Mining Engineering

Department Head:	Mr. Scott Rosenthal
	(406) 496-4867


Administrative Associate:	Donna Conrad
	(406) 496-4262
	MG 117

Department FAX:	(406) 496-4260

Mining Engineering is the founding program of Montana Tech. Mining Engineers design, construct, and manage surface and underground mines. Montana Tech offers Bachelor of Science and Master’s of Science degree programs in Mining Engineering. Faculty with strong, academic and industrial backgrounds teach the courses in the Mining Engineering Curriculum.

In addition to a comprehensive engineering foundation, the Mining Engineering program provides training in the mechanics of geologic materials, rock fragmentation, materials handling, mine valuation, ventilation, environmental considerations, and the design and operation of surface and underground mines. Students have access to the latest computer graphic equipment with support hardware and software or computer-assisted mine planning and evaluation. The computer lab in the Mining Engineering department provides students with advanced personal computer systems.

Mining Engineering students are urged to seek summer employment in the mining industry to gain experience to apply in the classroom and for the future. This combination of academic and “real world” experience helps to make Montana Tech a college where “theory and practice meet.”

Mining Engineering Program Mission

The Mining Engineering department prepares students for careers in the global mining industry. Graduates are successful in surface and underground mining of all aspects of the industry including metal, non-metal, coal, aggregates, and other industrial materials.

Mining Engineering Program Objectives

Mining Engineering graduates are:

Equipped to enter the global mining industry with a broad education that covers all sectors of the industry employing current technology and applications.
Encouraged to focus their education on any combination of surface or underground mining of metal, non-metal, coal, aggregates, or other industrial minerals.
Build on their undergraduate / graduate education through personal career development through continuing education, advanced degree graduation (both engineering and management focused), professional registration (P.E. or P.Eng.), or other advanced recognition (e.g. as a qualified person).

The Mining Engineering department prepares students for future success by reinforcing that Mining Engineers:

Must exhibit a positive safety culture, respect for the environment, and be actively involved in the community.
Should demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility in all stages of their careers.
Identify and solve problems utilizing first-principle engineering and economic fundamentals.
Develop a skill set that incorporates current technological advances, computerized methods, and industry practices.
Can function in multidisciplinary teams and demonstrate the ability to learn and react to changing situations.
Communicate with people of various backgrounds to accomplish a common goal.

Mining Engineering Student Outcomes

An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints; such as, economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.
An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
An ability to communicate effectively.
The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context.
A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
A knowledge of contemporary issues.
An ability to use techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
Demonstrated proficiency in statics, dynamics, strength of materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and electrical circuits.
A fundamental knowledge of the geological sciences; including mineral and rock identification and properties.
Demonstrated proficiency in engineering topics related to both surface and underground mining; including, mining methods, planning and design, ground control and rock mechanic, health and safety, environmental issues, and ventilation.
Demonstrated proficiency in additional engineering topics; such as, rock fragmentation, materials handling, mineral processing, mine surveying, and valuation and resources/reserve estimation.

The Mining Engineering program believes that the quality of our academic program is ultimately defined by the long-term success of our graduates. Program objectives and the curriculum are assessed regularly on the basis of input from students, alumni, faculty, and industry practitioners.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Mining Engineering, B.S.