Mining Engineering

College of Engineering and Mines
Department of Mining and Geological Engineering
(907) 474-7388
www.uaf.edu/cem/MinEng.html

B.S., M.S. Degree

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 132 credits

Downloadable PDF (66K)

As the nation's northernmost accredited mining engineering program, our mission is to advance and disseminate knowledge for exploration, evaluation, development and efficient production of mineral and energy resources with assurance of the health and safety of persons involved and protection of the environment, through creative teaching, research and public service with an emphasis on Alaska, the North and its diverse peoples.

The mining engineering program emphasizes engineering as it applies to the exploration and development of mineral resources and upon the economics of the business of mining. The program offers specializations in exploration, mining or mineral beneficiation.

Students are prepared for job opportunities with mining and construction companies, consulting and research firms, equipment manufacturers, investment and commodity firms in the private sector, as well as with state and federal agencies.

The mining engineering program educational objectives are:

  1. To graduate competent engineers who are prepared for employment in the mineral and energy industries, prepared to solve problems germane to Alaska, and prepared for graduate studies at the masters or doctoral level.
  2. To advance and disseminate knowledge through competent faculty who teach and mentor students, conduct creative research relevant to the needs of the State of Alaska, and are engaged in public service to enhance the lives of the diverse people of the North.

Mining engineers may aspire to, and achieve, the highest positions in the industry: operating or engineering management, government agency director or entrepreneur. Starting salaries are among the highest in the engineering profession.

Students may initiate their mining engineering program in Anchorage and transfer to Fairbanks upon completion of their freshman or sophomore year. Anchorage students intending to transfer to Fairbanks should contact faculty of the UAF mining engineering department.

Candidates for the B.S. degree in mining engineering must take a comprehensive examination in their general field (completion of the state of Alaska Fundamentals of Engineering examination will satisfy this requirement). The state of Alaska Fundamentals of Engineering is a first step toward registration as a professional engineer.

For more information about the Mining Engineering Program mission, goals and educational objectives, visit www.uaf.edu/sme/min_mission.html.

Major--B.S. Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements. (As part of the core curriculum requirements, complete: CHEM 105X, CHEM 106X, LS 101X and MATH 200X.)
  2. Complete the B.S. degree requirements. (As part of the B.S. degree requirements, complete: MATH 201X, PHYS 211X and PHYS 212X.)
  3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
    ES 201--Computer Techniques--3 credits
    ES 208--Mechanics--4 credits
    ES 307--Elements of Electrical Engineering--3 credits
    ES 331--Mechanics of Materials--3 credits
    ES 341--Fluid Mechanics--4 credits
    ES 346--Basic Thermodynamics--3 credits
    GE 261--General Geology for Engineers--3 credits
    GEOS 262--Rocks and Minerals--3 credits
    GEOS 332--Ore Deposits and Structure--3 credits
    MIN 103--Introduction to Mining Engineering--1 credit
    MIN 104--Mining Safety and Operations Lab--1 credit
    MIN 106--Mining Operations I--1 credit
    MIN 202--Mine Surveying--3 credits
    MIN 206--Mining Operations II--1 credit
    MIN 301--Mine Plant Design--3 credits
    MIN 302--Underground Mine Environmental Engineering--3 credits
    MIN 313--Introduction to Mineral Preparation--3 credits
    MIN 370--Rock Mechanics--3 credits
    MIN 407W--Mine Reclamation and Environmental Management--2 credits
    MIN 408O--Mineral Valuation and Economics--3 credits
    MIN 409--Operations Research and Computer Applications in Mineral Industry--3 credits
    MIN 443--Principles and Applications of Industrial Explosives--3 credits
    MIN 454--Underground Mining Methods--3 credits
    MIN 484--Surface Mining Methods II--2 credits
    MIN 489W--Mining Design Project I--1 credit
    MIN 490W--Mining Design Project II--2 credits
    MIN 485--Mining Engineering Exit Exam--0 credits
  4. Complete the following program (major) requirements:
    MATH 202X--Calculus--4 credits
    MATH 302--Differential Equations--3 credits
  5. Complete 6 credits* from the following recommended technical electives:**
    GE 440--Slope Stability--3 credits
    MIN 401--Mine Site Field Trip--2 credits
    MIN 447--Placer Mining--3 credits
    MIN 472--Ground Control--3 credits
    MIN 481--Computer Aided Mine Design I--3 credits
    MIN 482--Computer Aided Mine Design II--3 credits
    Approved technical electives--3-6 credits
  6. Minimum credits required--132 credits

* Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.
** Students must plan their elective courses in consultation with their mining engineering faculty advisor. Technical electives are selected from the list of the approved technical electives for mining engineering program and other programs course listing. All elective courses must be approved by the department head.