Why Consider a Degree in Unmanned and Autonomous Systems?

By Dr. Richard Baker
Director of Master’s Programs

So, you are considering pursuing a degree.  Perhaps you want to prepare yourself for a new career or improve your chances for advancement in your current career.  Perhaps you are simply interested in learning. 

Why not consider a degree in unmanned and autonomous systems?  

This fast-growing field is transforming almost every sector of the economy.  Unmanned and autonomous systems have countless applications. They include  everything from floor sweepers to military drones, underwater rovers, Uber cars,  and strawberry pickers.  

As a graduate of a degree program in unmanned and autonomous systems, you’ll understand all these different uses and perhaps be able to dream up new ones. Beyond that, you’ll understand – and be able to address – key challenges within the industry.  These include integration of systems and interoperability of vehicles and systems, autonomy and artificial intelligence, communications, power systems and propulsion, sensors and applications, teaming, and ethics.  The gathering, storage, analysis, and protection of data is also a central concern.

Are you primarily interested in career opportunities? If so, this is the field for you. The industry is growing significantly with an increasing number of positions, projects, and opportunities. The drivers behind this growth are numerous and complex. Here are some of the indicators:

• A report by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, the largest organization representing mobile robotics of all types, projects more than 100,000 jobs in the industry by 2025 and an economic impact of $82 billion. Along similar lines, a technical report by Volpe for the U.S. Air Force forecasts annual growth of $30 billion and over 200,000 jobs by 2035.
• The essential technologies of electronics, batteries, and computing continue to increase in capability while they decrease in size and cost, making mobile robotics more affordable.  Sales of small unmanned aerial systems have skyrocketed over the past few years, with the Christmas holiday seeing many small drone systems under the tree.  The increase in popularity and affordability extends to wheeled, tracked, and marine robotics as well. 
• The availability of small, affordable, mobile cameras has given rise to many new small companies and entrepreneurs in videography and remote sensing. Such cameras have many uses. In agriculture, they are a tool for viewing fields and managing crops. They help risk management professionals observe damage in hard to access areas, and facilitate effective  disaster response. In the entertainment and film industries, they provide new creative possibilities. Innovators are finding new ways to use them every day.
• By far the largest single driver is the announcement by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the long anticipated rules for operation of small unmanned aerial systems to promote compliance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 107.  The ruling impacts the accessibility of airspace for commercial operators, the use of the technology in applications, the availability of jobs, and economic growth. Companies and individuals are racing to embrace the technology in new and different ways to support their business. 

Who stands to benefit from these trends? With the right credentials and experience, you do!  The industry needs professionals with the ability to utilize unmanned and autonomous systems effectively in multiple environments and recognize opportunities for innovation.  They must have a strong knowledge and experience base and be able to analyze requirements, develop strategies, identify trends, and recommend solutions.

Capitol Technology University's unmanned systems program offers degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels: a BS in unmanned and autonomous systems, an MS in unmanned and autonomous systems policy and risk management, and a PhD in unmanned systems applications.   The master of science and PhD degrees are completely online and easy to access.  You need not leave your current career to succeed with the programs. 

At Capitol Tech, you will interact with instructors who bring knowledge and experience to the class.  Our faculty have significant experience and subject matter expertise in unmanned and autonomous systems and related disciplines that support the industry (robotics, mechatronics, aviation, computer science, cyber security and more).  Capitol also works with industry leaders to understand their needs and create a comprehensive curriculum that will produce graduates for the demands of the future.

If you are looking for a career or career change, why not work in a field that interests you?  Mark Twain is quoted as having said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”   If you’re drawn to robotics, engineering, science, business -- or even if you simply enjoy taking cool pictures – the field of unmanned and autonomous systems is for you!