Mining Engineering MSc/PgDip

Program Overview

The MSc/PgDip Mining Engineering program at the University of Exeter aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of professionals in the mining industry and specialize graduates in mining, geotechnical engineering, and excavation. Graduates gain practical experience through industry projects, develop research abilities through a dissertation, and benefit from a research-led culture and excellent links with the minerals industry. This program equips graduates with the skills and qualifications needed to succeed in various roles within the mining and related sectors.

Program Outline

MSc/PgDip Mining Engineering - University of Exeter

Degree Overview:

This program is designed for engineers and geologists already in employment seeking skills and knowledge enhancement, or for geology and engineering graduates looking to specialize in mining, general management, and excavation (geotechnics and tunnelling).

Objectives:

• Enhance skills and knowledge: The program aims to provide students with specialized analytical, design, and management skills relevant to the mining industry.
• Specialization: It allows graduates to specialize in mining, general management, and excavation.
• Global Perspective: The program benefits from excellent links with the local and international minerals industry, and students learn alongside a cohort from around the world.

Outline:

Structure:

• The program can be studied full-time over one year or part-time over three years.
• Students must complete 180 credits for an MSc and 120 credits for a PgDip.
• The program is structured into two semesters.
• Field visits and practical field-based assignments are incorporated to emphasize key areas within each module.
• The project is undertaken during June to September, after the second semester examinations.
• Completed dissertations must be submitted by mid-September.

Course Schedule:

• Semester 1:
• CSMM118 Project and Dissertation (60 credits)
• CSMM130 Excavation and Geomechanics (15 credits)
• CSMM131 Health and Safety in the Extractive Industry (15 credits)
• CSMM135 Economics, Processing & Environment (15 credits)
• CSMM140 Surface Excavation Design (15 credits)
• Semester 2:
• CSMM153 Mine Planning and Design (15 credits)
• CSMM187 Underground Excavation Design (15 credits)
• CSMM188 Working Environment and Ventilation (15 credits)
• CSMM418 Mine Automation (15 credits)
• CSM3904 CSM Professionalism Year 3 (30 credits)

Modules:

• CSMM118 Project and Dissertation (60 credits): This module focuses on developing research skills and completing a dissertation.
• CSMM131 Health and Safety in the Extractive Industry (15 credits): This module explores health and safety regulations and practices in the mining industry.
• CSMM135 Economics, Processing & Environment (15 credits): This module examines the economic, processing, and environmental aspects of mining.
• CSMM140 Surface Excavation Design (15 credits): This module focuses on the design and implementation of surface mining operations.
• CSMM153 Mine Planning and Design (15 credits): This module covers the planning and design of underground and surface mines.
• CSMM187 Underground Excavation Design (15 credits): This module focuses on the design and implementation of underground mining operations.
• CSMM188 Working Environment and Ventilation (15 credits): This module explores the working environment and ventilation systems in mines.
• CSMM418 Mine Automation (15 credits): This module examines the use of automation in mining operations.
• CSM3904 CSM Professionalism Year 3 (30 credits): This module focuses on developing professional skills and ethics.

Assessment:

• Modules: Assessment methods vary depending on the module and may include exams, coursework, presentations, and reports.
• Dissertation: The dissertation is a significant component of the MSc program and requires students to conduct independent research and write a substantial piece of work.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, field trips, and practical exercises.
• Faculty: The program is taught by internationally established faculty from the Camborne School of Mines (CSM), a combined mining school and geoscience department.
• Industry Practitioners: The program also benefits from the expertise of leading industry practitioners.
• Research-Led Culture: The program fosters a research and practice-led culture, with students discussing the latest ideas, research discoveries, and new technologies in seminars and in the field.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates of this program are well-prepared for careers in mining engineering, geotechnical engineering, drill and blast engineering, automatic fare collection engineering, and geology.
• Opportunities: Graduates have secured positions in large companies such as Glencore, Atlas Iron, Vedanta Resources, and First Quantum Minerals.
• Skills and Knowledge: The program equips graduates with the technical skills, theoretical knowledge, and complementary skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Other:

• Facilities: The program benefits from world-class facilities, including £2 million analytical mineralogy labs and an automated QEMSCAN scanning electron microscope.
• Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability: Students become part of Exeter's Graduate School of Environment & Sustainability, a vibrant postgraduate community based on the Penryn campus in Cornwall.
• Community and Relations: The program provides students with a strong community and network of alumni, allowing graduates to prosper in their fields globally.

2024/25 entry UK fees per year: MSc:£13,700 full-time£6,850 part-time (where available) PgDip:£9,140 (where available) International fees per year: MSc:£27,500 full-time£13,750 part-time (where available) PgDip:£18,340 full-time (where available)