Subsurface Graduate Programs

Graduate programs at Colorado School of Mines are exploring new frontiers underground.

Subsurface Graduate Programs

Graduate programs at Colorado School of Mines are exploring new frontiers underground.

Colorado School of Mines’ innovative subsurface graduate programs build on the university’s long and storied history of research and education underground. Starting with its traditional strengths in mining and metallurgy, Mines has expanded its expertise to include sustainability and reclamation, groundwater, robotics in mining, tunneling and the extraction of resources in space.

Mines faculty and graduate students are leading the way in this exciting frontier.

  • Learn from world-renowned faculty
  • Benefit from an extended network of industry connections
  • Enjoy metropolitan Denver and the great outdoors
  • July 1 deadline

Programs

PROGRAMMASTER'SPHDCERTIFICATE
Earth Resources Development Engineering

Develop skills and expertise in emerging technical and social issues in mining, including sustainability, reclamation, Earth observation, modeling and more

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Geochemistry

Learn about the chemistry of the Earth's crust and mantle and energy and mineral resources, the effects of human activities and more for industrial and research applications

XX
Geology and Geological Engineering

Numerous degree options for a variety of applications, including groundwater, geotechnics, mining engineering, petroleum or mineral exploration and environmental studies.

XX
Geophysics and Geophysical Engineering

Traditional, research-oriented and non-thesis education programs for meeting specific career objectives, including new degrees in hydrogeophysics and humanitarian geophysics

XX
Mining Engineering

Top-rated, world-renowned programs that prepare students for a number of mining-related fields.

XX
Hydrologic Science and Engineering

Top faculty from various departments make students ready to address the world's most pressing water challenges.

XX
Space Resources

This first-in-the-world program will prepare scientists, engineers, economists, entrepreneurs and policymakers to build the infrastructure of a space economy.

XXX
Underground Construction and Tunneling

Amid growing urbanization is increased demand for engineers with the combined skills and knowledge in civil, geological and mining engineering, among other fields

XX
  • Earth Resources Development Engineering
    Master’s, PhD
    Develop skills and expertise in emerging technical and social issues in mining, including sustainability, reclamation, Earth observation, modeling and more
  • Geochemistry
    Master’s, Professional Master’s, PhD
    Learn about the chemistry of the Earth’s crust and mantle and energy and mineral resources, the effects of human activities and more for industrial and research applications
  • Geology and Geological Engineering
    Master’s, Professional Master’s, PhD
    Numerous degree options for a variety of applications, including groundwater, geotechnics, mining engineering, petroleum or mineral exploration and environmental studies.
  • Geophysics and Geophysical Engineering
    Master’s, PhD
    Traditional, research-oriented and non-thesis education programs for meeting specific career objectives, including new degrees in hydrogeophysics and humanitarian geophysics
  • Mining Engineering
    Master’s, PhD
    Top-rated, world-renowned programs that prepare students for a number of mining-related fields.
  • Hydrologic Science and Engineering
    Master’s, PhD
    Top faculty from various departments make students ready to address the world’s most pressing water challenges.
  • Space Resources
    Master’s, PhD, Certificate
    This first-in-the-world program prepares scientists, engineers, economists, entrepreneurs and policymakers to build the infrastructure of a space economy
  • Underground Construction and Tunneling
    Master’s, PhD
    Amid growing urbanization is increased demand for engineers with the combined skills and knowledge in civil, geological and mining engineering, among other fields

Founded in 1874, Colorado School of Mines is a world-renowned public research university focused on science and engineering, where students and faculty together address the great challenges society faces today—particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Students from 80 countries are enrolled in more than 40 graduate programs and 17 undergraduate majors on campus in Golden, Colorado, as well as online.

Mines Facts

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No. 1 mineral and mining engineering program, QS World University Rankings

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The only graduate program in underground construction and tunnel engineering in North America

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Edgar Experimental Mine provides experiential education

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Mines Space Resources program is the first of its kind in the world

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Home to the only Underground Construction Association local chapter in the U.S.

Learn More

Contact us to receive more information about graduate programs at Colorado School of Mines.

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Videos

The Graduate Experience at Mines

Mines and the Lunar Outpost

Subsurface Frontiers

Students Say

Josef Bourgeois“The Mining Engineering faculty is incredible. I’ve gotten a lot of great hands-on experience with unique excavation equipment and it’s helping me learn how to think on my feet. Also, being at Mines is opening me up to job opportunities I would not have if I were at other programs.”

Josef Bourgeois
PhD Candidate, Mining Engineering

Wei Hu“Earth-related science and engineering programs are still the core of what Mines can offer. Among them, tunneling is one of the most dynamic programs. It is also the trend of infrastructure construction in the years to come.”

Wei Hu
PhD Candidate, Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering

About Mines

One of the World's Best, in Golden

Mines offers opportunities to engineer solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, in a setting that’s hard to beat

Focused on Your Future

We are among the top universities in the U.S. for return on investment, immediately after graduation and decades into the future

A Unique Name for a Unique University

Mines has always been a bit different, so if you’re excited to do something new and big, we should be on your list