Browse drones courses and programs

Learn about drone courses and certifications 

Learning how to effectively use this technology can now take place from the convenience of your home with an online drone course. edX offers a number of different learning opportunities for individuals interested in studying drones that cover topics such as:

• How to decide whether a drone is useful for a specific mission

• What types of drones can be used for different tasks

• What regulatory requirements must individuals consider when using drones

• How to create and execute a safe mission

• How to understand the data that drones collect

Learners also have the opportunity to delve deeper into drone programming, with coursework that explores the algorithms required to design mobile robots that act autonomously in complex environments. Study topics like environment perception and motion planning that can help build the foundational knowledge for a career working with these useful robots.

Explore drone jobs

Creating a drone can be done at home or can involve a team of people with different skills and backgrounds, depending on the complexity. These can include engineers, designers, computer scientists, aerospace experts, and software developers.The team may also need support from mechanical and electrical engineers, as well as technicians and fabricators. Those interested in pursuing one of the careers that help in the development of drones should research the requirements of working in the specific field. Many of the roles listed require higher level learning that can be obtained through a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree. However, learners may also find that a boot camp provides the necessary level of instruction on a more specialized topic. 

Additionally, many professionals who utilize this technology do not need a background in development or programming. They may find that a drone training or tutorial that covers how to operate the tool is sufficient for their purposes. Job roles that may require operation of drones include:

• Professional drone pilots: fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for commercial purposes, such as videography, surveying land, mapping, inspections, and monitoring. 

• Aerial photographers: capture stunning aerial photography for real estate, weddings, events, and other occasions. 

• Agricultural workers: monitor crops and livestock, map out land, and apply fertilizers and pesticides. 

• Package delivery operators: deliver packages to customers quickly and efficiently. 

• Search and rescue personnel: locate people in need of assistance, such as lost hikers or victims of natural disasters. 

• Law enforcement officers: monitor suspicious activity, survey crime scenes, and investigate accidents. 

• Filmmakers: capture aerial shots for films, television shows, and music videos. 

• Engineers: inspect infrastructure, such as bridges, power lines, and buildings, as well as to monitor construction sites.

• Service members: use military drones to monitor enemy activities, identify and pinpoint targets for combat operations, and relay intelligence information to commanders.

How to learn drone programming and piloting

Developing a drone can require knowledge about a number of different topics, including: 

• Electronics and electrical engineering 

• Coding languages such as Python or C++ 

• Aeronautical engineering and physics 

• Sensors and control systems 

• Communication protocols and systems 

• Drone hardware and software 

• Navigational systems and GPS 

• Troubleshooting techniques for software and hardware issues 

• Safety protocols and regulations

Learners interested in studying these fields should explore the suite of offerings that edX provides, which include degree programs such as a bachelor’s degree in data science or a master’s degree in data science, as well as shorter, more specialized learning opportunities such as boot camps in coding.