- International Fees
International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Course Overview
This course introduces students to a wide variety of applications of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS, aka drones). You will learn from six instructors from the following program areas; Geomatics, Fish, Wildlife & Recreation, Media, Film and Broadcast, Aerospace about how drones are being used to gather important information about our environment. As drones increasingly become an indispensable tool across many fields, it is important to understand their capabilities and limitations. This truly interdisciplinary course offers an introductory insight into the rapidly evolving field of drone applications and helps students better understand the cross-sectoral utility of this positively disruptive technology.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
Domestic fees
$986.77
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Implement basic Transport Canada regulations to plan a drone image/video capture mission.
- Use provided software to process drone imagery into 2D and 3D data sets including point clouds, textured models, surface and terrain models and orthophoto mosaics.
- Classify LiDAR data by return number and layer.
- Identify and describe procedures for removal of signal noise and other sensor-related artifacts.
- Describe the various applications of drones to forestry, fish, wildlife, recreation and ecological restoration.
- Discuss the topics of simplified standard atmosphere, propulsion basics, fixed wing performance and quadrotor hover performance as they pertain to RPAS.
- Explain the fundamental differences between photogrammetric and LiDAR point clouds.
- Identify the correct camera settings for capturing images/video under different lighting conditions.
- Recognize specific hazards related to drone operations associated with the applications discussed.
- Classify photogrammetric and LiDAR point clouds into digital surface and terrain models (DSM & DTM).
Effective as of Fall 2020
Related Programs
Introduction to Interdisciplinary RPAS Applications (RPAS 3100) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Construction and the Environment
- Ecological Restoration
Bachelor of Science Full-time/Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2025
Below is one offering of RPAS 3100 for the Fall 2025 term.
CRN 52196
Dates
Sep 02 - Dec 09 Loading
- CRN 52196
- $986.77 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 02 - Dec 09 | Tue | 14:30 - 17:30 | Burnaby |
Duration
15 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Departmental approval needed
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- This course is reserved for the students in the Ecological Restoration program. Please contact Giti Abouhamzeh at giti_abouhamzeh@bcit.ca or 778-331-1392 to get permission. No class on Sep 30 due to stat holiday. No class on Nov 11 due to stat holiday. Make up classes will be announced by the instructor.
Status
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.