Program Overview

Humanitarian Engineering and Science Graduate Program

The Humanitarian Engineering and Science (HES) graduate program is an interdisciplinary, sociotechnical program where students work directly with communities to define problems and create sustainable solutions. Students choose from disciplinary tracks, including environmental engineering, geological engineering, geophysics, data science, and robotics, and take a balance of track-specific courses and HES courses in the social sciences.

About the Program

HES is designed to prepare students to be leaders in a variety of fields. Graduates have gone on to diverse careers in local startups and consulting, the United Nations, the US Geological Survey, the National Academy of Engineering, and higher education.

Disciplinary Tracks

Students can choose from the following disciplinary tracks:

• Geophysics
• Environmental Engineering
• Geological Engineering
• Data Science
• Robotics
• Interdisciplinary

Degree Options

The program offers two master's degree options:

• Thesis: This option typically takes two years and requires 30 credit hours, including 6 credit hours dedicated to independent research.
• Professional (non-thesis): This option typically takes a year and a half and requires 30 credit hours, including 3 credit hours dedicated to a practicum course.

Required Courses

Students from all disciplinary tracks take the same core courses from the Engineering, Design, and Society Department (EDS), including:

• EDNS 515: Introduction to Science & Technology Studies (3 credits)
• EDNS 577: Engineering and Sustainable Community Development (3 credits)
• EDNS 579: Community-Based Research (3 credits)
• EDNS 580: HES Capstone Practicum (3 credits) (only required for professional master's degree)

Graduate Certificate

The HES graduate certificate is designed for working professionals and graduate students enrolled in other degrees at Mines. To obtain a graduate certificate, students must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of core HES courses.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements include:

• Background in engineering or physical sciences (a degree in these fields is not required, but courses will require prerequisites)
• Statement of purpose
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Transcripts for post-secondary degrees
• Three letters of recommendation (required for students pursuing the thesis option)
• Non-native English speakers must prove language proficiency

Funding and Scholarships

The program offers various funding and scholarship opportunities, including:

• Humanitarian Engineering and Science Ambassadors (HESA) scholarships
• Shultz Fellowships
• Teaching Assistantships
• Hourly graduate assistant positions
• Research assistant positions
• Outside scholarship opportunities

Student Organizations

The program is associated with several student organizations, including:

• Mines Without Borders
• Socially Responsible Scientists & Engineers
• Geoscientists Without Borders
• Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists
• Geophysics student organizations (Society of Student Geophysicists, Society of Women in Geoscience, Society of Geophysics Graduate Students)