Program Overview

Explosives Engineering Program

The Explosives Engineering program at Missouri University of Science and Technology offers a comprehensive range of courses that cover the principles and applications of explosives engineering.

Course Descriptions

• EXP ENG 301 Special Topics: This course is designed to give the department an opportunity to test a new course. Variable title.
• EXP ENG 305 Explosives Handling And Safety: Basic handling and safety for explosives, explosive devices, and ordnance related to laboratory handling, testing, manufacturing, and storage, for both civil and defense applications.
• EXP ENG 307 Principles Of Explosives Engineering: Theory and application of explosives in the mining industry; explosives, initiating systems, characteristics of explosive reactions and rock breakage, fundamentals of blast design, drilling and blasting, regulatory and safety considerations. Prerequisites: MIN ENG 151; accompanied or preceded by CIV ENG 215 or GEOLOGY 220 or GEOLOGY 125; Successful background check.
• EXP ENG 309 Commercial Pyrotechnics Operations: Provide participants with training preparing for Missouri Licensed Display Operator (Outdoor) License and advanced lead pyrotechnic operator training. Class work will be complemented by practical training in laboratory sessions, culminating in a full pyrotechnic show, from start to finish. Prerequisites: Both Chem 1 and CHEM 2 or their equivalent; US Citizen or permanent resident, Successful background check, resident enrollment at Missouri S&T.
• EXP ENG 313 Stage Pyrotechnics and Special Effects: Use of energetic materials in close proximity to audiences. Provide participants with training preparing for Missouri Pyrotechnics Display Operators License. Covers: close proximity indoor and outdoor pyrotechnics and special effects. Working with stage crews and talent, safety and permitting. Prerequisites: Both Chem 1 and CHEM 2 or their equivalent; US Citizen or permanent resident, Successful background check, resident enrollment at Missouri S&T.
• EXP ENG 350 Blasting Design And Technology: Advanced theory and application of explosives in excavation; detailed underground blast design; specialized blasting including blast casting, construction and pre-splitting. Introduction to blasting research. Examination of field applications. Prerequisites: MIN ENG 307. Student must be at least 21 years of age. Successful background check.
• EXP ENG 351 Demolition of Buildings and Structures: Provide participants with basics and solid grounding in the equipment, techniques, and processes required for the demolition and remediation of mine plant and processing equipment sites and non-mining structures such as buildings, factories, bridges, etc. Field trip required. Prerequisites: Preceded or accompanied by CIV ENG 50 or IDE 140; US citizen or permanent resident; Successful background check.
• EXP ENG 400 Special Problems: Problems or readings on specific subjects or projects in the department. Consent of instructor required.
• EXP ENG 401 Special Topics: This course is designed to give the department an opportunity to test a new course. Variable title.
• EXP ENG 402 Environmental Controls For Blasting: Advanced blast mechanics; overbreak control including comprehensive coverage of perimeter and smoothwall specialist blasting techniques and geotechnical factors affecting blast vibration, limits analysis monitoring and control; air blast control including limits, monitoring and atmospheric and topographic effects. Prerequisites: MIN ENG 307, Successful background check.
• EXP ENG 406 Scientific Instrumentation For Explosives Testing & Blasting: Application of scientific principles, equipment description and operation for instrumentation of explosive events including blasting. Topics: Blast chamber design, set up, high-speed photography, motion detection and measurement, explosives sensitivity testing, explosives properties testing, vibration measurement & analysis, destruction & demilitarization. Prerequisite: EXP ENG 307 and Successful background check.
• EXP ENG 407 Theory Of High Explosives: Study of the application of chemical thermodynamics and the hydrodynamic theory to determine the properties of high explosives; application of detonation theory to steady-state detonations in real explosives; application of the above to the blasting action of explosives. Prerequisite: Successful background check and Graduate Standing.
• EXP ENG 408 Explosives Regulations: Comprehensive coverage of the federal regulations governing the explosives industry, including those governing storage of explosives (ATF), transportation of explosives (DOT and TSA), the environment (EPA) and use of explosives (OSM, MSHA and OSHA). Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
• EXP ENG 490 Research: Investigations of an advanced nature leading to the preparation of a thesis or dissertation. Consent of instructor required.
• EXP ENG 497 Graduate Cooperative Experience: Students on an approved internship will complete a project designed by the advisor and employer. The project selected must require that student apply critical thinking skills and discipline-specific knowledge in the work setting. A major report and a formal presentation are required. Prerequisite: 12 hours Exp Eng coursework.
• EXP ENG 498 Industry Project: Students who are currently employed may complete a project in their work setting designed by the advisor and employer. The project selected must require that student apply critical thinking skills and discipline-specific knowledge. A major report and a formal presentation are required. Prerequisite: 12 hours Exp Eng coursework.