved a new bachelor's degree in unmanned systems at Indiana State University that promises to be the first of its kind in the state and only one of a small group found throughout the country.
Richard Baker, chair of the Aviations Department at ISU says the 120-credit hour program will teach students the practical uses for unmanned systems, popularly known as drones.
"It's to address the issue of how to use unmanned systems of all three domains, not just aerial, but also land and water as tools to help people," he says.
The university has become involved in several programs associated with drone technology over the course of the year — that includes a partnership with Mississippi State University and approval from the Federal Aviation Authority to operate unmanned aerial vehicles in several locations across the state.
Students will be able to enroll in the new program starting this fall.