Program Overview

Introduction to the Mining Engineering Program

The Mining Engineering program at Colorado School of Mines is a broad profession that embraces all required activities to facilitate the recovery of valuable metals and minerals 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 nonmetallic and metallic ores of all kinds, as well as solid fuel and energy sources such as coal and nuclear materials. The function of the mining engineer is to apply knowledge of pertinent scientific theory, engineering fundamentals, and improved technology to recover natural resources. The importance of environmental and societal impacts is recognized and given significant attention in all aspects of the mining engineering curriculum.

Program Educational Objectives

The Mining Engineering Department's program objectives are:

1. Have knowledge of and skills in engineering fundamentals to solve complex and open-ended mining and earth systems-related problems.
2. Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills relevant to their chosen profession.
3. Several years after leaving Mines, our graduates will achieve professional growth.

Student Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the Mining Engineering program are:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

ABET Accreditation Status

The Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mining and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Faculty and Staff

The Mining Engineering Department is led by:

• Department Head: Bill Zisch
• Associate Department Head: H. Sebnem Duzgun The department has a team of professors, associate professors, teaching assistant professors, professors of practice, research professors, and research assistant professors.

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 degree requirements for the Mining Engineering program include:

• Completion of a minimum of 130 semester hours
• Completion of all required courses with a minimum grade of C-
• Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0

Major GPA

The following list details the courses that are included in the GPA for this degree:

• MNGN100 through MNGN599 inclusive

Minor Programs

The Mining Engineering Department offers three minor programs:

• Mining Engineering Minor
• Explosive Engineering Minor
• Space Mining Minor

Courses

The Mining Engineering program offers a wide range of courses, including:

• MNGN198: Special Topics in Mining Engineering
• MNGN199: Independent Study
• MNGN203: Software Fundamentals for 3D Data Analysis and Mine Planning
• MNGN205: Mining Engineering Field Experience
• MNGN209: Data Analytics for Mining Engineers
• MNGN210: Introductory Mining
• MNGN222: Introduction to Explosives Engineering
• MNGN251: Metallurgical and Materials Thermodynamics
• MNGN298: Special Topics in Mining Engineering
• MNGN299: Independent Study
• MNGN301: Mine Surveying
• MNGN308: Mine Safety
• MNGN309: Mine Safety and Operations
• MNGN310: Earth Materials
• MNGN311: Mining Geology
• MNGN312: Surface Mine Design
• MNGN314: Underground Mine Design
• MNGN316: Coal Mining Methods
• MNGN317: Dynamics for Mining Engineers
• MNGN318: Statics and Dynamics Combined for MN
• MNGN320: Mining and Sustainability
• MNGN321: Introduction to Rock Mechanics
• MNGN322: Introduction to Mineral Processing and Laboratory
• MNGN333: Explosives Engineering I
• MNGN334: Chemical Processing of Materials
• MNGN335: Communities and Natural Resource Development
• 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
• MNGN412: Mine Water, Waste and Closure
• MNGN414: Mine Plant Design
• MNGN418: Advanced Rock Mechanics
• MNGN421: Design of Underground Excavations
• MNGN422: Flotation
• MNGN423: Flotation Laboratory
• MNGN424: Mine Ventilation
• MNGN425: Mine Ventilation and Thermodynamics
• MNGN426: Hydro- and Electrometallurgy
• MNGN427: Mine Valuation
• MNGN428: Mining Engineering Evaluation and Design Report I
• MNGN429: Mining Engineering Evaluation and Design Report II
• MNGN430: Physical Chemistry of Iron and Steelmaking
• MNGN431: Mining and Metallurgical Environment
• MNGN432: Pyrometallurgy
• MNGN433: Mine Systems Analysis
• 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
• MNGN461: Transport Phenomena and Reactor Design for Metallurgical and Materials Engineers
• MNGN462: Solid Waste Minimization and Recycling
• MNGN470: Safety and Health Management in the Mining Industry
• MNGN482: Risk and Project Management
• MNGN490: Energy and Society
• MNGN498: Special Topics in Mining Engineering
• MNGN499: Independent Study