South Dakota - School of Mines and Technology
Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering
Rapid City, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 29,200 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
What is Mining Engineering?
Mining engineering is the development and preparation of a mine in order to safely and efficiently remove resources while protecting the environment.
Resources extracted during mining are used in a variety of modern-day products, from toothpaste to cell phones to cars.
What does a mining engineer do?
As a mining engineer, you will identify the location of valuable and accessible material deposits and devise processes for extracting them safely from the earth for use in manufacturing and utilities.
Mining engineers strive to extract the minerals for the least cost and the lowest environmental impact and often specialize in one type of mineral or metal.
The field of mining engineering has become highly automated, utilizing robots, unmanned aerial vehicles, advanced explosives, and simulation technology.
As a mining engineering major at South Dakota Mines, you will be learning at one of only 13 such programs nationwide. The Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. To ensure students can access our world-class program, the department awards $250,000 in scholarship money each year
International students may seek scholarship opportunities but should be aware that many scholarships are limited to US citizens or permanent residents. South Dakota Mines does not offer scholarships specifically for international students. You must be ADMITTED by January 15 of the year you are planning to enroll in the fall semester if you wish to be considered for scholarships. Scholarships are only awarded for a start date of the fall semester. Please see the Scholarships website for information on Mines scholarships.
International students are NOT eligible for South Dakota Mines or federal loan programs and should not apply for such financial assistance.
Freshman Year
First Semester
- General Chemistry I
- General Chemistry I Lab
- Calculus I
- Introduction to Geology, Geological Engineering, and Mining Engineering Lab
- Composition I
- Gen Ed Goal 4 Elective
Second Semester
- Calculus II
- University Physics I
- Introduction to Mining, Sustainable Development, and Safety
- Gen Ed Goal 3 and Goal 4 Elective(s)
Sophomore Year
First Semester
- Mining and Management Mathematics I
- University Physics II
- Statics and Dynamics
- Surveying for Mining and Geological Engineers
- Communication in the STEM Workplace
- Microeconomics (OR) Macroeconomics
Second Semester
- Differential Equations
- Geology for Engineers/Lab
- Explorations in STEM Communications
- Mineral Processing and Resource Recovery
- Surface Mining Methods and Unit Operations
- Managerial Finance for Engineers and Scientists
Junior Year
First Semester
- Computer Applications in Mining/Lab
- Underground Mining Methods and Equipment
- Introduction to Explosives Engineering
- Mineralogy and Petrology for Mining Engineers/Lab
- Mechanics of Materials
Second Semester
- Mineral Economics and Finance
- Theoretical and Applied Rock Mechanics/Lab
- Basic Circuits/Lab
- Fluid Mechanics
- Atmospheric Thermodynamics
- Mineral Exploration and Geostatistics
Senior Year
First Semester
- International Business for Engineers and Scientists
- Theoretical and Applied Mine Ventilation/Lab
- Mine Management for the Mineral Industry
- Mining Senior Design Project
- Mining Technical Elective
Second Semester
- Mining Technical Elective
- Structural Geology/Lab
- Mine Permitting and Reclamation
- Human Resource Management for Engineers and Scientists
- Department Approved Elective
South Dakota Mines mining engineering grads work in a variety of fields, including:
- Mineral extraction
- Construction
- Operations, project, and environmental management
- Drilling, blasting
- Mine Design
- Mine land reclamation
- Health and Safety
- Geoscience modeling
- Rock engineering
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