Course Description:
Dr. Susan Cohen and Mr. Fleming Talton, Institute for the Environment, UNC-Chapel Hill This short course will explore the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS; drone platforms and sensors) for environmental research and management. The course will consist of a combination of classroom lectures, hands-on UAS flights for data collection, and data processing and interpretation. All flying will be weather-dependent, so the daily schedule will be flexible. The class will collectively design, conduct, and complete a project that culminates in high-resolution mapping imagery and interpretation. We will use both RGB (true color) and multispectral sensors to explore different product types. Class will begin with the basics of drone safety, regulations, and airspace as well as broadly exploring drone applications. Students will obtain hands-on experience in the step-by-step process of planning a mission to meet project objectives to include: flight planning, execution of safety protocols, flying the mission, processing imagery data using photogrammetry software, and exporting imagery and products. Prerequisites: Introductory biology, ecology, or permission of instructor. The course assumes no prior training in UAS flights, so there are no prerequisites or drone experience required. Read-ahead materials will be sent several weeks before the class begins.

Web Address of Course Info:
https://highlandsbiological.org/2021/

Contact (Name and email):
Katie Cooke, [email protected]