Drone Applications for Environmental Risk Assessment, Microcredential, Part-time

Program Overview

This blended program provides comprehensive training in remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) safety, sensor fundamentals, image processing, and applications in the green economy. Graduates develop job-ready skills in drone operations, digital mapping, 3D modeling, and environmental sustainability, preparing them for careers in forestry, agriculture, and other related fields.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Introduction to RPAS Safety and Transport Canada Certification (XRPA 1100)
• Overview of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) including applications and history.
• Transport Canada RPAS regulations and laws.
• RPAS operating procedures with emphasis on safety and understanding capabilities and limitations of the aircraft.
• Hands-on opportunity to set up an RPAS in preparation for an image acquisition mission.
• Fundamentals of Relevant Sensors and Flight Planning (XRPA 1200)
• Practical and theoretical skills on how to conduct a proper site survey and basics of mission planning a drone flight.
• Review of EMR theory and basics of passive remote sensors.
• Overview of applications of multi-spectral and thermal sensors with a goal of setting up a sensor for image acquisition.
• Cloud-based Processing of Visible, Thermal, and multi-spectral Images (XRPA 1500)
• Introduction to structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetric processing of color, multi-spectral, and thermal drone images to create digital surface models (DSM) and orthomosaics.
• Applications of RPAS to Quantifying Green Economy Metrics (XRPA 1600)
• Introduction to applied GIS-based analysis of color, multi-spectral, and radiometric thermal orthomosaics including normalized difference vegetation indices (NDVI), 3D thermal building envelope inspection, and assessing transportation corridor risks.

Assessment:

A minimum passing mark of 50% is required, based on the overall performance on one assignment and one quiz per week for a total of four weeks.

Teaching:

Blended program - part online, part on campus.

Careers:

Graduates gain job-ready skills in careers related to drone operations, digital mapping, 3D modeling, and environmental sustainability including forestry and agriculture.