sofia university certificate & masters programs in transformative unmanned aircraft computing...

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Sofia UniversityCertificate & Masters Programs in Transformative

Unmanned Aircraft Computing and Systems/Operations

Donna A. Dulo MS, MA, MSCIS, MAS, MBA, JD, PhD(c)December 2014

S o fi a U n i v e r s i t y P r o g r a m s i n T r a n s f o r m a ti v e U n m a n n e d A i r c r a ft C o m p u ti n g , S y s t e m s , a n d O p e r a ti o n s

Program Developer and Director Donna A. Dulo

PhD(c) Software Engineering Naval Postgraduate School

JD Monterey College of Law

MS Systems Engineering Johns Hopkins University

MS Computer Science Naval Postgraduate School

MAS Aeronautics Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

MA National Security & Strategic Studies Naval War College

MBA Engineering/Technology Management City University

MS Computer Information Systems University of Phoenix

BS Economics US Coast Guard Academy

Diploma US Marine Corps Command and Staff College

Diploma US Navy College of Naval Command and Staff

Diploma Arabic Program Defense Language Institute

Diploma Paralegal Studies Blackstone School of Law

Certificate Computer Security Stanford University

• Mathematician, Computer Scientist, Systems/Software Engineer US Department of Defense (26 years)

• Software/Systems Safety & Security Engineer Icarus Interstellar

• Professor at various universities for over 10 years

• Editor and Lead Author American Bar Association’s Book “Unmanned Aircraft in the National Airspace: Issues of Technology and the Law”

• Legal Writer for AUVSI “Unmanned Systems” Magazine

• Published articles in various professional and academic journals:

• Unmanned Aircraft Law• Software Engineering• Computer Science

• Founder and President of Unmanned Aircraft Safety and Security Society, Inc.

• Featured on NPR “All Things Considered”, Slate.com “Future Tense”, Discovery News, American Bar Association publications


Transformative Unmanned Aircraft Programs

Transformational Event

(Disruptive Innovation)

Time

Mess Settlement

Innovator

Transformative Technology Transformed Industry

Transformed Lives

• The masters and certificate programs deliver foundations for the latest cutting edge unmanned aircraft computational technologies and systems/operations.

• The programs cover the leading unmanned aircraft technologies in the industry and reflects current trends and future technologies that are transforming the field of unmanned aircraft and ultimately transforming the aviation industry and industries relying on aviation.


• With the Federal Aviation Administration slated to integrate unmanned aircraft into the country’s airspace as early as 2015, the demand for safe, reliable, and resilient unmanned aircraft is growing exponentially.

• Estimates project that sales of civilian unmanned aircraft will reach over $20 billion within the next 5 years.

• The Programs cover unmanned aircraft computer and software technologies, vital algorithms that support unmanned aircraft operations and system autonomy, as well as critical software architectures that support anti-collision and auto-land technologies that are central to safe unmanned aircraft operations.

• Additionally, the Programs cover unmanned aircraft aeronautical architecture, systems, operations, and the legal regulations which govern the research, development, and application of critical technologies to unmanned aircraft to ensure that they all implemented technologies are compliant with FAA, FCC, and other federal and state regulations.

Designed for both professionals and those wishing to enter this lucrative field, the professional unmanned aircraft programs cover the critical areas of unmanned systems computer science, systems, operations, and technology that are central to safe and reliable unmanned aircraft systems operations.



• Master of Science in Computer Science specializing in Transformational Unmanned Aircraft Computing

• Professional Certificate in Transformational Unmanned Aircraft Computing

• Professional Certificate in Transformational Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Operations

Sofia University Professional Unmanned Aircraft Programs:



A Master of Science in Transformative Unmanned Aircraft Computing



Program Features : • Onsite and hybrid/online formats• Combine technological development with transpersonal values and skills for the

practicing professional• Promote creativity, cultural sensitivity and mindfulness• Bring essential skills and values to the next generation of well-balanced leaders in

the workplace• Small classes and close interaction with faculty• Faculty that are experts in their field, and bring the cutting edge technology and

real-world computing experience to the classroom.

The Master of Science in Computer Science at Sofia University provides students with a broad background in software development and other core disciplines of computer science. It also gives them the opportunity to further their knowledge in foundational and applied topics.

A Master of Science in Transformative Unmanned Aircraft Computing



2. Transformational Unmanned Aircraft Computing Requirements : Innovation and Transformation in UAS Computing Technologies Unmanned Aircraft Technology for Computer Professionals Software Safety in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Algorithms and Computational Processes in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Computer Security & Information Assurance in UAS Autonomous Systems and Collision Avoidance Algorithms in UAS

1. General Master’s of Computer Science Requirements:

48 units (2 year program)

5 Core (4 CS courses and 1 Transpersonal Studies course)13 Electives (11 CS courses and 2 Transpersonal Studies course).

Sofia University is proud to lead the industry with this groundbreaking forward looking professional certificate program.

Certificate Program in Transformative Unmanned Aircraft Systems Computing

This cutting edge professional certificate program is comprised of 7 highly specialized and technologically transformative courses focusing on unmanned aircraft computational systems and other vital supporting technological and legal areas.

Professional Computing Certificate Courses: Innovation and Transformation in UAS Systems and Technologies Unmanned Aircraft Technology Software Safety in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Algorithms and Computational Processes in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Computer Security & Information Assurance in UAS Autonomous Systems and Collision Avoidance Algorithms in UAS Legal Aspects of UAS Computing and Technology


Sofia University is proud to lead the industry with this groundbreaking forward looking professional certificate program.

Certificate Program in Transformative Unmanned Aircraft Systems & Operations

This cutting edge professional certificate program is comprised of 7 highly specialized and technologically transformative courses focusing on unmanned aircraft systems and operations and other vital supporting technological and legal areas.

Professional Systems/Operations Certificate Courses: Innovation and Transformation in UAS Systems and Technologies Unmanned Aircraft Technology Safety, Security, and Reliability in Systems and Operations of Unmanned Aircraft Unmanned Aircraft Systems Mission Planning and Operations Unmanned Aircraft Payloads, Sensors, Photography, & Operations Satellite Systems, Ground Control, and Communications in UAS Operations Legal Aspects of UAS Computing and Technology



Sample Course Descriptions


Innovation and Transformation in UAS Systems and Technologies

This course focuses on the foundations of invention and innovation as applied to the rapidly developing field of unmanned aircraft. A survey of current unmanned aircraft technology is presented along with the central computational structures of those aircraft. The use of unmanned aircraft in the national airspace and the coupling of proper technologies with their specific use is presented along with current case studies. New and innovative technologies, prototypes, and future unmanned aircraft technologies are also studied in depth. The application of transformative unmanned aircraft computational technologies as integrated in cutting edge airframes is a specific area of focus for this course. The course concludes with the development of a concept unmanned aircraft equipped with sound computer systems, software architectures, and algorithms.

Unmanned Aircraft Technology

This course introduces aeronautical foundations of unmanned aircraft structure and design. It focuses on the primary airframes of unmanned systems: fixed wing, rotorcraft, tilt rotor, and lighter than air along with various hybrid technologies. The course also introduces avionics, propulsion, and payload systems and their interactions and control through computer busses and architecture. A central focus of the course is the interaction of computer structures with the aircraft to promote safety while managing the foundational stability and control properties of the aircraft: lift, thrust, drag and weight. A survey of aeronautical principles is presented along with aerodynamics and aviation science. Technologies such as launch and recovery systems, GPS, communications, ground stations, data-link technologies, and wireless technologies are also presented. The course concludes with the development of a comprehensive proposal applying unmanned aircraft technology to solve a challenging technological problem in a selected industry.

Algorithms and Computational Processes in Unmanned Aircraft Systems

This course provides an in depth survey of the algorithms and computational processes in various unmanned aircraft models. The concept of data-link functions and attributes is covered extensively including the computational processes for data-link system processes, data rates and restrictions, data-link margins as well as data-link tradeoffs. Computational structures responsible for aircraft stability and control, propulsion, and payload management are also covered extensively. Autopilot systems and manual control systems are covered in conjunction with the concepts of longitudinal, lateral and dynamic stability to ensure that aircraft and ground station software support safe, reliable flight. The use of software to control sensors, controllers, and actuators as well as total airframe control is thoroughly discussed. The course concludes with the development of a comprehensive software algorithm design to be implemented in a current operational unmanned aircraft.




Autonomous Systems and Collision Avoidance Algorithms in UAS

This advanced course covers the critical safety algorithms for unmanned aircraft: collision avoidance algorithms and autonomous operations algorithms. Autonomous control reflects that the control of the aircraft is maintained through the aircraft hardware and software systems. In an unmanned aircraft this control is maintained by the onboard computer system which is fed information by onboard sensors, actuators, controllers, GPS and navigational signals, as well as complex software algorithms which all together maintain the operations, stability and control of the aircraft in all aspects of its flight. This course presents advanced computational concepts to ensure that all of these systems are working in tandem to ensure a safe, reliable autonomous or semi-autonomous flight to perform the mission of the unmanned aircraft through computer based throttle control, altitude control, attitude control, as well as control on one, two, or all three aerodynamic axes. The course also covers “sense and avoid” based collision algorithms to ensure that unmanned aircraft avoid aerial threats and also have the ability to auto-land should communication links be severed. The course concludes with a comprehensive algorithm design for a software based autonomous unmanned aircraft collision avoidance system with auto-land capabilities.

Computer Security & Information Assurance in UAS

This course covers vital information assurance and computer security principles as applied to unmanned aircraft. Information assurance principles such as availability, integrity, and confidentiality are applied to unmanned aircraft systems to ensure the integrity of data and information. The complex concepts of data privacy, data security, and the relationship of security to unmanned aircraft safety are integral to this course. Many facets of UAS security such as integrated circuit security, physical security, personnel security, systems security, and operations security are discussed and related directly to information assurance principles. The concepts of risks, threats, and vulnerabilities as applied to unmanned aircraft systems are covered as well as the mitigation them through various unmanned aircraft software and computer technologies in a defense in depth structure. The course also includes a survey of various laws and government initiatives to implement information assurance in the national airspace. The course concludes with the development of a NIST compliant comprehensive information assurance plan for the complete unmanned aircraft system: aircraft, ground station, personnel, and supporting communications infrastructure.




Software Safety in Unmanned Aircraft Systems

This course presents the foundations of software safety, reliability, availability, resilience and failure obviation in the context of unmanned aircraft computer and software systems. It covers the basic safety models of software and systems and applies those models to unmanned aircraft control systems, algorithms, and functional software. The concepts of software errors, faults, and hazards are covered as well as methodologies to mitigate them such as hazard analysis, fault trees, failure obviation processes, and resilience techniques. Basic mathematical software formal methods are presented to demonstrate the power of mathematical modeling to safety critical systems such as unmanned aircraft. The course concludes with the development of a comprehensive software safety design and resilience plan for a selected operational unmanned aircraft.

Legal Aspects of UAS Computing and Technology

This course covers the emerging area of unmanned aircraft law and regulation. It covers vital areas of the law including national airspace integration regulations, constitutional issues, safety laws, privacy laws, as well as issues of liability for unmanned aircraft software and systems developers. It also covers FAA and FCC rulemaking processes as applied to unmanned aircraft. A comprehensive survey of manned and unmanned legal cases is presented as well as their implications to unmanned aircraft developers and operators. Specific laws as related to research, development, and implementation of new unmanned aircraft models is discussed. Issues such as negligence, strict liability, product liability, the operation of an ultra-hazardous vehicle, and criminal culpability and civil liability will be discussed extensively. The course concludes with the development of an in depth legal case brief of a current unmanned aircraft court case.

A B A A n n u a l M e e ti n g A u g u s t 2 0 1 3

Leading the industry with groundbreaking transformative unmanned aircraft professional education.


Sofia UniversityCertificate & Masters Programs in Transformative

Unmanned Aircraft Computing and Systems/Operations

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sofia university certificate & masters programs in transformative unmanned aircraft computing...

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