Program Overview
Mining Engineering Program
The Mining Engineering program at the Colorado School of Mines is a broad profession that embraces all required activities to facilitate the recovery of valuable minerals and products from the earth's crust for the benefit of humanity. It is one of the oldest engineering professions, which continues to grow in importance.
Program Description
Mining engineering is a world-wide activity involving the extraction of non-metallics, metal ores of all kinds, and solid fuel and energy sources such as coal and nuclear materials. In addition to mineral extraction, the skills of mining engineers are also needed in a variety of fields where the earth's crust is utilized, such as the underground construction industry. The construction industry, with its requirements of developing earth (rock) systems, tunnels and underground chambers, and the hazardous waste disposal industry are examples of such applications.
Program Objectives
The Mining Engineering Department's program objectives are:
- Have knowledge of, and skills in, engineering fundamentals to solve complex and open-ended mining and earth systems-related problems.
- Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills relevant to their chosen profession.
- Several years after leaving Mines, our graduates will achieve professional growth.
Curriculum
The mining engineering curriculum is devised to facilitate the widest employability of CSM graduates. The curriculum is based on scientific engineering and geologic fundamentals and the application of these fundamentals to design and operate mines and to create structures in rock and prepare mine products for the market.
Degree Requirements
The program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The degree requirements include:
- Completion of a minimum of 139.5 semester hours
- Completion of all required courses with a minimum grade of C-
- Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
Courses
The Mining Engineering program offers a wide range of courses, including:
- MNGN198: Special Topics in Mining Engineering
- MNGN199: Independent Study
- MNGN210: Introductory Mining
- MNGN222: Introduction to Explosives Engineering
- MNGN298: Special Topics in Mining Engineering
- MNGN299: Independent Study
- MNGN300: Summer Field Session
- MNGN308: Mine Safety
- MNGN309: Mining Engineering Laboratory
- MNGN310: Earth Materials
- MNGN311: Mining Geology
- MNGN312: Surface Mine Design
- MNGN314: Underground Mine Design
- MNGN316: Coal Mining Methods
- MNGN317: Dynamics for Mining Engineers
- MNGN321: Introduction to Rock Mechanics
- MNGN322: Introduction to Mineral Processing and Laboratory
- MNGN333: Explosives Engineering I
- MNGN340: Cooperative Education
- MNGN350: Introduction to Geothermal Energy
- MNGN398: Special Topics in Mining Engineering
- MNGN399: Independent Study
- MNGN404: Tunneling
- MNGN405: Rock Mechanics in Mining
- MNGN406: Design and Support of Underground Excavations
- MNGN407: Rock Fragmentation
- MNGN408: Underground Design and Construction
- MNGN410: Excavation Project Management
- MNGN414: Mine Plant Design
- MNGN418: Advanced Rock Mechanics
- MNGN421: Design of Underground Excavations
- MNGN422: Flotation
- MNGN423: Flotation Laboratory
- MNGN424: Mine Ventilation
- MNGN427: Mine Valuation
- MNGN428: Mining Engineering Evaluation and Design Report I
- MNGN429: Mining Engineering Evaluation and Design Report II
- MNGN431: Mining and Metallurgical Environment
- MNGN433: Mine Systems Analysis I
- MNGN434: Process Analysis
- MNGN436: Underground Coal Mine Design
- MNGN438: Geostatistics
- MNGN440: Equipment Replacement Analysis
- MNGN444: Explosives Engineering II
- MNGN445: Rock Slope Engineering
- MNGN452: Solution Mining and Processing of Ores
- MNGN460: Industrial Minerals Production
- MNGN470: Safety and Health Management in the Mining Industry
- MNGN482: Mine Management
- MNGN490: Energy and Society
- MNGN498: Special Topics in Mining Engineering
- MNGN499: Independent Study
Minor Programs
The Mining Engineering Department offers three minor programs:
- Mining Engineering Minor: The minor program in mining engineering requires students to take MNGN210: Introductory Mining and select two of the following courses: MNGN312: Surface Mine Design, MNGN314: Underground Mine Design, MNGN316: Coal Mining Methods.
- Explosive Engineering Minor: The explosive engineering minor program requires 18 credit hours of specially selected courses.
- Underground Construction and Tunneling Minor: The underground construction and tunneling minor program requires 18 credit hours of specially selected courses.
Faculty
The Mining Engineering Department has a diverse and experienced faculty, including:
- Professors: Priscilla P. Nelson, Kadri Dagdelen, H. Sebnem Düzgün, M. Ugur Ozbay
- Associate Professors: Mark Kuchta, Hugh B. Miller, Masami Nakagawa, Jamal Rostami
- Assistant Professors: Elizabeth A. Holley, Rennie Kaunda, Eunhye Kim, Nicole Smith
- Professors of Practice: Barbara Filas, Jürgen Brune, Robert Reeves
- Research Associate Professor: Vilem Petr
- Adjunct Faculty: Joseph Cooper, Joseph Culkin, John W. Grubb, Paul Jones, Matt Morris, Andy Schissler, D. Erik Spiller, William R. Wilson