About This Offering

Drone technology is rapidly growing, and now is the perfect time to learn! We are here to guide you, so feel free to reach out. This experimental course may have some kinks, but your feedback is crucial. I hope you’ll be inspired to apply what you learn to research, hobbies, careers, or even start your own drone mapping business!

Registration form


Dr. Jeremy Maurer (“Dr. J)

I am an Assistant Professor in the Earth Sciences and Engineering department at Missouri S&T in Rolla, MO. My research focuses on applying physics, statistical, and computational techniques to solve problems in earthquake science and remote sensing. I am always trying to learn more about drones and plan to use them to help measure crustal strain accumulation and earthquake potential on large faults around the world. I received a B.A from Grace College in northern Indiana, an M.S. in Geological Sciences from Indiana University, and a PhD in Geophysics from Stanford University in 2018. After graduating I was a postdoctoral researcher at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA until joining the S&T faculty in January of 2020. 
  • Course cost: $1,400
  • Dates: June 5-6
  • Required Textbook, Software, and Hardware:
    • Zephyr Drone Simulator - https://zephyr-sim.com/
    • WebODM - https://www.opendronemap.org/webodm/download/
  • Prerequisites:
    • Basic computer knowledge
    • GIS experience
    • College algebra and trigonometry
  • Recommended Drones for this Course:
    • DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro / Mini 4 Pro
    • DJI Mavic 3E / 3M / 3T
    • For DOD/Federal Government Work:
    • Parrot Anafi
    • Most DOD-approved drones are large and provide somewhat customized solutions. See Dr. J for more details.

The course will cover UAS mapping technology and principles of UAS data collection, the basics of photogrammetry from UAV imagery, flight planning and execution, and processing collected imagery. GPS/GNSS is reviewed as it relates to acquiring ground control points. This course requires that participants have been FAA Part 107 certified and have a basic working knowledge of algebra, trigonometry, and computers. We will overview drone mapping software, and students will gain some experience with collecting imagery, using WebODM to process data and obtain orthomosaics and 3D point clouds. Lidar, multispectral mapping, thermal imaging, and DEM generation will also be covered briefly.
  • Be able to acquire imagery with a drone suitable for mapping.
  • Learn to use ground control for georeferencing drone imagery.
  • Be able to process drone imagery to produce orthomosaics, 3D point clouds, etc.
  • Produce appropriate derived products from a drone survey, including multispectral, lidar, and thermal images.
  • Fly mapping routes
  • Establish ground control
    • GNSS Surveying
    • Vertical datums and projections
  • Create and fly photogrammetry missions and process and visualize results
  • Create lidar missions and manipulate and visualize the data
  • Create multispectral and thermal missions and visualize the data
  • Work with point clouds and orthomosaics
  • Working with derived quantities from point clouds and DTMs

Prior to the course, there will be reading and videos assigned covering background material and flight practice in the Zephyr drone simulator. Students will need a computer to complete course assignments. Students may be asked to complete one pre-course assignment.