This is an exciting time for anyone interested in expanding their skills in the remote sensing field. Over recent decades, remote sensing has made a radical shift from its traditional role of being the central data engine of geographical information systems (GISs) to an imagery-enabled application horizon. One key reason for this?

Numerous innovations in drone, also know as unmanned aerial system (UAS), technology has taken remote sensing out of the experts’ domain and made it much more mainstream. Drones equipped with onboard computer-controlled cameras can be flown virtually anywhere, anytime, with the capacity to reach places that humans and other machines cannot. Equipped with sensors, drones can acquire very detailed data, thus reducing the need to rely on data from satellites or manned aircraft—both of which can be expensive and time-consuming propositions.

Fast, efficient, and productive; no wonder UASs are opening up a world of commercial and government applications for remote sensing data collection and analysis. In addition, various advancements in artificial intelligence and big data have enabled providers of geospatial analytics solutions and services to offer on-demand analytics of large and complex datasets.

The bottom line? The investment bank, Goldman Sachs, estimates that the global market for drones will reach USD 100 billion by the end of 2020, according to its research report entitled Drones Reporting for Work. Moreover, the global geospatial imagery analytics market size is expected to grow from USD 6.9 billion in 2020 to USD 27.9 billion in 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 32.1% during the forecast period. This is greatly expanding the opportunities for people with knowledge in geospatial analytics. Develop such skills and you’ll have a much greater chance to secure employment or promotions in this dynamic field.

Here's how the UConn Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data Analytics Online Graduate Certificate can support your career growth.  

Weekly topics supported by labs: In general, the online courses are structured around weekly modules, each focusing on a different topic. In addition, some of the courses include online labs, which give you an opportunity to work on projects to gain hands-on experience. You can choose your own computer-based project; it can even be related specifically to your job. Or, we can provide project ideas from which you choose. Either way, our instructors will help you find the data, tools, and materials you need to secure actionable information to inform decision-making. You’ll learn how to analyze the data and present the results in a variety of formats. Such projects are key to helping students understand and internalize remote sensing concepts.

Ongoing interaction with other students: You may be surprised to discover that our online platform creates a highly interactive, collaborative experience. How? Faculty members post questions to a discussion board to which students add their responses—and can respond to each other, providing invaluable feedback and insights. Students have time to think and edit before they post—even those individuals who may be reluctant to talk in a traditional classroom setting feel more comfortable expressing their ideas and views. The online discussions can get quite lively!

Supports preparation for certification exams: The knowledge you gain from UConn’s Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data Analytics Online Graduate Certificate program can help you prepare for GISP and/or ASPRS exams, and potentially help in taking the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam.

Note: Credits earned in UConn’s Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data Analytics Online Graduate Certificate program are highly relevant to several existing UConn MS and PhD programs, including Natural Resources, Geography, and Geological Sciences.