News Certificates in Mining EngineeringMining is an important industry that uses advanced technologies, providing the raw materials and energy resources needed to sustain our standard of living.
The global minerals industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. And with that growth comes a pressing need for engineering professionals who are committed to high standards and are prepared to handle the important health, safety, and environmental issues facing this critical industry. Mineral industry professionals use their knowledge of engineering, geology, and mining to solve complex problems associated with the safe extraction of resources from the earth. Engineers and scientists explore for valuable resources, design surface and underground mining operations, and reclaim sites when operations cease. They help to enhance the health and safety of these operations and diminish potential environmental impacts. Pennsylvania is home to large, state-of-the-art mines; government research laboratories; and suppliers where new mining technologies and work practices are continually being developed and refined. While these companies and laboratories offer exciting, high-paying jobs for talented professionals, they have had difficulty finding professionals with a background in mining engineering. To address this issue, the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh has created a Certificate in Mining Engineering for undergraduates and graduates. These programs are designed for current engineering and science students within the Swanson School of Engineering and for professionals with science and engineering degrees already working in the mining industry. Developed in consultation with mining industry stakeholders, these programs prepare engineering and science graduates to excel in a field ripe for growth and critical for meeting societal needs.
Who Should Apply?The Certificate in Mining Engineering is geared toward undergraduates,
postbaccalaureate The certificate will provide students with:
Moving Your Career ForwardThink of the Certificate in Mining Engineering as a means of accelerating your career in a fraction of the time it would take to earn a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline. Pennsylvania law requires various levels of work experience before candidates may take mine certification exams. If you attain a civil, mechanical, or industrial engineering degree, the commonwealth’s Bureau of Mine Safety has approved the Swanson School’s Certificate in Mining Engineering to count as one year’s time toward that experience—the same credit earned by graduates with mining engineering degrees. Even if you already are employed in the field, fitting the certificate into your schedule is easier than you think. Candidates who choose the postbaccaluareate certificate program take five courses, most of which are offered through the University’s distance learning option to accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals. The program also offers the opportunity for visits to active mining and research sites in Western Pennsylvania, including operating underground coal and stone mines, the Joy Mining Machinery facility, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Health and Safety Research Laboratory. How to ApplyThe Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering manages the Certificate in Mining Engineering under the direction of Anthony Iannacchione. Iannacchione earned his doctorate in civil engineering and has more than 30 years of experience in the minerals industry conducting health, safety, and environmental research with the U.S. Bureau of Mines and NIOSH. Additional faculty include recognized experts from the mining industry. To inquire about the program, please visit the Swanson School Web site at www.engr.pitt.edu or the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Web site at www.engr.pitt.edu/civil/programs/mining. To speak with someone directly, please contact: Anthony Iannacchione, Ph.D., P.E., P.G. |
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