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Drones for Environmental Science
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 12 hours
  • Course by Duke University
  • Offered by

About

Duke Environment+ will be hosting a virtual informational session on Drones for Environmental Science on July 25 at 7 p.m. ET. For more details and to register for the Zoom webinar, see the related FAQ at the bottom of this page. How can drones be used for good in environmental science? What types of data can scientists collect, and how should they go about collecting it using drones? Why should someone integrate drones into their existing career or pursue this field? 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.

Modules

Introduction to Drones for Environmental Science

    • 3 Videos
    • 6 Readings
    • 2 Discussion
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2 Discussions

  • Course Meet and Greet
  • Let Us Know if Something’s Not Working

3 Videos

  • Introducing the Duke Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab
  • Welcome to Drones for Environmental Science
  • A Minor Rant on Drones Terminology

6 Readings

  • General Course Information
  • What Is the Duke Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab?
  • Entry Survey
  • Pathway to the Duke Drones Certificate Program
  • Discussion Guidelines
  • Course Glossary

Anatomy of a Drone

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Drone Terminology and Basics
  • Drone Anatomy and Terminology

2 Videos

  • Anatomy of Multirotor Drones
  • Anatomy of Fixed-Wing Drones

2 Readings

  • Introduction to the Anatomy of a Drone
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum and Drone Sensors

Lesson 1: The Framework + First Three Qualities

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Practice Quiz: Reasons to Use Drones I

4 Videos

  • Intro to Five Qualities Framework
  • Why Use Drones? Affordability
  • Why Use Drones? Immediacy
  • Why Use Drones? Efficiency

1 Readings

  • Counting Seabirds

Lesson 2: Final Two Qualities

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Reasons to Use Drones II

1 Discussions

  • What kind of project would you like to use drones to accomplish?

2 Videos

  • Why Use Drones? Quality
  • Why Use Drones? Safety

Lesson 1: Legal and Ethical Considerations

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • What Limits Drone Use? Regulations and Ethical Considerations

2 Videos

  • What Limits the Application of Drones?
  • Professional Ethics in Environmental Research

2 Readings

  • Towards Comprehensive Best Practices for Drone Use in Environmental Research
  • Legal Requirements

Lesson 2: Mission Planning

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Planning for Success: Operations and Safety
  • Planning For Success: Legal and Ethical Considerations

1 Discussions

  • What are some considerations you would need to take into account when planning a mission of interest?

4 Videos

  • Protocol Playbook: Putting Mission Considerations Together
  • Protocol Playbook: Safety Tips
  • Protocol Playbook: Habitat Mapping Tips
  • Protocol Playbook: Mammals and Avifauna Tips

1 Readings

  • Protocol Playbook

Lesson 1: The Scientist Pilot

    • 3 Videos
    • 5 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Scientist Pilot Quiz

3 Videos

  • Drones in Careers: Troy Walton | UNC Drone Lab
  • Drones in Careers: Eric Angel Ramos | University of Vermont
  • Drones in Careers: Allix North | National Estuarine Research Reserve

5 Readings

  • Becoming the Scientist Pilot
  • What is the Scientist Pilot?
  • Interview Bio: Meet Troy Walton
  • Interview Bio: Meet Eric Angel Ramos
  • Interview Bio: Meet Allix North

Lesson 2: Joining the FlightDeck

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Networking

1 Videos

  • What's Next?

3 Readings

  • Getting Involved in the Drones Community
  • Final Course Survey
  • Survey Interest Form for Environment+ Future Programming
Dr. David W. Johnston
Instructor

Dr. David W. Johnston