- Program location: Main Campus of King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- Program Background: The graduate program that leads to the degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Mining Engineering was started in the academic year 2006-2007 (1428 H.). The program is designed to fulfil the needs of the Mining Industry in the Kingdom. It enables qualified engineers to pursue advanced studies in this field of top technology on full-time basis. This was intensified in late years by the Saudi Vision 2030 and the subsequent establishment of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, in addition to the regional and global orientation to enable and develop the mining sector. In addition to that, the number of undergraduate students in the mining engineering department has continuously increased on an annual rate of 25% over the last decade, resulting in an increased demand of graduates to join the program.
- Total Credit Hours: 36 credit hours, including 8 credit hours of Master Thesis.
Prepare specialized professional leaders who advance knowledge and understanding, drive innovation, and contribute to the resolution of complex national and global problems and challenges while behaving in ways that are consistent with Islamic values and beliefs and reflect high levels of loyalty, responsibility, and commitment to the sustainable development of the society.
- Provide robust support to the students, help them thrive at KAU, and prepare them for success after graduation.
- Support, motivate, and encourage creativity and innovation of the teaching staff and their commitment to the best practices in teaching strategies and assessment methods.
- Encourage faculty and students for ethical production of research and innovation and to improve their contribution to the areas of mining research that are globally relevant and of great importance to the Saudi society.
- Foster a culture of community engagement promoting community partnerships that enrich teaching, learning, research and creative activities, address critical societal issues, and contribute to the public good
Consistency of the program mission with the mission of the institution / college
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MSC MINE Program Mission: Prepare specialized professional leaders who advance knowledge and understanding, drive innovation, and contribute to the resolution of complex national and global problems and challenges while behaving in ways that are consistent with Islamic values and beliefs and reflect high levels of loyalty, responsibility, and commitment to the sustainable development of the society
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The institution (KAU) mission: Promoting society through pioneering education and research excellence.
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Faculty of Engineering mission: Prepare qualified engineers through education and training, and conduct high-class research to sustain and maintain development of the society.
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Elements of the program mission
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1. Enhance academic excellence
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2. Achieve research leadership
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3. Maximize community partnership
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4. Enabling institutional sustainability
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1. Provide high level Education and training
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2. conduct high-class research
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3. Sustain and maintain development of the society
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1. Leadership: Prepare professional leaders
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2. Research & Innovation
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3. National Identity and Globalization: contribute to the resolution of complex national and global problems and challenges.
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4. Community engagement
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5. Islamic ethical behaviour
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A List of the Program Achievements, Awards, and Significant Accomplishments
1. Some of the program faculty members have international cooperation with worldwide universities.
2. A faculty member in the program occupies a high-level management position in the faculty of Engineering at King Abdulaziz University.
3. More than 15 articles were published in the international journals of ISI and SCOUPS in 2021-2022.
4. The program faculty are performing well in Industrial Consultancy.
5. Some faculty members in the program are supervising the initiation of similar programs local and worldwide.
- Program Learning Outcomes
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Knowledge and Understanding
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K1
(PLO1)
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Demonstrate deep awareness of the knowledge body that is at the forefront of Mining Engineering disciplines as well as established research/inquiry techniques in the field. (PLO1)
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Skills
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S1
(PLO2)
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Identify, formulate, and solve complex mining engineering problems by providing creative solutions and making sound judgement in the absence of complete data relevant to the matters concerned. (PLO2)
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S2
(PLO3)
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Apply scientific research methodology and place the results in a broader context and critically evaluate their own and others' research. (PLO3)
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S3
(PLO4)
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Apply critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and advanced numerical and/or experimental tools to interpret scientific literature in mining engineering. (PLO4)
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S4
(PLO5)
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Demonstrate effective oral, written, and graphical communication skills to disseminate knowledge and analyze data using advanced information communication technology tools. (PLO5)
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Values
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V1
(PLO6)
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Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities, take full responsibility for their own independent learning, and behave in ways consistent with Islamic values and believes. (PLO6).
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V2
(PLO7)
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Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies, with high autonomy while collaborating with other whenever required. (PLO7)
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- Program Graduate Attributes
Graduates of the MS Programs in Mining engineering should:
1. Consistently respond to complex academic and professional issues, providing creative solutions and making sound judgments in the absence of complete data relevant to the matter concerned.
2. Act autonomously in tackling and solving both anticipated and unpredictable problems, cooperate with others, and provide leadership when appropriate in group situations.
3. Follow, and actively encourage others, to apply sound ethical and moral judgments in dealing with sensitive and complex issues that may involve difficult value conflicts.
4. Take full responsibility for their own independent learning and provide leadership in developing opportunities to support their own and others’ continuing professional development.
5. Behave in ways that are consistent with Islamic values and beliefs, and reflect high levels of loyalty, responsibility, and commitment to service to the Saudi mining sector.
1) The Applicant’s age doesn’t exceed (35) years For PhD, and (30) years for Masters.
2) The Applicant must have a university degree from an accredited college or university and should have a degree with “very good” at least.
3) An approved exam in English is required for applicant whose first language is not English. The approved exams and minimum required scores are listed below:
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Exams
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Scores
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TOEFL (PBT)
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500
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TOEFL (CBT)
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173
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TOEFL (IBT)
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61
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IELTS
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5
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(Please note that exams are valid for 2 years from date of exam)
4) He must have a record of good Conduct and must be medically fit.
5) He must not have been dismissed from any university in the kingdom.
Apply for Admission
International students should submit the (https://dgsscholarship.kau.edu.sa/Pages-fsdfs.aspx), for more detailed information, please read the instructions, admission requirements, required documents and transcripts, deadlines and more for your program choices before beginning your application.
Required Documents
1. Curriculum vitae for the applicant.
2. Statement of purpose must be in English for all programs except in Islamic Studies and Arabic Language.
3. A copy of graduation certificate (certified from Saudi Embassy).
4. A copy of transcript (certified from Saudi Embassy).
5. Recommendation letters should be submitted from two of his former professors.
6. A copy of a valid passport at least one year.
M.S. Program in the Department of Mining Engineering has many courses, including compulsory and elective, in the progressive program levels as well as the thesis with 36 credit hours as shown in the tables below:
Study Plan Structure
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Program Structure
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No. of Courses
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Credit Hours
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Percentage
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Course
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Required
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6
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16
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44.4%
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Elective
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4
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12
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33.3%
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Graduation Project (if any)
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|
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Thesis (if any)
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1
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8
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22.2%
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Field Experience(if any)
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|
|
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Others (.....)
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|
|
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Total
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11
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36
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100%
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Study Plan
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Level
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Course
Code
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Course Title
|
Required
or Elective
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Pre-Requisite
Courses
|
Credit
Hours
|
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Level 1
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MINE 630
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Analysis of Mining Systems
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Required
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-
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3
|
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MINE 631
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Mineral Processing Technology
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Required
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-
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3
|
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MINE 694
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Scientific Research Methods
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Required
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-
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3
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Level 2
|
MINE 633
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Advanced Rock Mechanics
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Required
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-
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3
|
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MINE 632
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Mine Planning Operations
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Required
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MINE 630
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3
|
|
MINE 695
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Seminar
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Required
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-
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1
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Level 3
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MINE 640
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Evaluation of Mining Projects
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
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MINE 641
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Ores Concentration by Flotation
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
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MINE 642
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Ores Concentration by Gravity
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
|
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MINE 643
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Separation Processes in Hydrometallurgy
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
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MINE 644
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Rock Slope Engineering
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
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MINE 645
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Advanced Drilling and Blasting
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
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MINE 646
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Reliability of Mining Systems
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
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MINE 647
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Environmental Management in Mining
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
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MINE 648
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Mine Backfill Technology
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
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MINE 649
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Advanced Orebody Modelling
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
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MINE 696
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Special Topics
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
|
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CE 630
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Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
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CE 633
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Stability of Slopes
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Elective
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Advisors’ Approval
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3
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Level 4
|
MINE 699
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MS Thesis
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Required
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Department’s Approval
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8
|
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Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
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3
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Analysis of Mining Systems
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MINE 630
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Topics:
Analysis of exploration, mining, and metallurgy systems using statistical techniques, Linear Programming, integer Linear Programming, and nonlinear programming in mining, transportation and assignment problems and mining opex, Network techniques in mining systems, Decision analysis, queuing, and Markov Chains in mining systems
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|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
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3
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Mineral Processing Technology
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MINE 631
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Topics:
Methods of physical and chemical characterization of ores, Methods of Mineral Physical Separation and equipment used
Thickening and filtration, Flowsheets for the beneficiation of ores and industrial rocks.
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|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
MINE 630
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3
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Mine Planning Operations
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MINE 632
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Topics:
Technical aspects of mining and their relations optimal mine plans, key factors for creating values as part of the strategic mine planning process; with study of alternative mine plans; Difference between the mining industry and other industries in terms of value creation; programming techniques and mine performance optimization; Mine closure planning
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Prerequisite
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Credits
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Course Title
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Course Code
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None
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3
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Advanced Rock Mechanics
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MINE 633
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Topics:
In-situ stresses and strains and their different measurement techniques; The different rock failure criteria;
Load-deformation behavior of rock; Measurement and monitoring techniques in rock mechanics; Designing techniques such as numerical modeling, empirical models, etc.
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Prerequisite
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Credits
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Course Title
|
Course Code
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|
None
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3
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Evaluation of Mining Projects
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MINE 640
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Topics:
Cost estimation and engineering economy concepts applied to geo-resources extractive projects, economic and engineering evaluation of geo-resources extractive projects, Cash flow in production driven projects, Risk management and commodity price forecasting, Escalated and constant dollars value, Depreciation, depletion, amortization and after-tax cash flow, Project profitability using the suitable economical indices (NPV, IRR, PBB, etc), Economic sensitivity analysis.
|
|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
|
3
|
Ores Concentration by Flotation
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MINE 641
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Topics:
Introduction to flotation and preparation of ores for separation by flotation, Recent trends in minerals flotation
Flotation reagents. Water-flotation reagents phase diagram and system chemistry, Flotation of water insoluble and sparingly solube ores, Flotation equipment (Hallimond tube, flotation cells and flotation column), kinematics of flotation process, Flotation circuits and their design, Environmental impact of mineral separation by flotation.
|
|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
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Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
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3
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Ores concentration by Gravity
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MINE 642
|
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Topics:
The mineralogical examination of the ore-determination of the liberation size and percentage of liberation, The movement of particles in fluid-method of separation using different classification units, Method of separation using hydrocyclones
separation methods using the tables units-method of separation using jigs, method of separation using humphry spiral, Flowsheets for minerals separation by gravity
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|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
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3
|
Separation Processes in Hydrometallurgy
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MINE 643
|
|
Topics:
Separation of metal ions in solution by chemical processes, Concentrating on solvent extraction, Ion exchange, Precipitation and carbon adsorption processes, Extraction and recovery of metals by electrolysis, Purification and recovery of metals by precipitation, The design of solvent extraction, ion exchange and leaching circuits
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|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
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Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
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3
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Rock Slope Engineering
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MINE 644
|
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Topics:
Principles of rock slope design, Types of slope failure, Structural geology and data interpretation, Site investigation and geological data collection, Rock strength properties and their measurement, hydrological factors, Slope stability tools and techniques, Monitoring and maintenance of final pit slopes
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|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
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Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
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3
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Advanced Drilling and Blasting
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MINE 645
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|
Topics:
Principles of rock breakage mechanism, Drilling mechanism, Theories of rock penetration including percussion, rotary, and rotary percussion drilling, Rock fragmentation influence parameters, Different techniques for rock fragmentation measurement, Ground vibration effects on structure, Trigger factors for ground vibration, Ground vibration measurement techniques
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|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
|
3
|
Reliability of Mining Systems
|
MINE 646
|
|
Topics:
Reliability data, Probability and statistics for reliability analysis, Failure models, Parameter estimation methods, Acceleration models, System reliability, Design of experiment - case studies
|
|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
|
3
|
Environmental Management in Mining
|
MINE 647
|
|
Topics:
Environmental impacts during mining activities and processing of ores, Mitigation strategies, Environmental management plans, Triple bottom line approach for environmental management plans formulation, Risks and uncertainties when developing environmental management plans.
|
|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
|
3
|
Mine Backfill Technology
|
MINE 648
|
|
Topics:
Overview of mine backfill, Backfill design, Backfill quailty control, Mechanical properties of mine backfill, Backfill binders, Case study.
|
|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
|
3
|
Advanced Orebody Modelling
|
MINE 649
|
|
Topics:
Applications of orebody modelling, Assessment of geological data, Evaluation of geological information and mineralization in 3D, Techniques for resource estimation, New development in orebody modelling
|
|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
|
3
|
Scientific Research Methods
|
MINE 694
|
|
Topics:
Introduction to research, The role of research, research process overview, Literature review, Problems and Hypotheses
Defining the research problem, Formulation of the research hypotheses, The importance of problems and hypotheses, Methods of data collection, Processing and analysis of data, Ethical issues in conducting research, Report writing, format – Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, References, and Appendices, Scientific publishing.
|
|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
|
1
|
Seminar
|
MINE 695
|
|
Topics:
The topics will be any aspect of the mining engineering sciences and must be approved by the instructor in advance. Unless cleared with instructor, students should not give a presentation similar to one they have delivered in another class. Each student will receive feedback from the fellow students and the instructor.
|
|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
|
3
|
Special Topics
|
MINE 696
|
|
Advanced topics are selected from mining engineering. Contents of the course will be provided in detail one semester before its offering. Approval of the Departmental Graduate Committee must be secured before offering this course.
|
|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
|
3 Units
|
Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
|
CE 630
|
|
Topics:
Stress-strain relationships; consolidation theory and secondary consolidation; elastic deformation; creep; stress relaxation and thixotropic; shear strength of cohesion less and cohesive soils; drained and undrained conditions; stress path and plastic equilibrium
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Course Description
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
|
|
3 Units
|
Stability of Slopes
|
CE 632
|
|
|
Topics:
Selection of strength parameters, types of slope failures, stability analysis of slopes in homogenous and heterogeneous soils rocks, stability analysis with seepage pressure, stability of embankment dams: stability charts: multilayered systems, infinite slopes; submerged slopes; tension cracks; remedial measures of stability control; slope stability under seismic loading; applications of earth dams; computer programs of slope stability analysis
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Course Description
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prerequisite
|
Credits
|
Course Title
|
Course Code
|
|
None
|
8
|
Master Thesis
|
MINE 699
|
|
Topics:
The student prepares the thesis in one of the modern topics in the field of specialization
|
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Number of Students
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Two Years Ago
(2020-2021)
|
Last Year
(2021-2022)
|
Current Year (2022-2023)
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Expected
Next Year
(2023-2024)
|
|
Proposed Number of Enrolled Students
|
Male
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
|
Female
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Total
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
|
Total number of Enrolled Students
|
Male
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
8
|
|
Female
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Total
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
8
|
|
Number of Enrolled International Students
|
Male
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
|
Female
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Total
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
|
Average Class Size
|
Male
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
Female
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Total
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
Ratio of Students to Teaching Staff
|
Male
|
1:2
|
1:2
|
1:2
|
1:1
|
|
Female
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
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1:2
|
1:2
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1:2
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1:1
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For quality assurance and continuous improvement purposes, the program considers its Alumni as one of the main stakeholders. It has the Alumni, Industrial Relations, and Training committee. The committee members are faculty members from the department who are annually updated. The duties of this committee is presented in the table below. It is clear that among the duties of the committee is to keep strong ties between the program and its Alumni.
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No.
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Committee
|
Duties & Responsibilities
|
|
2
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Alumni, Industrial Relations , and Training
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- Establish and update the database for department graduate.
- Keep regular contacts with alumni, including invitations to major department’s events (conferences, Career Day, seminars, etc.).
- Advise graduating students on career opportunities and advertise job fairs organized by industry on the campus.
- Manage and strengthen the department's relationship with the industry.
- Manage and arrange for Departmental Industrial Advisory Board meetings.
- Collect and analyze feedback from alumni, employers, and advisory board for the evaluation of the Program Outcomes and Learning Objectives.
- Supervise students’ summer training and co-op option.
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