Program Options

Three masters degrees are available from the Department of Mining Engineering. The two Master of Science in Mining Engineering (M.S.Min.E.) are most useful to those students who plan a career in research, problem solving, or teaching; they are a prelude to the doctorate. The Master of Mining Engineering (M.Min.E.) is a professional degree intended for those students who want more coursework and study to help them with an industrial or professional career. The M.Min.E. is not intended to lead to doctoral studies.

1. Master of Science in Mining Engineering with Thesis (M.S.Min.E. Plan A – 24 credit hour option)

A minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework plus a thesis are required. In no case will independent work, taken as MNG-780 or MNG-790 and used for part of the thesis, be counted as part of the 24 hours of coursework. The thesis must be actively supervised by a member of the Graduate Faculty.

2. Master of Science in Mining Engineering without thesis (M.S.Min.E. Plan B)

The faculty in Mining Engineering suggest that this degree be reserved for the extraordinary student who is allowed to work directly on Ph.D. studies. Such a student may be one who has obtained an M.S. without coursework (such degrees are common in foreign universities) or an M.S. in a foreign language. Also, during the course of M.S. study by a superior student, it may become apparent that the research can be expanded to a doctoral dissertation. At that time, the graduate faculty may approve a Plan B Master of Science and allow the student to continue onto a Ph.D. In that case, the degree will be approved only after the candidate submits a Ph.D. program plan and has a committee appointed.

For an M.S. under Plan B, a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework plus one or two written reports are required. The report(s) should represent the total equivalent of approximately six (6) semester hours of work; no credit for this effort may be included in the minimum 30-hour requirement. The report(s) must be written with a level of content and style which may be reasonably expected of a graduate student. Examples of suitable reports include: (1) a description of results of a research study; (2) a description of the development of a new and significant computer program; (3) a state-of-the-art paper; and (4) a design report.

3. Master of Mining Engineering (M.Min.E.)

A minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework plus one or two written reports are required. The report(s) should represent the total equivalent of approximately six (6) semester hours of work; no credit for this effort may be included in the minimum 30-hour requirement. The report(s) must be written with a level of content and style which may be reasonably expected of a graduate student. Examples of suitable reports include: (1) a description of results of a research study; (2) a description of the development of a new and significant computer program; (3) a state-of-the-art paper; and (4) a design project. Upon the approval of the advisor and DGS, a report prepared by the student while employed by an engineering firm or organization may be used to satisfy the report requirements if the employer can certify that the student has performed a substantial portion of the work and has actually written the report.