Online Programs in Mining and Geological Engineering

Degrees & Certificates Prepare Working Professionals for Leadership

The University of Arizona is one of the nation’s leading institutions for the study of mining and geological engineering. Enroll in 100 percent online master’s degree and certificate programs to prepare for leadership roles in the field.

Master of Engineering in Mining, Geological and Geophysical Engineering

• Expand your knowledge of technical concepts and administration
• Choose from focus areas such as geomechanics, mine health and safety, mineral processing, and mine information and production technology
• Tailor the curriculum to your career objectives
• Complete an independent study in your area of interest
• Benefit from no thesis requirement

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Program Overview

Mining and material production provides the building blocks for products and technologies that are essential to industries and the global economy. This field offers some of the highest earning engineering careers, as well as opportunities to develop sustainable solutions that will power our future.

The University of Arizona online Master of Engineering in Mining, Geological & Geophysical Engineering is one of the only online programs of its kind, featuring courses taught by our faculty of groundbreaking researchers in mineral engineering and the science of non-renewable resources. You’ll gain an advanced understanding of core technical principles while also pursuing coursework in finance and management, natural resource law, and other administrative concerns. Armed with this focused skill set, you’ll be well prepared to pursue mining and geological engineering roles as well as other opportunities in the field.

Customizable Options for your Online Mining Engineering Degree

Mining, geological, and geophysical engineering encompass a wide range of tools and techniques that professionals use to overcome the challenges involved in resource extraction and processing. In our flexible mining engineering online degree program, you can choose from a variety of electives and select an emphasis area that fits your career goals. The available emphasis areas include (but are not limited to):

• Geomechanics
• Mine Information and Production Technology
• Mine Health and Safety
• Mineral Processing
• Sustainable Resource Development

Each mining engineering online course is led by expert researchers and industry executives and features a curriculum that blends live instruction with a convenient, asynchronous online format. Earning a mining and geology master’s online empowers working professionals to enhance their career prospects, with most part-time students completing the program in 18-24 months. The program is a perfect fit for aspiring and practicing engineers, those looking to make a career change to mining or a related field, and others with an interest in mining.

Join a Boundless Tradition of Innovation and Achievement

Arizona is the top state in the US for value of non-fuel mineral production, leading the nation in copper and also serving as a major source of crude perlite, molybdenum, silver, and zeolites. Since 1885, the University of Arizona Department of Mining and Geological Engineering has offered the state’s only university-level educational and research programs devoted to the engineering of minerals and nonrenewable resources.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top employers for engineers in this field are:

• Engineering services
• Metal ore mining
• Coal mining
• Government
• Oil and gas extraction

These organizations and industries need capable professionals to take the lead and set the framework for a sustainable future. Our mission is to prepare University of Arizona mining engineering students to pursue boundless innovation through individualized faculty attention, hands-on courses, and practical internship opportunities. We strive to encourage lifelong learning and leadership, prompting new discoveries in how we harvest resources and put them to use.

Curriculum

The Master of Engineering (ME) program is designed to be flexible and dynamic. We strive to accommodate aspiring and practicing engineers, those looking to make a career change to mining or a related field. and those with an interest in mining. Some courses in the online Master of Engineering in Mining, Geological and Geophysical Engineering are in a live, Interactive format, while others are offered in an asynchronous, on-demand structure. Additionally, some courses will run for the entire duration of a semester, but some short, intensive courses may last as little as 2 to 3 days or 2 weeks of class time. See the course descriptions for details.

Prerequisite Courses: (1 unit each)

Students who have not previously complete coursework in calculus, statistics, and strengths and materials may be required to take prerequisite courses. These courses will be part of the student’s study plan and are available online through the Mining Department. They will be counted toward the 30 total required units.

Core Courses: 17 units

• At least 9 units in an emphasis area
• 5-8 units of electives (including up to 6 units of one-unit short courses)
  • These courses are subject to the approval of the advisory committee. Up to 6 units of short courses (696x, 697x, etc.) may be used as elective credit.
• 0-3 units of independent study or report
  • MNE 599 or MNE 909. The project or independent study must be appropriate to the student’s plan of study, and is subject to approval, in advance, by the student’s advisory committee.

The following electives are suggestions. Course substitutions or changes in electives are allowed with the approval of the program advisor.

• Business/Engineering Management (at least): 3 units
  • Take one of the following courses: SIE 557, MNE 530 
• Applied Engineering/Mathematics (at least): 3 units
  • Take one of the following courses: SIE 530, BE 513, MNE 520
• Entrepreneurship/Innovation/Design (at least): 3 units
  • Take one of the following courses: SIE 567, MNE 536, MNE 515
• Advanced Engineering Science (at least): 3 units
  • Take one of the following courses: MNE 527, MNE 511, MNE 507
• Research Seminar: 1 unit
  • MNE 696A

Total: 30 units

Graduate Certificates in Mining and Geological Engineering

Graduate Certificate in Geomechanics/Rock Mechanics

• Build your understanding of scientific and technical concepts involved in excavation
• Explore the properties and behaviors of rock masses
• Tap into a flexible program

Graduate Certificate in Mining Occupational Safety and Health

• Learn how to eliminate hazards in mines and provide a safe working environment
• Study the latest thinking in the industry about issues such as accident prevention, fire protection and ventilation
• Benefit from an accelerated program

Graduate Certificate in Mine Production and Information Technology

• Develop the scientific and technical background to run effective mining operations
• Gain hands-on experience with technology for managing information, analyzing data and monitoring mining environments
• Tap into a flexible program

Graduate Certificate in Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy

• Learn methods for ore and mineral processing
• Focus on areas such as flotation, hydrometallurgy and solution mining
• Benefit from an accelerated program

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