This newest Aerospace concentration includes hands-on courses on building and flying unmanned aircraft systems, manned pilot training to earn a private pilot license, core aerospace courses, and participation with industry partners. Majors also will take an interdisciplinary, technical path through electricity principles, computer science, geographic information systems (GIS), agriculture, business and other programs. Graduates can pursue careers in desired industries from agriculture, public safety, photography, media, disaster response/management, the power industry, defense department positions, and an endless list of others.

Aerospace department stays on ‘cutting edge’Unmanned aircraft courses have been taught since spring 2014, originally offered as electives while the complete concentration was being built. The UAS Operations concentration received Tennessee Board of Regents approval in late 2014. “We strive to stay on the cutting edge of technology and safety in our programs,” Aerospace department chair Ron Ferrara says. “This significant shift in the aviation industry will have profound positive effects, and we are paving the way for students to enter this career field.” The new major is fully available for the Fall 2015 semester. Current Aerospace students are allowed to add UAS Operations as their major concentration online after talking to their advisor first. “As the national airspace system is reshaped through unmanned aircraft and new technologies, MTSU students will be able to lead the way and find lucrative positions in the workforce,” Ferrara says. “This is a chance for our graduates to work in multiple industries and bring the advances and benefits of aviation—and unmanned aircraft—to those previously not reached.”