The department offers programs leading to the degree of master of science in mining engineering. The general university requirements for advanced degrees are listed in the Graduate School section of this catalog.
The student can elect to pursue one of two program tracks at the graduate level. The first is a traditional mining engineering program with emphasis in various fields, such as: computer applications, automation, mine design, rock mechanics and materials handling. The second is in mineral economics with emphasis in fields relating to mine management, operations research and mineral economics.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required in order to be accepted as a graduate student. For full graduate standing, at least 30 credits of undergraduate work in mining engineering or related sciences must have been completed.
In addition, students must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Hold a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 for four years of undergraduate work;
- Hold a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate work;
- Earn acceptable scores on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination aptitude test, and present letters of recommendation from former instructors indicating capability for advanced course work and research.
Prospective graduate students should send an outline of major interests, experience and transcripts directly to the department chair. Formal application is completed through the Graduate School.
The department offers several graduate fellowships, research assistantships and teaching assistantships. Requests for assistance should be submitted prior to March 15, but all applications will be considered regardless of date of submission.
The M.S. degree is 30 credits for Plan A and 33 credits for Plan B. For Plan B students, a written comprehensive examination is required for 1 credit of students pursuing a non-thesis master’s degree. Students are required to register for one credit of comprehensive examination in the semester in which they take the exam. This comprehensive examination credit does not count towards the 32 credits required to complete the degree. Degree candidates must earn a passing grade on the exam with only two attempts allowed. Students who do not pass the exam after two attempts will be suspended from the graduate program. The credit for comprehensive examination may not be used to fulfill the 15 credits of required 700-level course work in Plan B.
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