Bachelor of Engineering (Mining Engineering)
The principal undergraduate degree program offered by the School of Mining Engineering leads to a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining Engineering).
The BE (Mining Engineering) is recognised by the engineering professional organisations the Institution of Engineers (Australia) (IEAust) and the Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy (AusIMM), and is a requirement for the statutory qualification of Mine Manager.
The program is four years full-time study on campus. Courses include a mixture of lectures, tutorials, laboratory exercises and demonstrations and field trips. Industrial training is a compulsory component of the program and the School is making increasing use of alternate technologies to enhance the educational process.
What will you learn?
In the 1st year, the emphasis is on establishing a fundamental understanding of the sciences. This is built on in subsequent years, firstly covering the general principles of engineering and then applying this knowledge to the various activities, processes and systems that support mining and associated industries. In later years projects are undertaken – individually and in teams – which involve engineering design and analysis that further promote the application of the principles to real-life problems.
The program is comprehensive in terms of covering the essential elements required of a mining engineer including:
- geomechanics
- ventilation
- mine planning and evaluation
- mineral processing
- fundamental engineering principles.
Other degree options
- Find out about Dual Degrees.
- Postgraduate degree. A number of postgraduate research and coursework degree options are offered at UNSW. The coursework programs are designed to meet the needs of different student cohorts,such as:
- people who already have an undergraduate degree in Mining Engineering and who wish to pursue further specialisation such as in Mining Geomechanics;
- people who already have an undergraduate degree though not in Mining Engineering and who wish to obtain an understanding of some aspect of mining while also gaining a formal qualification;
- people who are employed in the mining industry and who wish to undertake studies leading to a formal qualification.
The postgraduate program has been specifically designed to meet the special requirements of persons working in the mining industry and can cater to those who are normally resident outside of Sydney. Each of the courses in the program is offered in short-course mode involving an intensive one-week block of lectures, tutorials, site visits and assignments followed by a period of off-campus study to complete a major project. This arrangement allows people to study while still engaged in full-time employment. Usually students enrol in one or two courses each semester.
Which degree would best suit me?
The essential difference between the two degree options, either undergraduate or postgraduate, comes down to whether you wish to be considered and recognised as a professional Mining Engineering, in which case you will need to complete the undergraduate degree option.
If you cannot afford to leave the workforce but want to undertake study into some aspects of mining and at the same time gain a university qualification then you should consider the postgraduate degree options.