Advanced Photogrammetry and Mapping with UAS—Graduate Certificate | College of Engineering

Online Education for Working Professionals

Prepare for the mapping use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Meet the industry demand for skills in the exploration of geospatial data.

Gain applied geospatial science and technology skills, including sensors and their calibration methods. Learn digital photogrammetry and photogrammetric computer vision. Engage in UAS flight planning and Earth Observation Systems (EOS) imagery photogrammetric processing. Formulate digital representations of 2D products and 3D models. Expand your career in geospatial engineering and integrated geospatial technology, civil engineering, forestry, geosciences, computational sciences, and computer engineering. Be prepared for the professional certifications as ASPRS Mapping Scientists or UAS Scientists. Photogrammetry jobs pay an average of $78,810 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Figures from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dated May 2023.

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How to Apply

3 courses in 3 semesters.

Department	Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
Admissions requirement	BS degree
Contact	Angela Keranen

Length	3 courses in 2-3 semesters
Effort	3 hours per credit per week
Each course	3 credits
Total credits	9
Course type	Online or on-campus
Modality	Watch class recordings on demand
Cost	Based on credits and course type
Already enrolled?	Speak with your advisor

Curriculum

Progress quickly with a compact curriculum. Work with the program advisor to select courses that fit your interests and pre-requisite skills.

Required Courses

Take 6 credits of required courses.

SU 4140 - Photogrammetry & UAV Mapping

Basic principles of photogrammetry and its role as a technology for spatial data collection. Use of photogrammetry in the fields of surveying, engineering, and geographic information management will be discussed.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall

SU 5541 - Close-range Photogrammetry

The main topics that will be covered are: math fundamentals; imaging technology; the photogrammetric process; image acquisition planning; interior orientation; bundle block adjustment; 3D plotting; orthoprojection; image-matching techniques; and close range photogrammetry applications.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
Pre-Requisite(s): SU 4140

Electives

Take a 3-credit elective course.

SU 5540 - Advanced Photogrammetry - Satellite Photogrammetry

Fundamentals of spaceborne imaging systems relevant to topographic mapping. Imagery products: preprocessing levels and metadata. Specific methods of space photogrammetry. Review of contemporary spaceborne imaging systems and imagery products available. Airborne non-frame sensors and photogrammetric processing of the imagery.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-3)
Semesters Offered: On Demand
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
Pre-Requisite(s): SU 4140

SU 5010 - Geospatial Concepts, Technologies, and Data

High-level review of geospatial data acquisition systems, sensors and associated processing technologies. Course considers geospatial metadata generation principles, interoperability, and major tools for manipulation with geospatial data. Course may help in transition of non-geospatial majors to geospatial field.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Integrated Geospatial Tech, Surveying Engineering, Geospatial Engineering

SU 5142 - 3D Surveying and Modeling with Laser Scanner Data

Theory and application of terrestrial LIDAR scanning. Typical application scenarios are also included. Intensive lab component provides hands-on experience in LIDAR point cloud processing and visualization.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

SU 5013 - Hydrographic Mapping and Surveying

This course comprises theory and applications of hydrographic mapping technologies. Typical application scenarios are covered. An intensive lab component provides hands-on experience in hydrographic data processing and visualization.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-1)
Semesters Offered: Spring

Typical Schedule

The minimum completion time is one semester.

Fall	Spring
SU 4140	SU 5540 SU 5541

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to the Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts, test scores, or letters needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Program Specific

Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
GMAT/GRE: Not required
Preferred major: Civil, environmental or related degree

International Students

TOEFL: Recommended Score of 79 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Overall Band Score of 6.5

Admissions Decisions

Made on a rolling basis.

Certificate Admissions

Prospective Students

Prospective students and non-degree seeking students interested in obtaining a graduate certificate must apply to the certificate program using the online application.
Accelerated certificate options exist for current Michigan Tech undergraduate students in good standing and have achieved at least junior-level standing or recent bachelor’s graduates of Michigan Tech (less than two years).
The number of credits earned prior to admission that can be counted are restricted.

Current Graduate Students

Current Michigan Tech graduate students who are in a degree program do not need to formally apply. Current students must still submit the appropriate degree schedule in order to complete the certificate.

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Interested in taking a single, online course? Enroll as a non-degree seeking student.

Upon completion of the Certificate the student should be able to:

Solve photogrammetric engineering problems, and apply their solution to real world application scenarios.
Process photogrammetrically UAS and satellite imagery to extract positionally accurate geospatial information.

Michigan Tech was founded in 1885.

The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and widely respected by fast-paced industries, including automotive development, infrastructure, manufacturing, and aerospace. Michigan Tech graduates deliver on rapid innovation and front-line research, leaning into any challenge with confidence.

The College of Engineering fosters excellence in education and research.

We set out as the Michigan Mining School in 1885 to train mining engineers to better operate copper mines. Today, more than 60 percent of Michigan Tech students are enrolled in our 17 undergraduate and 29 graduate engineering programs across nine departments. Our students and curriculum embrace the spirit of hard work and fortitude our founders once had. Our online graduate courses are the same, robust classes taken by our doctorate and masters candidates, taught directly by highly regarded faculty, with outstanding support from staff. We invite working professionals to join these courses, bring their own experience and challenges as part of the discussion. Leverage the national reputation of Michigan Tech to advance your career in tech leadership.

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Engineering Salaries

Online Certified Instructors

Meet the online certified instructors. Students have the flexibility to review class recordings later.

Jeffery Hollingsworth

Professor of Practice, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering

jphollin@mtu.edu

Teaching Statement

Mr. Hollingsworth has most recently taught courses in (1) Geospatial Monitoring of Engineering Structures and Geodynamic Processes and (2) Surveying Computations and Adjustments.

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Eugene Levin, CP

Adjunct Associate Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering

elevin@mtu.edu

Teaching Statement

Dr. Levin's teaching interests include Earth observation systems, geodesy, photogrammetry, geospatial technologies, global positioning systems, remote sensing, cartography, and much more.

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