Program Overview

Introduction to the Master's Degree in Explosives Technology

The Master's Degree in Explosives Technology at Missouri S&T is a unique program that offers specialized training in the use of explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics. This degree is designed for students without an undergraduate education in engineering or physical sciences, allowing them to advance their careers.

Degree Information

The Mining and Explosives Engineering department offers a Master's degree with a thesis option in explosives technology for on-campus, research-based students and a non-thesis option by coursework for distance and campus students. The program requires four core courses and relevant elective courses, which can be selected in consultation with an advisor.

Thesis Program Requirements

The M.S. degree with thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours, including the required research (Exp Eng 6099) for the thesis. Students must also successfully complete and defend a research thesis. Additionally, students are encouraged to take courses in other disciplines that fit their research and career interests.

Non-Thesis Program Requirements

The M.S. degree without thesis requires the completion of 30 hours of graduate coursework. A student replaces the six hours of research with coursework, which may include an explosives-related cooperative work experience (EXP ENG 6070) or industry project (EXP ENG 6080) with an established company or government agency that commonly uses explosives, plus an additional explosives course.

Non-Thesis MS Degree Program

The Explosives Engineering program first offered a MS degree in Explosives Engineering in 2010 and a subsequent PhD degree in Explosives Engineering in 2014. Due to industry demand for an advanced degree for those without an engineering background, a MS degree in Explosives Technology was founded primarily for non-thesis distance students in 2017. The degree is offered both in-person and via distance education.

General Information

Graduates from the program are often employed by industry, government, research facilities, or consulting companies. Many students are working professionals expanding their knowledge and qualifications to advance in their current careers. A number of students also enroll who are seeking specialized training to become explosives professionals.

Admission Requirements

• BS or BA
• 3.0 GPA
• Transcripts
• US Citizen or Permanent Resident for on-campus students
• English proficiency for international distance students

Program Requirements

• 30 Credit Hours Total
  • Minimum 9 hours at 6000+ level
• 12 Credit Hours of Core Classes

Core Courses (12 Credit Hours)

Select any four of the following eight courses:

• EXP ENG 5612: Principles of Explosives Engineering (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Every Fall Semester)
• EXP ENG 5622: Blasting Design and Technology (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Every Spring Semester)
• EXP ENG 5711: Explosives in Industry (3 credit hours, offered Fall Semester-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 5713: Demolition of Buildings and Structures (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Every Fall Semester)
• EXP ENG 5721: Specialty Uses of Energetic Materials (3 credit hours, offered Spring Semester-Odd Year)
• EXP ENG 5914: Explosives Manufacturing (3 credit hours, offered Spring Semester-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 5922: Advanced Tunneling and Underground Construction (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Spring Semester-Odd Year)
• EXP ENG 6112: Explosives Regulations (3 credit hours, offered Fall Semester-Even Year)

List of Elective Courses (18 Credit Hours)

You may take any of the courses below or from the Core Courses requirement. Up to nine credit hours can be earned outside of the Explosives Engineering program as appropriate and as approved by the student's advisor.

• EXP ENG 5001: Underwater Blasting (3 credit hours, offered Spring Semester-Odd Year)
• EXP ENG 5112: Explosives Handling and Safety (3 credit hours, offered Every Fall Semester)
• EXP ENG 5512: Commercial Pyrotechnics Operations (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Every Fall Semester)
• EXP ENG 5513: Stage Pyrotechnics and Special Effects (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Every Spring Semester)
• EXP ENG 5514: Display Fireworks Manufacturing (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Every Fall Semester)
• EXP ENG 5555: Computer Fired Pyrotech Show Design (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Spring Semester-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 6001: Construction Blasting (3 credit hours, offered Spring Semester-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 6001: Explosives Simulation (3 credit hours, offered Summer Session-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 6212: Theory of High Explosives (3 credit hours, offered Spring Semester-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 6292: Research Methods (3 credit hours, offered Fall Semester-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 6312: Scientific Instrumentation for Explosives (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Spring Semester-Odd Year)
• EXP ENG 6412: Environmental Controls for Blasting (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Fall Semester-Odd Year)

Research in Explosives Technology

The United States recognizes the increasing importance of securing the supply chain for explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics because of their importance to industry and national defense. Explosives engineering faculty and students conduct research related to energetic materials, including explosives hazards and effective manufacture, transport, use, and storage of explosives using experimental testing and numerical simulation.

Explore Research Fields

• Health and safety
• Energetic materials

Career Opportunities

Explosives engineers can choose from a variety of exciting careers, including research and development, testing, safety, production, field technical service, marketing, and teaching. Explosives engineers work for national laboratories, universities, companies that develop and supply personal protective equipment, defense contractors, blasting & explosives companies, heavy civil construction companies, and many more.

Starting Salary

The average entry salary for S&T graduates with an explosives engineering/technology degree is $131,500.

Career Paths

• Researchers (both government and private companies)
• Technical services engineers with explosives and blasting companies
• Engineers with consulting firms
• Law enforcement

Explosives Engineers Work With:

• Universities
• National Laboratories
• Law enforcement agencies
• Consulting companies