General Catalog 2003-2004
April 4, 2003

College of Mines and Earth Sciences 

Department Office: 313 William C. Browning Building, (phone) 581-7198, (fax) 585-5410 

Mailing Address: 135 S. 1460 E., Rm. 313, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0113 

Web Address: www.mines.utah.edu/mining

E-mail: mineeng@mines.utah.edu

Department Chair, Michael K. McCarter.

Faculty

Professors. W. Hustrulid, M. McCarter, W. Pariseau. 

Associate Professors. F. Calizaya, M. Nelson. 

Adjunct Professors. R. Heers, K. Sinha. 

Adjunct Associate Professors. L. Manwaring, D. Whiting. 

Adjunct Instructors. J. McKenzie, M. Wright.

Advisers. Department Chair, M.K. McCarter, 313 WBB, 581-8603; Student Adviser, SME Student Chapter Adviser, M.G. Nelson, 316 WBB, 585-3064. 

Mining is the discovery, evaluation, development, operation, and reclamation of mineral deposits that are underground, near the surface, or in bodies of water and associated sediments. Mining engineers design, develop, reclaim, and manage mines and plants that are profitable, safe, and environmentally acceptable. 

 A strong domestic economy requires innovative, well-trained engineers to meet the ever-increasing demand for energy and mineral resources. On average, every person in the United States requires approximately 45,000 pounds of mineral products each year. 

 A successful career in mining engineering requires a strong background in mathematics, computer applications, economics, communication skills, and the physical sciences, particularly geology, physics, and chemistry. In addition, mining engineers must be versed in rock mechanics, mining methods, mineral beneficiation, mine ventilation, surveying, mineral evaluation, health and safety issues, permitting, environmental protection, reclamation, and management. 

 Instruction in mining and metallurgy was first given at the University of Utah in 1891. A school of mines was formally established at the University of Utah in 1901 by an Act of the Utah State Legislature. In 1948, it was designated the State College of Mines and Mineral Industries, and in 1988, the name was changed to the College of Mines and Earth Sciences. The campus is located near significant coal, tar sands, base metal, precious metal, and nonmetallic deposits offering opportunities for on-site visits and practical instruction. 

Undergraduate Program

Degree. B.S. 

Mining engineers design, develop, and manage systems for obtaining useful minerals from the Earth. Successful completion of the undergraduate mining engineering curriculum qualifies the student for a professional career in valuation and development of mineral properties, design and management of mine systems, as well as in research and consulting. Research and instruction facilities include laboratories for rock mechanics, ventilation, mine aerosols, mine reclamation, mine water, explosives, and computer applications. 

Admission Requirements. High school students seeking a degree in mining engineering should complete as many courses as possible in mathematics, English, physics, chemistry, and mechanical drawing. Entering freshmen normally begin their first year with calculus and chemistry. Deviation from this pattern usually increases the time required to complete the suggested four-year program. 

Specific Requirements. Seniors must pass the National Engineering Fundamentals Examination. Registration for this examination must be completed by spring semester of the junior year. 

Technical Electives. Technical electives allow students to increase their knowledge in specialty areas related to mining engineering. The specialty courses offered by the department include: 

Mine Operations: MG EN 5030, 5550, 5980 

Rock Mechanics: MG EN 5270, 5290, 5980 

Economics: MG EN 5450, 5980 

Environmental Issues: MG EN 5980 

General: MG EN 5110, 5500, 5970, 5980, GG 5450 

Courses in allied areas may be substituted subject to departmental approval. Please see department adviser for a list of acceptable courses. 

Requirements for the Major

Total Hours: 137

Group I - Mathematics 

MATH 1210 (4) 

MATH 1220 (4) 

Requires 2.0 GPA 

Group II - Mathematics 

MATH 2250 (3) 

MATH 3150 (2) 

MET E 3070 (3) or MATH 3070 (4) 

Requires 2.0 GPA 

Group III - Chemistry 

CHEM 1210 (4) 

CHEM 1230 (1) 

CHEM 1220 (4) 

CHEM 1240 (1) 

Requires 2.0 GPA 

Group IV - Physics 

PHYCS 2210 (4) 

PHYCS 2220 (4) 

Requires 2.0 GPA 

Group V - Engineering 

EL EN 1050 (3) 

CVEEN 2110 (3) 

ME EN 2410 (2) 

CP SC 1000 (3) 

Requires 2.0 GPA 

Group VI - Geology 

GG 1110 (3) and GG 1111 (1) 

GG 3060 (3) 

GG 3080 (4) 

GG 3095 (2) 

Requires 2.0 GPA 

Group VII - Mining 

MG EN 1050 (2) 

MG EN 2400 (3) 

MG EN 3010 (3)

MG EN 3400 (1) 

MG EN 5010 (3) 

MG EN 5020 (3) 

MG EN 5040 (2) 

MG EN 5050 (3) 

MG EN 5060 (3) 

MG EN 5080 (2) 

MG EN 5090 or MG EN 5120 (3) 

MG EN 5150 (3) 

MG EN 5160 (3) 

MG EN 5170 (2) 

MG EN 5320 (3) 

MG EN 5340 (2) 

Requires 2.2 GPA 

Group VIII - Seminar 

MG EN 4990 (0.5) (repeatable for multiple credit) 

Requires 3.0 credit hours 

Group IX - Technical Electives 

Select from*: 

MG EN 5030 (2) 

MG EN 5110 (2) 

MG EN 5270 (2) 

MG EN 5290 (2) 

MG EN 5500 (2) 

MG EN 5550 (2) 

MG EN 5970 (2) 

MG EN 5980 (2) 

GG 5450 (3) 

Requires 6.0 credit hours. Requires 2.2 GPA 

'see department for approved alternates. 

Group X - Other Required Courses 

MET E 1610 (2) 

WRTG 3400 (3) 

Group XI - National Engineering Fundamentals Examination 

Seniors must pass the fundamentals examination administered by the state of Utah. 

Registration for the exam must be completed by spring of the junior year. 

Model Program of Study

(for students working 20 hours or less) 

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

CHEM 1210, 1230 (5) 

MATH 1210 (4) 

WRTG 2010 (3) 

MG EN 1050 (2)

MG EN 4990 (0.5)

Total Hours: 14.5 

Spring Semester

CHEM 1220, 1240 (5) 

MATH 1220 (4) 

CP SC 1000 (3) 

GG 1110 and 1111 (4) 

MG EN 4990 (0.5) 

Total Hours: 16.5 

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

PHYCS 2210 (4) 

CVEEN 2110 (3) 

MET E 1610 (2) 

MET E 3070 (3) 

GG 3080 (4) 

MG EN 2400 (3)

MG EN 4990 (0.5)

Total Hours: 19.5 

Spring Semester

PHYCS 2220 (4) 

MATH 2250 (3) 

ME EN 2410 (2) 

GG 3060 (3) 

MG EN 4990 (0.5) 

GG 3095 (2) 

MG EN 3010 (3)

Total Hours: 17.5 

Junior Year

Fall Semester

EL EN 1050 (3) 

American Institutions (3) 

MATH 3150 (2) 

MG EN 5020 (3) 

MG EN 5060 (3) 

MG EN 4990 (0.5) 

Intellectual Exploration* (3)

Total Hours: 17.5 

Spring Semester

MG EN 3400 (1) 

MG EN 4990 (0.5) 

MG EN 5010 (3) 

MG EN 5320 (3) 

MG EN 5150 (3) 

Intellectual exploration* (3) 

Intellectual exploration* (3) 

Total Hours: 16.5 

Senior Year

Fall Semester

WRTG 3400 (3) 

Intellectual exploration* (3) 

MG EN 5040 (2) 

MG EN 5050 (3) 

MG EN 5160 (3) 

MG EN 5340 (2)

MG EN 4990 (0.5) 

Technical elective (2) 

Total Hours: 18.5 

Spring Semester

Intellectual exploration* (3) 

Intellectual exploration* (3) 

MG EN 4990 (0.5) 

MG EN 5080 (2) 

MG EN 5090 or 5120 (3) 

MG EN 5170 (2) 

Technical elective (2) 

Technical elective (2) 

Total Hours: 17.5 

Graduate Program

Degrees. M.S., M.E., Ph.D. in mining engineering. 

Areas of Specialization. Rock mechanics, mine ventilation and mine aerosols, mine systems, computer applications, innovative mining systems, open-pit planning and design, application of explosives, environmental protection, and mine reclamation. 

Special Admission Requirements. The GRE (verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions) is required of all transfer students. International student applicants must score 550 or higher on the TOEFL examination to be considered for admission. All applicants must submit three letters of reference from former professors. Evidence of research capability is required for admission to the Ph.D. program (e.g., M.S. thesis in English or extended abstract in English). 

M.S. Degree. Admission to candidacy is based on recommendation and approval by the departmental faculty. Continuance is based on close observation of classroom and research performance. Students are expected to begin research early in their graduate programs. 

 Courses required for a B.S. degree in mining engineering cannot be counted toward a graduate degree in this major. All planned course work, transfer credit, and proposed research must be approved by the student's supervisory committee. A written comprehensive exam is required of all candidates who enter the graduate  program after July 1, 1997. 

M.E. Degree. TOEFL and GRE requirements for admission to candidacy are the same as for the M.S. degree. 

 A candidate for the M.E. degree must complete an engineering study and submit a written report of individual work in some aspect of engineering design. Courses required for a B.S. degree in mining engineering cannot be counted toward a graduate degree in this major. A written comprehensive exam is required of all candidates who enter the graduate program after July 1, 1997. 

Ph.D. Degree. Applicants for the Ph.D. degree must have an M.S. degree, including a thesis. Admission is based on recommendation and approval by departmental faculty. Continuance is based upon successful completion of a qualifying examination as well as classroom and research performance. 

 An individual program is planned for each candidate with the assistance and approval of the supervisory committee. Courses required for a B.S. degree in mining engineering cannot be counted toward a graduate degree in this major. Planned course work, transfer credit, and proposed research must be approved by the student's supervisory committee. Graduates in engineering, mathematics, and the physical sciences are invited to direct letters of application to the department chair. 

MG EN Course Descriptions