Applied Aviation Technology
The BS in Applied Aviation Technology offers a strong applied technology focus for a career that supports many aspects of the aviation/aerospace industry. Students will learn to operate Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in the National Airspace System (NAS) in addition to applying technology solutions to a wide range of management and flight operations issues.
What You Will Learn
- An understanding of the impact of aviation and technology within societal and global contexts
- An ability to apply techniques, skills, and modern aviation tools to a wide range of aviation, aerospace, and flight operations
- An ability to function on a multi-disciplinary team
- An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and aerodynamic principles to ensure safe and efficient aerospace operations
- An ability to accurately analyze and interpret data to solve a variety of problems
- An ability to recognize and apply ethical and professional excellence for responsible decision making
- An ability to communicate effectively with precision and clarity within aviation and related industries
- An ability to recognize the need for and engage in lifelong learning
- Knowledge of contemporary aviation/aerospace industry issues
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of business applications relating to the management of technology issues
Program of Study
The Applied Aviation Technology major includes a set of Aviation Core courses, technology courses and program electives. Students will understand regulations, industry and social implications, and components for successful UAS operations. Students will complete hands-on training in UAV design including electrical systems, avionics and optical equipment. All students will experience actual and simulated hands-on flight of UAV small aircraft systems.
Schedule a visit today! Tour the University campus and Flight Operations Center at the Dubuque Regional Airport. Speak with our professors about career paths in aviation and meet our friendly staff. We can't wait to share our passion for aviation.
Applied Aviation Technology Curriculum
The courses below are a program sample of what students may encounter. Students will meet with their advisors to develop a personal educational program to plan their elective course choices, internships, undergraduate research, and other educational opportunities and experiences.
Year One
Fall Semester
AVI 131: Basic Ground School (6)
AVI 145: Safety and Ethics in Aviation (1)
MATH 112: College Algebra (3)
FLI 131: Flight Training I (3)
WVS 101: World View Seminar I (3)
J-Term
AVI 132: Basic Flight Experience (3)
Spring Semester
CIS 103: Computer Applications in Business (3)
COM 101: Speech Communication (3)
ENG 101: Composition and Rhetoric (3)
AVI 233: Air Transportation (3)
AVI 214: Aviation Meteorology (3)
Summer Semester
* To complete certificates and ratings may require additional flight time during the summer semester
Year Two
Fall Semester
AVI 229: UAS and Small Aircraft Systems (3)
AVI 231: Ground School- Instrument (4)
FLI 231: Flight Training Instrument (3)
CIS 202: Introduction to Computer Information Systems (3)
PRF 201: Career Development Strategies (1)
J-Term
Open/Elective
Spring Semester
AVI 329: UAS Operations (3)
Social Development Requirement (3)
RES 104: Introduction to Research Writing (4)
CIS 215: Programming Fundamentals with Java (3)
Social Development Requirement (3)
WVS 201: World View Seminar II (3)
Summer Semester
* To complete certificates and ratings may require additional flight time during the summer semester
Year Three
Fall Semester
AVI Industry Elective (3)
CIS 225: Intro to Digital Electronics and Microcontrollers (3)
AVI 349: Aviation Safety Management (3)
ENG 112/160: Literature (3)
Science Lab Requirement (4)
J-Term
Religion Requirement (3)
Spring Semester
CIS 262: Intro to Data Analytics (3)
EVS 333: GIS Applications (4) or EVS 335: Remote Sensing (4)
MATH 230: Introduction to Statistics (3)
AVI Elective Course (6)
Fine and Performing Arts Requirement (3)
Summer Semester
* To complete certificates and ratings may require additional flight time during the summer semester
Year Four
Fall Semester
AVI 429: UAS Flight Simulation (3)
AVI Industry Elective (3)
Global Awareness B Requirement (3)
Stewardship Requirement (4)
J-Term
Open/Elective
Spring Semester
AVI 495: Aviation Senior Seminar (2)
AVI 459: UAS Applications and Analytics (3)
Aesthetics Requirement (3)
Elective Course (3)
Elective Course (3)
Summer Semester
* To complete certificates and ratings may require additional flight time during the summer semester
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Chaminda Prelis
Head of Aviation Programs Associate Professor of Aviation MS, Aviation BBA, Aviation Management Office Phone: 563.589.3835 E-mail: cprelis@dbq.edu Office Location: 304 Severance Hall and Airport Flight Operations Center Fax: 563.589.3177 |
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Jo Lynn Bentz
Aviation Business Office Assistant BS - Computer Science, Mount Mercy College Office Phone: 563.589.3928 E-mail: JBentz@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Kim Bruggenwirth
Aviation Business Manager Office Phone: 563.589.3180 E-mail: kbruggen@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center Fax: 563.589.3179 |
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Candace Dalsing
Aviation Dispatch Office Phone: 563.589.3820 E-mail: cdalsing@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Adam Eggerman
Flight Instructor - Helicopter E-mail: AEggerman@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Sara Ellert-Beck
Assistant Professor of Aviation MSA, Central Michigan University Office Phone: 563.589.3315 E-mail: sellert@dbq.edu Office Location: 308 Severance Hall Biography - Click Here
Sara began flying airplanes at the age of 15. By 17 she had a pilot's license and appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Sara served in the United States Air Force from 1981 until 1991, primarily as an Air Traffic Control Officer. After leaving the Air Force, Sara received a master's level certification in environmental management from West Coast University in Los Angeles and worked as an environmental airspace consultant. Sara began working for the University of Dubuque as an adjunct professor in both business and aviation for several years before becoming a full-time faculty member in the Department of Aviation. |
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Michael Ferrero
Adjunct Professor - Aviation MS, Predictive Analytics, Northwestern University E-mail: Mferrero@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Tony Foster
Assistant Professor MAS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Safety Systems BS, University of Dubuque; Flight Operations/Aviation Management Office Phone: 563.589.3815 E-mail: tfoster@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center Fax: 563.589.3179 |
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Michael Glynn
Chief Flight Instructor BS, University of Dubuque Office Phone: 563.589.3277 E-mail: mglynn@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center Fax: 563.589.3179 |
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Nick Glynn
Certified Flight Instructor E-mail: NGlynn@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Kenneth Godwin
Assistant Professor MBA, University of Dubuque; Business Administration BS, University of Dubuque; Aviation Management Office Phone: 563.589.3761 E-mail: kgodwin@dbq.edu Office Location: 302 Severance Hall Fax: 563.589.3177 |
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Robert Grierson
Adjunct Faculty MPA E-mail: Rgrierson@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center Biography - Click Here
Robert A. Grierson, AAE, is currently serving as the manager of the Dubuque Regional Airport. He previously managed the Chico Municipal Airport and served as assistant director for the Fresno Airport System. Robert Managed the operating and capital budgets for O’Hare, Midway & Meigs for the City of Chicago, and served as Commissioner on the DuPage Airport Authority. Robert holds a master and bachelor degrees in public administration. He is an Accredited Airport Executive by the American Association of Airport Executives. He served second term as president of the Iowa Public Airports Association. Robert has 30 years of experience in airport management, has been teaching undergraduate and graduate classes since 1996, and is an active pilot with commercial, instrument, multi-engine, and helicopter ratings. Robert retired as full Colonel with over 38 years of military service, and he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Master Army Aviator Badge. Robert is married with two sons, one at University of Missouri, the other at University of Iowa. |
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Tyler Hutchinson
Certified Flight Instructor E-mail: THutchinson@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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James S. Jenkins
Director of Aviation Maintenance BS, University of Dubuque Office Phone: 563.589.3812 E-mail: jjenkins@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center Fax: 563.589.3179 |
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Maxwell Judnic
Certified Flight Instructor E-mail: MJudnic@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Polly Kadolph
Associate Professor of Aviation MBA, University of Dubuque |
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Joan Kariuki
Aircraft Mechanic AAT Faculty Office Phone: 563.589.3812 E-mail: jkariuki@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Zarick Kuehl
Helicopter Flight Instructor E-mail: ZKuehl@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Trevor Lee
Flight Instructor Office Phone: 563.589.3836 E-mail: TLee@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Emmanuel Munoz
Flight Instructor Office Phone: 563.589.3813 E-mail: Emunoz@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Michael Nickeson
Flight Instructor Office Phone: 563.589.3817 E-mail: MNickeson@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Suzanne Peterson
Assistant Chief BS, University of Dubuque |
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Michael Phillips
Director of Operations: University Flight Center BA, MA; Loras College |
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Cameron Rowenhorst
Certified Flight Instructor E-mail: CRowenhorst@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Nicholas Schwab
Certified Flight Instructor E-mail: NSchwab@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Ching-Kuan Su
Stage Check Instructor Office Phone: 563.589.3807 E-mail: csu@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Colin Waldorf
Stage Check Instructor BS, University of Dubuque Office Phone: 563.589.3823 E-mail: cwaldorf@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Roger Wickman
Flight Instructor Office Phone: 563.589.3829 E-mail: rwickman@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Brett Wimberly
Flight Instructor BS, Flight Operations E-mail: bwimberly@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations |
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G. Mark Woodhouse
Assistant Professor MSCTE, Nova Southeastern University Office Phone: 563.589.3233 E-mail: gwoodhouse@dbq.edu Office Location: 226 Dunlap Technology Center Fax: 563.589.3410 Biography - Click Here
Mark is a Bible teacher and conference speaker with 20+ years of higher education teaching experience. Commercial Pilot, Multi-engine, Instrument, Advanced Ground Instructor Ratings; Chief Firearms Instructor, Proficient Defense Training; Chaplain with Dubuque Police Department and Sheriff's Office; Advisor, UD Computer Club; Advisor, UD RC Pilots Club |
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Edwin Zenke
Certified Flight Instructor E-mail: EZenke@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
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Jeremiah Ziebert
CRJ 200 Instructor BS, University of Dubuque E-mail: jziebert@dbq.edu Office Location: Flight Operations Center |
Careers in Aviation Technology
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) is an emerging and dynamic field in the aviation industry. Their primary use is in military applications however there is growing demand in areas of agriculture, first response and law enforcement, delivery services, real estate, oil and gas, and telecommunications. Segments of the military have switched to the RPA (remotely piloted aircraft) platform, utilizing operational skills of flight from outside the cockpit. The FAA passed Part 107 regulations for UAS operations which will integrate UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) into the NAS (National Airspace). In the next decade, we should see 70,000 new jobs according to a AUVSI economic impact study conducted in 2013.
Bachelor of Science Opportunities
An aviation student with a bachelor of science in applied aviation technology is prepared to enter almost any position within flight management and flight operations within the aviation industry. The aviation department provides students with the professional skills that allow for success in all segments of the aviation industry while enhancing their critical thinking and decision making skills. Accordingly, an aviation student is well-qualified and comes with the experiences to enter most entry level positions within the aviation industry.
Post-graduate Opportunities
The Aviation Program provides the educational and experiential base not only for entry-level management but also as a foundation to build a career through graduate level study in the aviation industry. The University of Dubuque Aviation Department encourages all of our graduates to strive for higher levels of experience and education, to advance the students capacity to enhance the quality of their education and experience in serving the aviation industry. Most of our graduates have gone on to complete advanced level training in flight operations, and for some this has included pursuing post-graduate degrees.