Degree Requirements
Energy and Mineral Engineering graduate students are encouraged to design a course of study that suits their individual backgrounds, interests, and needs in consultation with their advisors. Therefore, the EME graduate program keeps the core program and option courses requirements to a minimum, leaving students with an array of elective courses to choose from, in consultation with their advisor and thesis committee, to meet the total credit requirements.
A visual representation of the process for obtaining M.S. and Ph.D. degrees can be viewed in the EME Graduate Program Flow Chart.
M.S. Degree Requirements
The required minimum number of total credits for the EME M.S. degree is 30, including six credits of research. Of the remaining 24 credits, six core program credits and eight option course credits are required. At least 18 of the required course credits for the graduate program must be at the 500 level. Students who choose not to select an option only need to meet the total credit and core program course requirements.
A thesis defense is required for the M.S. degree. Students select the thesis topic and together with their research advisor choose the most appropriate thesis committee. The thesis committee, consisting of the thesis advisor and at least two other graduate faculty members, will administer the final oral examination of the thesis. A majority of the committee shall be made up of faculty within the EME program.
Required Core Program Course for M.S. Degree
Required Specialty Option Courses for M.S. Degree
For a listing of the specialty option course requirements, please use the left-hand menu to visit the individual program option pages.
A visual representation of the M.S. degree requirements can be viewed in the EME M.S. Degree Course Requirements Flow Chart.
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
The required minimum number of total credits beyond the M.S. degree for the EME Ph.D. degree is 24, including 12 credits of research beyond the M.S. Of the remaining 12 credits, three core program credits and four option course credits are required. At least 18 of the required course credits for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees must be at the 500 level. Students who choose not to select an option only need to meet the total credit and core program course requirements. Because each thesis research problem is unique, the need for taking additional courses varies from student to student, and the student's thesis advisor and committee will make the final decision whether or not the additional courses should be part of a student's official course of study.
Required Core Program Course for Ph.D. Degree
- EME 500 - Energy and Mineral Project Investment Evaluation (3 credits)
Required Specialty Option Courses for Ph.D. Degree
For a listing of the specialty option course requirements, please use the left-hand menu to visit the individual program option pages.
A visual representation of the Ph.D. degree requirements can be viewed in the EME Ph.D. Degree Course Requirements Flow Chart.
Candidacy Examination
A Candidacy Examination is required for formal admission into the Ph.D. program. All Ph.D. students in the program must take the Candidacy Exam before completing the first year of studies.
English Competency Examination
All Ph.D. students, domestic and international, will undergo an assessment of English competency during their first year. The assessment will include the student's ability to read and comprehend technical literature, the ability to write well, the ability to make formal presentations and the ability to participate in scientific and technical discussions. The assessment will be conducted during the Ph.D. Candidacy Examination. Students must demonstrate English competency before scheduling the Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination. If the expected level of competency is not demonstrated, students will be required to take certain English courses to improve their skills.
Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination
A Comprehensive Examination is required of all doctoral candidates by the Graduate School. The examination in EME is primarily an oral examination, administered by the candidate's Ph.D. committee. The committee will consist of at least three faculty members in the EME Program and at least one faculty member in a related field (outside the department). The committee chair will ordinarily be the candidate's thesis advisor.
The examination takes place in two phases. First, the student will give an oral presentation on some aspect of his/her research topic, including objectives, methods, and current progress. The second phase will consist of questions by the committee to determine the candidate's ability to synthesize his/her knowledge, especially in his/her area of specialization, and apply the tools learned to the solution of relevant problems.
Ph.D. Thesis Defense
The final step to obtaining a doctoral degree is the Ph.D. Thesis Defense. This process consists of a written thesis and an oral defense administered by the Ph.D. committee. Upon successful completion of the defense, the student will submit the final version of the thesis to the Graduate School after obtaining the required signatures from the advisor, the Ph.D. committee and the EME graduate program officer.