COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to teach students drone flight operations to collect, map, and analyze drone imagery. Data analysis will draw on techniques and methods that include mission planning, photogrammetry, structure from motion, and image processing using industry-standard applications such as Pix4D. Acquired data will be explored, visualized, and shared using ESRI software. The course encourages teamwork, curiosity, observation, critical thinking, perseverance, creativity, as well as best practices, ethical conduct, and etiquette regarding fieldwork with drone technologies. We seek motivated students who want to learn practical techniques for acquiring and analyzing aerial data, and students who may be skeptical about drone technology.

PREREQUISITES: Experience with GIS software and concepts will be advantageous.

FORMAT: Each module will include a live lecture, discussion, and lab to learn basic drone operations and conduct mapping missions (streamed and recorded). The labs are designed to provide real-world experience with drone image analysis and drone data acquisition. Each lab is followed by practice exercises with support from the instructor. All fieldwork will be conducted in small groups to maximize participant experience with drone equipment. All participants will work in teams and learn aspects associated with different roles: pilot in command, visual observer, and camera operator. All participants will also work collaboratively on a final project for Hurricane Island.

CLASS CAP: 15 Participants

LOCATION: Hurricane Island, ME. More details to come.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT: This course has been pre-approved for continuing education by (1) the Ecological Society of America for 4 CEUs in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training, and (2) The Wildlife Society for 18 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ESA CERTIFICATION: This course is approved by the Ecological Society of America for 2 semester hours of qualified coursework that can be used to meet the minimum education requirements in Physical and Mathematical Science.