Mining Engineering, B.S.

Program Code: MNGE_BS

Program Description

Mining contributes to nearly 15 percent of the U.S. and 25 percent of the global economy. Mined products are significant and critical inputs to food production, manufacturing, construction, and electricity supply, and each year every person in the U.S. requires an average of 38,500 pounds of new minerals to equip and power their day-to-day activities. Over 14,000 mines distributed throughout the U.S. supply the majority of these mined products.

The Penn State Mining Engineering program prepares students for a career in the industrial minerals, metals, and energy industries that sustain the domestic and global economies. Importantly, the program provides an emphasis on sustainable mining through integration of environmental health and safety, and societal responsibility principles in the design and operation of mineral enterprises.

Graduates of the program will be prepared to work domestically or internationally to develop and operate mines; or to work in supporting activities including engineering consulting, banking, equipment development and supply, regulatory enforcement, and research. This is accomplished primarily through the curriculum, but is enhanced by an internship program, which allows qualified students to obtain practical experience through structured employment opportunities in the private and public sectors. 

The curriculum is built on the foundation of mathematics, science, and general education common to engineering majors at Penn State. The courses specific to this major are designed and sequenced to provide an appropriate blend of theory, application, and design. The required courses help to provide the enabling skills for graduates to work in any facet of the vast minerals industry, and technical electives allow for in-depth study of more specialized topics. The general education opportunities are sufficiently broad and diverse in nature and scope to enable the student to tailor the educational experience to particular interests, backgrounds, and expected roles in society.

Student-Trainee Program

An internship program and a five-year work-study plan are available to incoming students in Mining Engineering. Numerous mining and manufacturing companies, as well as government agencies, cooperate with the University to offer structured employment opportunities during the student’s academic career. In addition to earning significant funds to help finance their education, these opportunities provide valuable practical and professional experience prior to graduation. The internships normally take place in the summer, and the B.S. degree can be earned in four years. The work-study plan consists of alternating six-month periods of employment and schooling, and requires five years to earn the B.S. degree. Additional information can be obtained from the department.

What is Mining Engineering?

Mining engineers extract materials required for the survival of society while being stewards of the environment. They solve unique engineering challenges. Their workplace can often be in an out-of-the-office setting such as a surface or underground mine—or an office setting using cutting-edge technology and software simulations to plan solutions to problems. Worldwide, mining companies extract more than 100 different commodities that are used in nearly every industrial sector. There's a saying: if it can’t be grown, it has to be mined! The United Nations has recognized 17 goals as a part of their "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." Minerals, including 50 identified as 'critical' by the US government, will be instrumental in achieving several of these goals. These minerals are required for several applications, including clean energy transition, aerospace, defense, etc. A mining engineer thus stays at the forefront of the economy, environment, and society.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You want to be instrumental in the energy transition and sustainable development goals. 
  • You want to work in an out-of-the-office setting. 
  • You are a “hands-on” problem solver. 
  • You want to apply different engineering disciplines to your problem solving, and prefer not to be focused on just one. 
  • You want to join a high-tech industry that provides the basic building blocks, minerals, and other materials used in nearly every industry today. 

Entrance to Major

In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, a student must:

  1. attain at least a C (2.00) cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and
  2. have at least third-semester classification.

READ SENATE POLICY 37-30: ENTRANCE TO AND CHANGES IN MAJOR PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering, a minimum of 131 credits is required:

Requirement Credits
General Education 45
Requirements for the Major 113

27 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 3 credits of GS courses; 6 credits of GWS courses; 3 credits of GH courses.

Requirements for the Major

To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Prescribed Courses
CHEM 110Chemical Principles I Keystone/General Education Course3
CHEM 111Experimental Chemistry I Keystone/General Education Course1
ECON 102Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy Keystone/General Education Course3
EDSGN 100Cornerstone Engineering Design3
EE 211Electrical Circuits and Power Distribution3
EMCH 210Statics and Strength of Materials5
EME 460Geo-resource Evaluation and Investment Analysis3
EMSC 100SEarth and Mineral Sciences First-Year Seminar Keystone/General Education Course 13
GEOSC 201Earth Materials4
MATH 140Calculus With Analytic Geometry I Keystone/General Education Course4
MATH 141Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Keystone/General Education Course4
MATH 250Ordinary Differential Equations3
MNG 223Mineral Land and Mine Surveying2
MNG 331Rock Mechanics3
MNG 404Mine Materials Handling Systems2
MNG 410Underground Mining3
MNG 411Mine Systems Engineering2
MNG 422Mine Ventilation and Air Conditioning3
PHYS 211General Physics: Mechanics Keystone/General Education Course4
PHYS 212General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism Keystone/General Education Course4
PHYS 213General Physics: Fluids and Thermal Physics Keystone/General Education Course2
STAT 3013
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
GEOSC 1Physical Geology3
MNG 230Introduction to Mining Engineering3
MNG 441Surface Mining Systems and Design3
MNG 451WMining Engineering Project4
MNPR 301Elements of Mineral Processing3
MNPR 413Mineral Processing Laboratory1
Additional Courses
Select 23 credits, one course from each category:23
A.
Rhetoric and Composition Keystone/General Education Course
Honors Rhetoric and Composition Keystone/General Education Course
B.
Ethics Keystone/General Education Course
Business Ethics Keystone/General Education Course
Philosophy of Technology Keystone/General Education Course
Ethics and the Design of Technology Keystone/General Education Course
C.
Programming for Engineers with C++ Keystone/General Education Course
CMPSC 202
D.
Matrices Keystone/General Education Course
Calculus of Several Variables
E.
Dynamics
Dynamics
F.
Thermodynamics in Energy and Mineral Engineering
Engineering Thermodynamics I
G.
Fluid Mechanics
Fluid Mechanics in Energy and Mineral Engineering
H.
Introduction to Field Geology
MNG 470
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 6 credits in consultation with adviser (students may apply 6 credits of ROTC)6
1

The following substitutions are allowed for students attending campuses where the indicated course is not offered: CAS 100 can be substituted for EMSC 100S.

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol Keystone/General Education Course appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
  • Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

  • Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

  • GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
  • GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

  • United States Cultures: 3 credits
  • International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

Integrated B.S. in Mining Engineering and M.S. in Energy and Mineral Engineering

Requirements for the Integrated B.S. in Mining Engineering and M.S. in Energy and Mineral Engineering can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.

Program Educational Objectives

  1. Within three to five years after graduation students are expected to be advancing in their career in the minerals industry and adapting to new situations and emerging problems, through the application of general engineering-science skills and the core technical problem-solving and design practices of the mining engineering profession, with an understanding of the need for lifelong learning.
  2. Within one to three years after graduation, students are expected to be communicating effectively.
  3. Within one to three years after graduation, students are expected to be functioning effectively as individuals or as members of teams.
  4. Upon graduation, students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of mining to society, realizing that, in contemporary society, attention to safety and health, responsibility to the environment, and ethical behavior are required without exception.
  5. Students are expected to prepare for and attain licensure as a Professional Engineer after graduation, if so desired.

Student Outcomes

Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. The Mining Engineering program is designed to enable students to:

  1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Sekhar Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A.
Chair of Mining Engineering Program
126A Hosler Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-7606
sxb1029@psu.edu

Samantha Suk
Academic Adviser
101A Hosler Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-867-5271
sjs68@psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2023-24 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contains suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).

Mining Engineering, B.S. at University Park Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 140 or 140G (GQ)‡†4MATH 141 or 141G (GQ)‡†4
CHEM 110 (GN)3CMPSC 200, 201, or 2033
CHEM 111 (GN)1ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15 (GWS)‡†3
EMSC 100S (or CAS 100 by substitution) (GWS)‡†13PHYS 211 (GN)4
EDSGN 1003PHIL 103, 106, 107, or 233 (GH)3
ECON 102 (GS)3 
 17 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHYS 212 (GN)4PHYS 2132
EMCH 2105EMCH 2123
MNG 223 or CE 2092EME 301 or ME 2013
MATH 2503MATH 220 or 2312
GEOSC 1*3EME 210 or STAT 4013
 MNG 230*3
 17 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
EE 2113MNPR 301*3
GEOSC 2014MNG 4223
MNG 4042MNG 3313
EME 460 or MNG 4123MNG 441*3
EME 3033ENGL 202C (GWS)‡†3
General Education Health and Wellness (GHW)1.5General Education Knowledge Domain3
 16.5 18
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MNG 4112MNG 451W (Part 2) (Writing across the curriculum)*2
MNG 4103General Education Knowledge Domain3
MNG 451W (Part 1) (Writing across the curriculum)*2General Education Knowledge Domain3
GEOSC 470W3MNG Technical Elective from Approved Department List23
MNPR 413*1General Education Health and Wellness (GHW)1.5
MNG Technical Elective from Approved Department List23 
General Education Knowledge Domain3 
 17 12.5
Total Credits 131
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.

1

Students who begin their studies at non-UP locations and/or join the college after their first year should substitute CAS 100, CAS 100A, CAS 100B, or CAS 100C (GWS) for EMSC 100S (GWS). EMSC 100S Earth and Mineral Sciences First year Seminar (3) is a required course only for students who begin their studies at UP in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.

2

Approved Technical Electives for the MNGE major can be found at the department website: https://www.eme.psu.edu/approved-tech-electives-mnge. Mining technical electives may be substitute with up to 6 credits ROTC.

Advising Notes:

To enter the major, students need a minimum 2.00 grade point average and third semester standing.  

Courses required for the major may be offered fall semester only, spring semester only, or both fall and spring semesters.  Consult with your adviser and department to discuss your academic progress and course sequencing.

Mining Engineering, B.S. at Commonwealth Campuses

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 140 (GQ)‡†4MATH 141 (GQ)‡†4
CHEM 110 (GN)3ECON 102 (GS)3
CHEM 111 (GN)1CMPSC 200, 201, or 2033
ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15 (GWS)‡†3PHYS 211 (GN)4
EDSGN 1003PHIL 103, 106, 107, or 233 (GH)3
General Education Knowledge Domain3 
 17 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHYS 212 (GN)4EMCH 2123
EMCH 211 (Take EMCH 211 and EMCH 213 in place of EMCH 210)3EMCH 213 (Take EMCH 211 and EMCH 213 in place of EMCH 210)3
MATH 220 or 2312PHYS 2132
CAS 100, CAS 100A, CAS 100B, or CAS 100C (GWS)‡†13ENGL 202C (GWS)‡†3
General Education Knowledge Domain3MATH 2503
General Education Health and Wellness (GHW)1.5MNG 230 (online)*3
 16.5 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GEOSC 1*3MNPR 301*3
MNG 4042MNG 4223
EME 3033MNG 3313
MNG 223 or CE 2092MNG 441*3
EME 3013GEOSC 2014
EME 460 or MNG 4123 
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MNG 4112MNG 451W (Part 2) (Writing across the curriculum)*2
MNG 4103General Education Knowledge Domain3
MNG 451W (Part 1) (Writing across the curriculum)*2General Education Knowledge Domain3
MNG Technical Elective from Approved Department List23MNG Technical Elective from Approved Department List23
GEOSC 470W3EE 2113
MNPR 413*1General Education Health and Wellness (GHW)1.5
EME 210 or STAT 4013 
 17 15.5
Total Credits 132
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

1

Students who begin their studies at non-UP locations and/or join the college after their first year should substitute CAS 100, CAS 100A, CAS 100B, or CAS 100C (GWS) for EMSC 100S (GWS). EMSC 100S Earth and Mineral Sciences First year Seminar (3) is a required course only for students who begin their studies at UP in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.

2

Approved Technical Electives for the MNGE major can be found at the department website: https://www.eme.psu.edu/approved-tech-electives-mnge. Mining technical electives may be substitute with up to 6 credits ROTC.

Advising Notes:

To enter the major, students need a minimum 2.00 grade point average and third semester standing.  

Courses required for the major may be offered fall semester only, spring semester only, or both fall and spring semesters.  Consult with your adviser and department to discuss your academic progress and course sequencing.  

Career Paths

The demand for mining engineers routinely exceeds the supply, and our graduates often have a choice of career paths.

Careers

Companies that actively mine are the largest employer, and seek graduates for production, engineering, and management-trainee positions. Manufacturers of mining equipment employ design and application engineers from our program, as do consulting engineering firms. Government agencies focused on safety, the environment, and research employ many mining engineers. Some are employed in rather unexpected places including banks that finance mining projects and the military. Internships are an important part of the undergraduate program experience, and many of our students complete two or three summer internships with mining companies.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE MINING ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

A relatively small number of mining engineering graduates pursue graduate education; but doing so adds additional career opportunities at government and private research labs, and in academia. Often underappreciated, however, is that broadening and deepening the level of technical skills is valuable in the engineering and production career paths in addition to the obvious value for a career in research. In this regard, developing specialties in a particular facet of mining engineering or expanding into interdisciplinary areas can be particularly rewarding. Some mining engineering graduates pursue graduate degrees in law or business administration.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Professional Resources

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering at University Park is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Mining Engineering Program Criteria.

Professional Licensure/Certification

Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.

Contact

University Park

JOHN AND WILLIE LEONE FAMILY DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND MINERAL ENGINEERING
113 Hosler Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-3437
eme@ems.psu.edu

https://www.eme.psu.edu