Graduate Programs

Of the 30 hours required for the MS degree, a minimum of 12 credit hours must be in approved Mineral Engineering courses.

All graduate students must complete at least one credit of ME 572 (graduate seminar). Under special consideration, a student may petition the advisory committee with approval of the Department Chair to pursue a Master of Science degree with Independent Study (three hours of ME 590). A formal paper will be submitted with an oral presentation to the advisory committee.

The student may select one area of specialization as outlined below; within each specialization, recommended courses are provided.

In Mining Engineering, three major areas of study that are available include rock mechanics, rock blasting and vibration control, and environmental aspects. Rock mechanics research includes the development of new testing methodology to evaluate the behavior of rock around underground excavations. Environmental control of mine wastes, mine waste characterization remediation. Design of waste-site facilities.

Courses Required:

At least 12 credits selected from ME 511, ME 521, ME 522, ME 523, ME 551, ME 562, ME 563. Other courses can be substituted with the approval of the research advisor and committee.

The application of explosives for the fragmentation of rock and military and commercial applications is an area of research for which New Mexico Tech has a long history. The Department is active in fragmentation studies and works closely with industry in the areas of ground vibration and airblast control.

Research in blast effects involve studies both at the source, by evaluating geologic structures, and at structures, by measuring structure response. In addition, blast induced damage in the vicinity of the blast is studied and correlated with fragmentation and blast design parameters. Students have many opportunities to work in the field while others prefer to conduct research in computer modeling of detonations, forensics, and development of shape charges.

Courses Required

At least 12 credits selected from ME 515, ME 517, ME 520, ME 534, ME 545, ME 546, ME 548, ME 549 , ME 550 or MENG 550, ME 552, ME 553 or MENG 570. Other courses can be substituted with the approval of the research committee and the department.

In Geotechnical Engineering, on-going studies include rock and soil mechanics, instrumentation, foundation design and slope stability. Major projects include the slope stability of mine rock piles, monitoring and evaluation of highway slopes, and the development of deformation instrumentation for the application to underground and surface rock and soil movements.

New Mexico Tech researchers work closely with the state highway department, cities and counties to develop new methods to analyze geoetchnical problems.

Courses Required

At least 12 credits selected from ME 506, ME 508, ME 515, ME 517, ME 520, ME 525, ME 531, ME 534, ME 535, ME 537, ME 540, ME 541, ME 561. Other courses can be substituted with the approval of the research advisor and committee.