Mining engineering applies aspects of science, technology, and engineering to solve complex problems in sustainable extraction of minerals. At Michigan Tech, become a part of a necessary field to meet societal and industrial needs.
A bachelor’s degree in mining engineering at Michigan Tech prepares you to manage any phase of mining operations—from exploration and discovery through feasibility studies, mine design, development of plans, production, and operations, to mine closure. Engage in mining without causing undue disturbance to the environment, and make mining operations productive, safe, and efficient. Take charge as a mining engineer. Design mine layouts and excavation plans, monitor the safety of people and equipment, and optimize processes as a dynamic leader.
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At Michigan Tech, take advantage of our location in the heart of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Expand your education by exploring real local mining sites and work with experts and industry-leading faculty to solve new challenges in mining. Join faculty and student groups on field trips around the world to study diverse materials and mining practices.
Collaborate with your fellow mining engineers in the Geology Learning Center or as a member of a student organization such as the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration or the Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club. Meet the global need for more mining professionals with internships and co-op opportunities with the assistance of department-dedicated advisors.
What Will I Study?
As a mining engineering major at Michigan Tech, you'll build on a foundation of physics, mathematics, and engineering principles. Develop hands-on expertise working on geological projects. Put your skills to the test in either an industry-sponsored Senior Design capstone project or collaborative Enterprise team. Expand your expertise with advanced coursework in the following areas:
- Mining Systems and the Environment
- Computational Methods of Geomechanics
- Geohydrology
- Bulk Materials Dynamics and Engineering
- Reliability and Optimization in Mining
- Mine Ventilation Engineering
Tomorrow Needs Innovation and Sustainability
Mining engineers plan, design, and supervise both surface and underground mining operations. Extraction needs to be safe and profitable. Market conditions can be difficult and the environment challenging. The creation of a sustainable mining operation must involve innovative decision-making.
To become good decision-makers, mining engineers need sound technical expertise. They must exercise multidisciplinary knowledge across the sciences. Mining engineers also need practical experience and communication skills. It is critical to be able to work in multidisciplinary teams.
Engineering Enterprise Concentration
You can pursue an Enterprise concentration by taking part in Michigan Tech's award-winning Enterprise program. It's a great way to enhance your undergraduate degree. Enterprise is when students work in teams on real projects, with real clients, in an environment that's more like a business than a classroom. Choose from among 25 Enterprise teams on campus to invent products, provide services, and pioneer solutions. Tackle real-world design projects for industry sponsors or take part in a national competition (or both). This concentration can add courses in business and entrepreneurship.
All Enterprise teams are open to all majors. Tackle real-world design projects for industry sponsors or take part in a national competition (or both). This concentration can add courses in business and entrepreneurship.
Be Career Ready
Discover a world of opportunity. Graduate with a bachelor's degree in mining engineering. It will prepare you for a career in mining and aggregate industries or graduate study. Mining engineers work in all aspects of exploring, planning, extracting, and processing minerals.
Explore career opportunities for mining engineers:
- Mining Engineer
- Mining Geostatistician
- Mine Planning Engineer
- Mine Manager
- Consulting Engineer
- Mining Company Director
- Mining Law Enforcement Officer
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Entrepreneurship
- Graduate Studies
- Research and Development
Multidisciplinary Approach
The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences hosts the BS in Mining Engineering degree program and collaborates with several engineering departments on campus.
Core Course Areas
- Mining engineering
- Geological engineering
Multidisciplinary Course Areas
- Civil engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
Get a degree in mining engineering. Address the challenges of modern mining practices. Take on a leadership role in the mining industry. Michigan Technological University began as the Michigan Mining School in Houghton back in 1885.
Emily Street is Connected to Mining"I am proud to be a student here, at what was originally the Michigan Mining School, and to be able to work as a miner in the industry that brought my family to the Keweenaw nearly one hundred years ago!"
