Drones for Environmental Science

Drones for Environmental Science

Instructor: Dr. David W. Johnston

What you'll 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.

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Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

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.

You'll begin by gaining 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.

What's included

5 videos8 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts

5 videosTotal 35 minutes

Introducing the Duke Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab1 minutePreview module
Welcome to Drones for Environmental Science5 minutes
A Minor Rant on Drones Terminology 5 minutes
Anatomy of Multirotor Drones9 minutes
Anatomy of Fixed-Wing Drones14 minutes

8 readingsTotal 90 minutes

General Course Information10 minutes
What Is the Duke Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab?10 minutes
Entry Survey10 minutes
Pathway to the Duke Drones Certificate Program10 minutes
Discussion Guidelines10 minutes
Course Glossary10 minutes
Introduction to the Anatomy of a Drone10 minutes
Electromagnetic Spectrum and Drone Sensors20 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Drone Anatomy and Terminology30 minutes
Drone Terminology and Basics30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Course Meet and Greet10 minutes
Let Us Know if Something’s Not Working 10 minutes

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.

What's included

6 videos1 reading2 assignments1 discussion prompt

6 videosTotal 40 minutes

Intro to Five Qualities Framework12 minutesPreview module
Why Use Drones? Affordability4 minutes
Why Use Drones? Immediacy4 minutes
Why Use Drones? Efficiency6 minutes
Why Use Drones? Quality6 minutes
Why Use Drones? Safety5 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Counting Seabirds10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Reasons to Use Drones II30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Reasons to Use Drones I30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

What kind of project would you like to use drones to accomplish?10 minutes

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.

What's included

6 videos5 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

6 videosTotal 82 minutes

What Limits the Application of Drones?7 minutesPreview module
Professional Ethics in Environmental Research15 minutes
Protocol Playbook: Putting Mission Considerations Together11 minutes
Protocol Playbook: Safety Tips8 minutes
Protocol Playbook: Habitat Mapping Tips13 minutes
Protocol Playbook: Mammals and Avifauna Tips26 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Towards Comprehensive Best Practices for Drone Use in Environmental Research10 minutes
Legal Requirements10 minutes
Protocol Playbook10 minutes
About the Duke Dialogue Pilot10 minutes
Give Us Your Feedback on Dialogue!10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Planning For Success: Legal and Ethical Considerations30 minutes
What Limits Drone Use? Regulations and Ethical Considerations30 minutes
Planning for Success: Operations and Safety30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

What are some considerations you would need to take into account when planning a mission of interest? 10 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Complete a Population Count with a Drone15 minutes

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.