K-State Salina expands unmanned aircraft degree options

Kansas State University Salina said Thursday it is adding an unmanned aircraft systems option to its degree programs.

Beginning this fall, it said it will offer a bachelor of science in engineering technology with an unmanned aircraft systems option. It said in a news release the new option complements an existing aeronautical technology bachelor’s degree in UAS, centered around piloting and field operations, by focusing on the design and implementation of unmanned systems.

It also will add a UAS minor with both a flight operations focus and a data acquisition and management focus.

“When most people think of an unmanned system they usually envision the pilot, not the engineers who design, build and keep it operating properly,” Saeed Khan, K-State Salina engineering technology associate professor and lead of the new program, said in the release. “But the growing UAS industry needs graduates who have technical expertise and a passion for problem-solving. Previously, students would have to double major if they wanted to focus on the engineering side of unmanned systems, but this new program will give them an integrated education without added hours or costs.”

This story was originally published June 25, 2015 at 10:02 AM with the headline "K-State Salina expands unmanned aircraft degree options."