Island University Ranked Among Top 10 Universities in Nation for UAS Education

Oct. 27, 2014
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has been ranked among the Top 10 Universities Offering Degrees in UAS (unmanned aerial systems) by Development Counselors International.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has been ranked among the Top 10 Universities Offering Degrees in UAS (unmanned aerial systems) by Development Counselors International. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is the only university in Texas to be included on the national list. This distinction was granted for its UAS emphasis in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Geospatial Information Science and Surveying Engineering Programs.

“We’re excited to have made this national list that highlights our expertise in the field of UAS,” said University President Flavius Killebrew. “Not only is our specialty beneficial to our students pursing this research and training, but it will provide a significant economic boost and create thousands of jobs in Texas.”

Through its work with UAS test sites and with the emergence of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-authorized research initiatives, Development Counsellors International compiled the list of the top 10 universities offering degrees in UAS. The list, which is not ranked in a specific order, is backed by the firm’s research and knowledge of universities that offer UAS degrees. The list provides an idea of the range of programs available and highlights the significant research emerging from these universities.

The Island University led a statewide proposal to the FAA that culminated in Corpus Christi becoming one of the six test sites for UAS research and development with extensive airspace authorized by the FAA for UAS operations. In its Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Geospatial Information Science and Surveying Engineering Programs, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has an established UAS research program that covers aircraft design and practical applications for UAS. The University’s specialty focuses on studying how to incorporate UAS into marine environments using an RS-16 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and other UAVs such as eBee and rotorcraft.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) predicts that the UAS industry will produce more than 100,000 new jobs by 2025 – especially in states that create favorable environments for the industry. UAS pilots and thousands of UAS-related jobs will be in demand as this global industry is predicted to be valued at $82 billion during the next 10 years.

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About Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi: Offering more than 80 of the most popular degree programs in the state, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has proudly provided a solid academic reputation, renowned faculty, and highly-rated degree programs since 1947.  The Island University has earned its spot as a premier doctoral-granting institution, supporting a UAS test site, two institutes, and 13 research centers and labs. Discover your island at http://www.tamucc.edu/.

About the College of Science and Engineering: The College of Science and Engineering is preparing students in an array of life-changing studies such as aerodynamics, software development, genomics, and marine science. Engineering majors are finding solutions to problems using unmanned technologies. Marine scientists are working in the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific to identify new species and harmful algal toxins. The University is also home to a nationally certified Computer Science program, the Plasma Engineering Research Lab, the nation’s premier Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) program, and the Center for Coastal Studies.