Mining Engineering (BS)
The field of mining is experiencing a resurgence in importance, driven significantly by the global energy transition and the increasing demand for critical minerals necessary for advanced technologies. As the backbone of civilization, Earth's mineral and metal resources are vital for economic development and meeting the needs of a growing population. Technologies supporting renewable energy, energy storage, electric vehicles, defense, and manufacturing all rely on a secure and affordable supply of these resources. Columbia University has a deep historical connection to mining education, dating back to the establishment of the School of Mines in 1864, which served as the foundation for the School of Engineering and Applied Science. This historical legacy underscores the integral role mining has played in the university's past and sets the stage for its renewed importance in addressing contemporary global demands.
Recognizing the rapidly evolving landscape of the industry and the urgent need for skilled professionals, the Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering at Columbia is committed to updating and modernizing its Mining Engineering program on a regular basis. We aim to align the curriculum with current industry needs, incorporate technological advancements, and meet the evolving expectations of students. Curriculum modernization is vital for maintaining the program's competitiveness, attracting top talent, and ensuring graduates are prepared for the mining workplace. Situated within the broader context of Earth and Environmental Engineering, which focuses on the sustainable use and management of Earth's resources, the Mining Engineering program at Columbia is uniquely positioned to integrate these crucial perspectives.
The importance of mining in Columbia is further highlighted by the program's commitment to addressing the industry's complex challenges, particularly in areas of sustainability, environmental responsibility, and technological integration. Modern mining practices necessitate sustainable methods, effective reclamation techniques, thorough environmental impact assessment, and meaningful community engagement. The updated curriculum strengthens coverage of environmental regulations, mine closure planning, and circular economy principles within a mining context. Furthermore, the program integrates advanced technologies like automation, data analytics, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence to prepare students for a technologically advanced future. The emphasis on these areas, reflected in curriculum components such as the Sustainable Mining and Materials elective specialization, demonstrates Columbia's focus on developing a new paradigm for resource development that is both technologically advanced and environmentally conscious.
The Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering is dedicated to providing students with a rigorous, relevant, and cutting-edge education that prepares them for successful careers in the evolving field of mining engineering. The mining industry requires new leadership and increased talent due to several key drivers:
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Increased Demand for Critical Minerals: The transition to a low-carbon economy and demand for advanced technologies require a new generation of engineers to extract critical minerals and rare earth elements responsibly and efficiently.
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Technological Advancements: The rapid adoption of technologies like automation, data analytics, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence necessitates curriculum integration to prepare students for the modern workplace, including topics like mine automation and data-driven decision-making.
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Emphasis on Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility: Modern practices prioritize sustainability, environmental protection, and social responsibility. The curriculum reflects this by emphasizing sustainable methods, reclamation, environmental impact assessment, and community engagement, including coverage of environmental regulations, mine closure planning, and circular economy principles.
The undergraduate programs at Columbia Engineering, including Mining Engineering, integrate fundamental math and science concepts with engineering contexts in the first year of the Art of Engineering course, which also addresses nontechnical issues like ethics and project management.
The program typically spans four years, with a structure integrating foundational sciences, engineering topics, and electives.
First and Second Years include coursework in:
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Mathematics (Calculus, Differential Equations, Probability, Statistics).
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Physics.
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Chemistry.
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Required Nontechnical Electives (e.g., English, Humanities, Global Core, Economics).
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Required Professional and Technical Electives (e.g., Earth Sciences, Engineering Mechanics). EAEE E2100 A BETTER PLANET BY DESIGN
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Computer Science.
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Physical Education.
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The Art of Engineering.
Third and Fourth Years. These years delve deeper into core mining engineering topics through required courses and offer flexibility via technical and nontechnical electives that emphasize
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Complex engineering problems and design tasks related to surface and underground mining include mining methods, planning and design, ground control and rock mechanics, health and safety, environmental issues, materials handling, and mine ventilation.
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Additional engineering topics incorporating complex engineering problems and design tasks in areas such as rock fragmentation, mineral or coal processing, mine surveying, mine valuation, resource/reserve estimation, mine sustainability, and mine automation.
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Laboratory experience in geologic concepts, rock mechanics, mine ventilation, and other topics appropriate to the program's objectives.
Mining concepts are addressed throughout the curriculum, including:
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EACE E4252: complex engineering problems and rock fragmentation, and mineral processing design tasks.
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EAEE E4200complex engineering problems and engineering design tasks related to surface and underground mining, including mining methods, planning and design, ground control, and rock mechanics.
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EACE E3255: Mine ventilation and safety are part of environmental control and pollution, including health and safety, environmental issues, materials handling, and mine ventilation.
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EAEE E3800: laboratory experience in geologic concepts, rock mechanics, mine ventilation, and other appropriate topics.
Mining Engineering Program
An overview of the degree track in PDF format can be found here.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester I | ||
| Choose one of the following Mathematics courses:1 | ||
| CALCULUS I | ||
| HONORS MATHEMATICS A | ||
| Choose one of the following Physics courses:1 | ||
| INTRO TO MECHANICS ＆ THERMO | ||
| PHYSICS I:MECHANICS/RELATIVITY | ||
| ACCELERATED PHYSICS I | ||
| Choose one of the following Chemistry courses:1 | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I-LECTURES | ||
| 2ND TERM GEN CHEM (INTENSIVE) | ||
| INTENSVE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | ||
| ENGL CC1010 (taken Semester l or ll) | UNIVERSITY WRITING | |
| ENGI E1006 (taken Semester l, ll, lll, or lV) | INTRO TO COMP FOR ENG/APP SCI | |
| PHED UN1001 | PHYSICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES | |
| ENGI E1102 (taken Semester l or ll) | THE ART OF ENGINEERING | |
| Semester II | ||
| Choose one of the following Mathematics courses: | ||
| CALCULUS II | ||
| HONORS MATHEMATICS B | ||
| Choose one of the following Physics courses: | ||
| INTRO ELEC/MAGNETSM ＆ OPTCS | ||
| PHYSICS II: THERMO, ELEC ＆ MAG | ||
| ACCELERATED PHYSICS II | ||
| Choose one of the following Chemistry courses: | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY II-LECTURES | ||
| INTENSVE GENERAL CHEMISTRY-LAB | ||
| INTENSVE ORG CHEM-FOR 1ST YEAR | ||
| ENGL CC1010 (taken Semester l or ll) | UNIVERSITY WRITING | |
| ENGI E1006 (taken Semester l, ll, lll, or lV) | INTRO TO COMP FOR ENG/APP SCI | |
| PHED UN1002 | PHYSICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES | |
| ENGI E1102 (taken Semester l or ll) | THE ART OF ENGINEERING | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester III | ||
| Choose one of the following Mathematics courses: | ||
| APMA E2000 & APMA E2001 | MULTV. CALC. FOR ENGI ＆ APP SCI | |
| Choose one of the following Chemistry/Physics/Biology courses: | ||
| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I-LECTURES | ||
| INTRO-CLASSCL ＆ QUANTUM WAVES | ||
| PHYSICS III:CLASS/QUANTUM WAVE | ||
| INTRO BIO I: BIOCHEM,GEN,MOLEC | ||
| Choose one of the following Required Nontechnical Electives: | ||
| Literature Humanities I | ||
| CONTEMP WESTERN CIVILIZATION I | ||
Global Core (3–4) | ||
| Choose one of the following Required Professional and Technical Electives: | ||
| EARTH'S ENVIRO SYST: CLIM SYST | ||
| EARTH'S ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS: THE SOLID EARTH | ||
| EAEE E2100 | A BETTER PLANET BY DESIGN | |
| ENGI E1006 (taken Semester l, ll, lll, or lV) | INTRO TO COMP FOR ENG/APP SCI | |
| Semester IV | ||
| Choose one of the following Mathematics courses: | ||
| INTRO TO APPLIED MATHEMATICS | ||
| ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS | ||
| EACE E4252 | Foundations of Environmental Engineering | |
| Choose one of the following Required Nontechnical Electives: | ||
| Literature Humanities II | ||
| CONTEMP WESTRN CIVILIZATION II | ||
Global Core (3–4) | ||
| ECON UN1105 & ECON UN1155 | PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS | |
| HUMA UN1121 or UN1123 | MASTERPIECES OF WESTERN ART,Masterpieces of Western Art | |
| STAT GU4001 | INTRODUCTION TO PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester V | ||
| EAEE E3103 | ENERGY,MINERALS,MATERIALS SYST | |
| EAEE E3200 | TRANSPORT/CHEM RATE PHENOMENA | |
| CHEE E3010 | PRIN-CHEM ENGIN-THERMODYNAMICS | |
| Nontech Elective (3 points) | ||
| Semester VI | ||
| EAEE E4003 | AQUATIC CHEMISTRY | |
| EACE E3250 | Hydrosystems Engineering | |
| EAEE E3800 | EARTH ＆ ENVIR ENGIN LAB I | |
| EAEE E3901 | ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY | |
| Tech Elective (3 points) | ||
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester VII | ||
| EAEE E3998 | UNDERGRADUATE PROJECT I | |
| Tech Elective (6 points) | ||
| EAEE E4200 | Introduction to Sustainable Production of Earth Mineral ＆ Metal Resources | |
| Nontech Elective (3 points) | ||
| Semester VIII | ||
| EACE E3255 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND POLLUTION REDUCTION | |
| EAEE E3999 | UNDERGRADUATE PROJECT II | |
| Tech Elective (9 points) | ||
| Nontech Electives (6 points) | ||
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Course may follow a sequential order, please review the degree track PDF linked at the top of this page for more information on how to complete your Math, Physics, and Chemistry requirement.