Undergraduate - CourseBachelor of Mining Engineering (Honours)

This course is concerned with extracting and processing ores from the earth. It requires the use of mathematics, computer applications, physical sciences including geoscience, and economics to be able to manage mining operations from exploration to the final processing stage.

The course covers mine design and operation, both surface and underground, ventilation systems, mineral processing, mine feasibility and environmental aspects. This requires a wide range of skills relating to technology, finance, people and the environment. The emphasis of the course is on sustainable development so that the environmental footprint of mining is minimised.

Mining engineers work with a wide range of people, both professional and non- professional. Good communication skills are therefore essential.

The course is a combination of theory and practice, is essentially problem-based, and has significant input from the mining sector.

Graduates from this course are expected to be able to:

• understand and proficiently apply the relevant sciences and scientific methods to mining engineering practice, to design solutions to complex problems
• identify and critically appraise the principles of the management of physical, human and financial resources associated with the practice of mining engineering
• identify and synthesise the constraints posed by economic factors, safety considerations and environmental impacts on mining engineering practice and use them to inform professional judgements
• determine, analyse and proficiently apply theoretical and numerical analysis of phenomena to predict, design, control and optimise the performance of mine systems
• research, identify, conceptualise, investigate, and interpret knowledge from different areas to synthesise a coherent approach to the solution of mining engineering problems or design of a mine project
• understand and critically evaluate the performance of a mining engineering system in terms of economics, safety and the environment, and implement approaches to minimise any adverse impact on the environment (physical, social and economic) leading to sustainable development
• critically evaluate assumptions and arguments
• recognise the need for, and implement, continuous change to improve outcomes
• develop and implement creative approaches to problem solving, including the use of computer based methods
• communicate effectively on both technical and general issues with peers, associates, clients and the general public
• function as an effective individual or as part of a team
• plan, organise and use resources efficiently
• demonstrate the highest standards of personal performance
• demonstrate commitment to self directed learning for continuing education
• understand the responsibilities of mining engineers to the community, the engineering profession and the industrial and business world
• demonstrate commitment to ethical standards and legal responsibilities to the community and the profession.

Vacation work/industrial experience

The Faculty of Engineering strongly recommends that all undergraduate students enrolled in four, five and six year engineering single or double degrees complete 12 weeks of engineering vacation employment. Vacation employment is an integral part of student development, and is an excellent avenue to prepare for future engineering careers by gaining experience in an industrial setting and establishing industry networks.

Refer to the Faculty of Engineering's Professional recognition of coursesProfessional recognition of courses (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/undergrad/eng-03.html) page in this Handbook.

This course consists of core and elective units, and foundation units if required.

Level one includes the basic sciences such as mathematics, physics and chemistry, combined with one introductory mining engineering unit.

The core discipline areas of mining engineering include field geology, mineral processing, environmental change and resource estimation, mining systems/planning, coal mine/hard rock/mine design, geotechnics, geoengineering and geoscience. In each of these areas, the course has a unit that lays the foundations of the discipline at level two, followed by an advanced unit that provides a significant engineering practice component at level three.

At level four the orientation is towards professional and project-based units.

The award of an honours grade in engineering is based on academic achievement.

Refer to the course mapcourse map (http://www.eng.monash.edu.au/current-students/course-map.html) for guidance on how to plan your unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Students must complete:

• CIV2206 Mechanics of solids
• CIV2242 Geomechanics 1
• CIV2263 Water systems
• ENE3608 Environmental impact assessment and management systems
• ENG1001 Engineering design: Lighter, faster, stronger
• ENG1002 Engineering design: Cleaner, safer, smarter
• ENG1003 Engineering mobile apps
• ENG1060 Computing for engineers
• ENG1091 Mathematics for engineering
• ENG2091 Advanced engineering mathematics A
• ESC1011 Planet Earth: Our place in the universe
• ESC2111 The dynamic Earth I: Mountain belts and basins
• MNE1010 Introduction to mining
• MNE2010 Mine power and drainage
• MNE3010 Rock mechanics
• MNE3020 Mine systems planning
• MNE3030 Mine ventilation
• MNE3040 Surface mining systems
• MNE3050 Underground mining systems
• MNE3060 Drilling and blasting
• MNE4010 Coal mine design
• MNE4020 Hard rock mine design and feasibility project
• MNE4030 Mine management and economics
• MNE4040 Mineral processing
• MNE4050 Mining research project I
• MNE4060 Mining research project II, or MNE4070 Mining research project III
• 6-point foundation unit, or level 1 or 2 elective
• 6-point foundation unit, or level 1 or 2 elective
• 6-point level-one elective
• 18 points of level 3-4 electives

Foundation units

The large majority of students entering the faculty have completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), and references in the following paragraphs are to the prerequisite VCE subjects. Some domestic and international students enter the faculty with equivalent qualifications, and advice about unit choice for students with qualifications other than the VCE may be obtained from the faculty administration offices. Foundation units are required for students who have not completed appropriate VCE studies.

Students who have not completed VCE units 3 and 4 of Chemistry or Physics and/or Specialist mathematics are required to select one or two appropriate foundation units(s):

• ENG1070 Foundation chemistry
• ENG1090 Foundation mathematics
• PHS1080 Foundation physics

Level-one electives

• CHM1011 Chemistry I
• ENE1621 Environmental engineering
• ENG1003 Engineering mobile apps
• ENG1021 Spatial communication in engineering
• ENG1051 Materials for energy and sustainability
• ENG1071 Chemistry for engineering
• ENG1081 Physics for engineering
• ESC1022 Planet earth: Dynamic systems; environmental change and resources

Level-two electives

• CIV2207 Computing and water systems modelling
• ESC1022 Planet earth: Dynamic systems: environmental change and resources
• ESC2122 The dynamic Earth II: Global processes*

* This unit is required as a prerequisite for students planning to enrol in the level three elective unit ESC3162 (Ore deposit geology and global metallogeny)

Level 3-4 electives

• CIV3204 Engineering investigation
• CIV3248 Groundwater and environmental geomechanics
• CIV4248 Ground hazards engineering
• ESC3162 Ore deposit geology and global metallogeny*
• ESC3190 Hydrogeology and environmental geoscience
• ESC3201 Deformation and metamorphism of the crust**
• MNE4110 Advanced mine ventilation
• MNE4120 Mining asset management and services
• MNE4130 Mine disaster, rescue and recovery
• MNE4xxx Mine health and safety

* Requires ESC2111 and ESC2122 (level two elective) as prerequisites.

** Recommended elective (by School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Faculty of Science).

Bachelor of Mining Engineering (Honours)