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Drones for Environmental Science

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Drones for Environmental Science

Instructor: Dr. David W. Johnston

7,542 already enrolled

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

85 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

85 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

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.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

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 videos9 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 36 minutes

Introducing the Duke Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab1 minute
Welcome to Drones for Environmental Science5 minutes
A Minor Rant on Drones Terminology 5 minutes
Anatomy of Multirotor Drones10 minutes
Anatomy of Fixed-Wing Drones14 minutes

9 readingsTotal 95 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
Report a problem with the course5 minutes
Introduction to the Anatomy of a Drone10 minutes
Electromagnetic Spectrum and Drone Sensors20 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Drone Terminology and Basics30 minutes
Drone Anatomy and Terminology30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Course Meet and Greet10 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 minutes
Why Use Drones? Affordability4 minutes
Why Use Drones? Immediacy4 minutes
Why Use Drones? Efficiency7 minutes
Why Use Drones? Quality7 minutes
Why Use Drones? Safety6 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Counting Seabirds10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Practice Quiz: Reasons to Use Drones I30 minutes
Reasons to Use Drones II30 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 videos4 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt

6 videosTotal 83 minutes

What Limits the Application of Drones?7 minutes
Professional Ethics in Environmental Research16 minutes
Protocol Playbook: Putting Mission Considerations Together12 minutes
Protocol Playbook: Safety Tips9 minutes
Protocol Playbook: Habitat Mapping Tips13 minutes
Protocol Playbook: Mammals and Avifauna Tips26 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Towards Comprehensive Best Practices for Drone Use in Environmental Research10 minutes
Legal Requirements10 minutes
Protocol Playbook10 minutes
About Dialogue 10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

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

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.

What's included

4 videos9 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

4 videosTotal 69 minutes

Drones in Careers: Troy Walton | UNC Drone Lab20 minutes
Drones in Careers: Eric Angel Ramos | University of Vermont22 minutes
Drones in Careers: Allix North | National Estuarine Research Reserve 21 minutes
What's Next?5 minutes

9 readingsTotal 90 minutes

Becoming the Scientist Pilot10 minutes
What is the Scientist Pilot?10 minutes
Interview Bio: Meet Troy Walton10 minutes
Interview Bio: Meet Eric Angel Ramos10 minutes
Interview Bio: Meet Allix North10 minutes
Getting Involved in the Drones Community10 minutes
Final Course Survey10 minutes
Survey Interest Form for Environment+ Future Programming10 minutes
Share your learning experience10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Scientist Pilot Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Networking10 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(33 ratings)

Dr. David W. Johnston

Duke University

1 Course7,542 learners

Offered by

Duke University

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Reviewed on Sep 3, 2025

Great information and inspirational interviews with researchers who are utilizing drones for good.

Reviewed on Jul 26, 2023

I think this is one of the best courses that you can take if you really want to learn about this topic and more!

Reviewed on Aug 22, 2025

This is one of best course I have opportunity to learn. I'm so grateful.

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Frequently asked questions

Duke Environment+ will be hosting an informational session on Drones for Environmental Science on July 25 at 7 p.m. ET. You can register for this virtual session via the Zoom registration page.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.