Drones for Environmental Science (Coursera)

This Duke Environment+ course serves as an introduction for anyone interested in learning more about drone use in the environmental sciences. No background knowledge in drones is assumed or necessary.

Over the course of four weeks, you will discover the basics of drone use in the environmental sciences, including specific benefits of using drones for scientific research; types of drones and how they are used for different purposes and missions; and best research practices, including legal and ethical concerns. The final week of the course will help you get started on exploring different career paths that involve drones by introducing you to professionals working with this technology in the environmental sciences.

By the end of the course, you should be better equipped to consider how to use drones for your own research interests, and you will be better prepared for the more in-depth Environment+ course sequence UAS Applicants and Operations in Environmental Science, should you decide to continue your studies.

What You Will Learn

Describe how a variety of drones can accomplish important missions for environmental science.

Explain the importance of key best practices in drone research, including legal and ethical concerns.

Discover relevant career paths in drones for environmental science.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Introduction to Drones

This week will provide you with foundational drone knowledge. You will learn about inclusive language that you can use to describe drones, the major drone components, and different types of drones. Your knowledge will be assessed via quizzes.

WEEK 2

Why Drones Are Good for Environmental Research

This week, you will learn about the importance of drones for environmental science and management, including the pros and cons of gathering data using drones versus using traditional techniques. Your knowledge will be assessed via quizzes, and an optional discussion post gives you an opportunity to consider how you could use drones in your own research.

WEEK 3

How to Approach Research with Drones

This week, you will learn about how you should approach using drones for research both ethically and legally. You’ll also learn about how to choose an appropriate drone for different types of environmental missions. Your knowledge will be assessed via quizzes, and you will have the opportunity to explore mission planning in an optional discussion post.

WEEK 4

Career Paths

This week, you’ll learn about the concept of the scientist pilot and meet four different professionals who embody its characteristics. This week will help you think about different career pathways that use drones for environmental sciences, and you’ll complete a final graded quiz and discussion post to help you consider these fields of interest.