The MP-MIM is comprised of 12 courses and one independent project for a total of 33 credit hours. Students are able to take the courses sequentially as a cohort and manage the program in a two-and-a-half-year period. All courses are either two or three credits, with two-credit courses being 6 weeks and three-credit courses being 8 weeks in duration. Two courses are taken in series each fall and spring semester and another course in the latter term of the summer semester. The independent project is generally done concurrently with the final three courses of the program. It is highly recommended that students take each course consecutively in the prescribed sequence with their cohort, but there can be some flexibility for students whose work or circumstances change or whose depth of experience in some areas of mining would make a substitute online course of greater value.

The program will build on the student’s existing mining and engineering knowledge and broaden their perspectives regarding current and future mining best practice. This will better prepare them for career advancement including roles in senior and executive management with critical financial responsibility, as well as technical leadership and innovation.

Requirements for admission into the program include:

• A Bachelors of Science relevant to the mining industry. Admission verification will require one (1) official copy of transcripts from all universities/colleges you have attended to verify your degree.
• A Statement of Purpose letter. This letter introduces you to the Graduate Admissions Review Committee and presents your professional and personal goals and why you believe the Colorado School of Mines is the best place for you to achieve those goals.
• Verification of mining sector experience. A letter from your current or former employer(s) verifying at least five (5) years of professional employment in the mining sector is required.
• Letters of recommendation. Three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of your academic and/or professional capabilities must be submitted directly to Mines through the online application system or by email to credentials@mines.edu.
• Evidence of mastery of English. Results of a TOEFL (or equivalent) examination is required, if English is not your native language. Please refer to the following website for details: https://www.mines.edu/graduate-admissions/international-applicants/
• A current resumé. Your resumé should explain the nature, extent and duration of your relevant work experience in the mining sector.

Note that a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission into the MP-MIM program.

The following table identifies the three topical areas addressed by the MP-MIM and the course titles, credit hours, and learning outcome summaries within each topical area. The percentage weighting of the credit hours devoted to each topical area is also indicated.

Table 1: MP-MIM Required Curriculum and Learning Outcomes

The instruction of each course will incorporate the following organizational elements that cut across all courses in the program:

• State of the current practice (strengths/weaknesses)
• Risks and uncertainties (threats)
• Innovations and trends (opportunities)

The following disciplines crosscut into every course in the MP-MIM program to some level.  Students will see these reoccurring themes in every course of the MP-MIM program to a degree that is appropriate to the course being taught:

• Project life-cycle planning and closure
• Project management
• Information systems and data management
• Social and environmental responsibility
• Health and safety
• Water and waste management

The catalog descriptions for the 12 courses and independent project follow:

MNGN 546 (2 credit hours) MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY
This course focuses on channeling behaviors into a culture of safety and health consciousness, which is a significant management challenge, particularly in the developing world. The topics include: 1) organizational culture and behavior management, 2) strategic safety planning, 3) hazard recognition, 4) root cause analysis, 5) incident management and emergency preparedness, and 6) training programs. Learning emphasis will be balanced among fundamentals, future trends and risk, depending on the specific discussion topic. The frequency of training and refresher programs throughout the project life cycle will be addressed. The importance of a health and safety culture transcending the workplace through mine employees into their families, neighbors and communities will also be discussed. This is exclusively an online course that is cohort-based with limited enrollment. It is offered specifically for the Professional Masters – Mining Engineering and Management Program.

MNGN 547 (3 credit hours) GEOLOGY AND MINING
This course focuses on how ore deposit geology, structure, resource assessment and geochemistry are inextricably linked to major project decisions and cost control regarding mining methods and water management. The course emphasizes fundamentals of exploration, geo-system characterization, and the risks associated with failure to integrate these aspects into decision-making. Major topics include: 1) ore genesis, 2) exploration methods, 3) geostatistics and resource development, 4) geologic hazards, 5) geochemistry and geo-environmental considerations, 6) groundwater (further addressed in Water, Waste and Mine Closure course), and 7) geologic factors for consideration in mine design. The importance and cost efficiency of collecting and managing data concurrent with its generation will be emphasized. This is exclusively an online course that is cohort-based with limited enrollment. It is offered specifically for the Professional Masters – Mining Engineering and Management Program.

MNGN 548 (3 credit hours) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR MINING SYSTEMS
This course will focus on the role of information technologies (IT) for specific mining systems in the mine life cycle. We will look at various data sources and acquisition methods like internet-of-things, crowdsourcing, and blockchain. Management of data is the principal function of IT, so we will look at the main features and functions of a database management system (DBMS). Due to the exponential growth of unstructured data, the integration of structured data sets managed in a DBMS with big data infrastructures, which are mainly unstructured, will be another focus of the course. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will be introduced for managing spatial and tabular data. Advancements in sensor technologies allow many remote sensing (RS) products to be integrated with GIS in various mining systems. The fundamental principles of design visualizations will also be explored. The IT in various full/semi-autonomous mining systems will be covered, and since these systems require working with different external and internal systems, we will analyze the methods of interoperability and related infrastructures as well. Finally, we will identify cybersecurity issues related to autonomous mining systems and future trends. This is exclusively an online course that is cohort-based with limited enrollment. It is offered specifically for the Professional Masters – Mining Engineering and Management Program.

MNGN 551 (2 credit hours) MINE ACCOUNTING
Accounting is the process of recording past business transactions in terms of the company’s relevant currency. Financial analysis is a process of using accounting information to gain insights into a company’s financial position, performance and prospects. This course focuses on building the accounting and financial knowledge and skills to allow students to effectively participate in a company’s decision-making, financial and overall management processes. It concentrates on important management and business aspects of accounting and financial analysis. The overall objective is not to make students accountants or financial experts, but to make them better managers and leaders by developing practical knowledge and abilities to interpret financial statements, evaluate a company’s competitive position from the financial perspective, and understand the financial implications of business decisions. This is exclusively an online course that is cohort-based with limited enrollment. It is offered specifically for the Professional Masters – Mining Engineering and Management Program.

MNGN 553 (3 credit hours) MINE DESIGN AND OPERATIONS PLANNING
This course provides an overview of mine design and operations fundamentals that focuses on future trends and considers where the industry will be in the next decade(s). Topics give an over-arching significance to social, environmental, health and safety considerations in traditional design and operations decision-making. Principal topics will include 1) mining methods and planning, 2) production scheduling and optimization, 3) robotics and automation, 4) equipment capabilities and selection processes, 5) mine ventilation, 6) rock mechanics and ground control, and 7) waste disposal (high level, further addressed in Water, Waste and Mine Closure course). Project life cycle and sustainability principles will be applied throughout the course content. This is exclusively an online course that is cohort-based with limited enrollment. It is offered specifically for the Professional Masters – Mining Engineering and Management Program.

MNGN 554 (2 credit hours) MINE FINANCE
This course describes the corporate finance principles applicable to the mining industry. It addresses the practical application of these principles to a level of detail appropriate for a manager or executive to understand what it takes to raise money in the international marketplace sufficient to finance a corporate entity and/or a specific mining project. Topics include: 1) financial management and financial analysis, 2) financial planning and financial modeling, 3) financial valuation, 4) capital budgeting and cost of capital, 5) cash and asset management, and 6) capital structure and raising capital. Application of finance principles throughout the project life cycle is addressed as well as regulatory aspects, financial analysis, reporting and shareholder programs. This is exclusively an online course that is cohort-based with limited enrollment. It is offered specifically for the Professional Masters – Mining Engineering and Management Program.

MNGN 555 (3 credit hours) MINE INVESTMENT EVALUATION
This course discusses the elements, methods and analyses required to evaluate the viability and robustness of a mining project. Current practices for introducing the uncertain nature of most of the important variables in an investment analysis are addressed. While future trends and risks will be covered, course emphasis will be on the fundamentals of determining the feasibility of a project and the elements contained in a robust financial model to demonstrate that feasibility. Topics include: 1) laws and security exchange expectations for publicly disclosed documents, 2) feasibility study content, 3) responsibilities of the Qualified Person, 4) capital and operating cost estimation, 5) accruals and taxes, 6) financial analysis and cash flow modeling, 7) sensitivity analysis, and 8) public reporting. This is exclusively an online course that is cohort-based with limited enrollment. It is offered specifically for the Professional Masters – Mining Engineering and Management Program.

MNGN 557 (2 credit hours) MINERAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY
This course is designed to help students learn some of the basic economic principles that will help them better understand mineral commodity market behavior and the important factors that drive mineral supply, demand, prices and other market elements. The course is designed to help you build the economic, market and policy knowledge and skills to effectively participate in a company’s decision-making and strategic management discussions. It concentrates on the economic factors and principles that mine managers and executives need to recognize, analyze and deal with in order to position their company for long-term success in volatile commodity markets. The overall objective of this course is to make students better managers and leaders by developing a practical understanding of the commodity markets in which they will deal. It will also give them a deeper knowledge of government’s perspective and role in the mineral industry. This is exclusively an online course that is cohort-based with limited enrollment. It is offered specifically for the Professional Masters – Mining Engineering and Management Program.

MNGN 558 (3 credit hours) MINERAL PROCESSING
This course addresses the fundamentals for developing an appropriate and cost-efficient mineral process for a given ore type and the risks that factor into deploying the selected process. Consideration will be given for the need to demonstrate a proven and robust process to potential investors (a “bankable” process). Topics will include 1) unit operations and material handling, 2) sampling techniques specific to process considerations, 3) material testing and data organization and management, 4) water and energy considerations, 5) mill design and development (concept through construction), and 6) process waste disposal (high level, further addressed in Water, Waste and Mine Closure course). Timing of process design within the project life cycle will be addressed. This is exclusively an online course that is cohort-based with limited enrollment. It is offered specifically for the Professional Masters – Mining Engineering and Management Program.

MNGN 561 (3 credit hours) PROJECT MANAGEMENT
This course addresses the many aspects of business and project management. As the business environment changes, mine managers and executives face competing pressures to deliver both profits and effective social, environmental and economic results. Leadership is a fundamental tool for the effective executive. While a solid base of technical and operational skills is required, they must also engage a workforce, build and retain employees and seize opportunities for growth and development. While the course will address future trends and risks, emphasis will be on the fundamentals of effective business and project management. Topics include: 1) leadership, 2) project planning and controls, 3) quality assurance, 4) business process improvement, 5) risk assessment techniques, 6) personnel management and 7) conflict resolution. Because the leadership role is one that goes beyond the workplace, the course will explore the project manager’s role in communications and supporting sustainable investments. This is exclusively an online course that is cohort-based with limited enrollment. It is offered specifically for the Professional Masters – Mining Engineering and Management Program.

MNGN 562 (2 credit hours) MINING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
This course explores the fundamentals of, and to the extent relevant, the future trends in building environmentally and socially responsible mining projects in the context of the project life cycle. Emphasis will be on 1) host country and international industry regulatory expectations and good practice; 2) communication strategies, stakeholder engagement, and building community support; 3) mining project screening and scoping, 4) characterization of environmental and social media; 5) predicting project-induced environmental and social impacts and identifying plausible mitigating actions to reduce adverse impacts to acceptable levels and enhance project benefits; and 6) developing and implementing effective social and environmental management systems. Course emphasis will be on executing these fundamentals adequately and in a culturally appropriate manner, and on the risk to project continuity and corporate reputation, if these fundamentals are mishandled. This is exclusively an online course that is cohort-based with limited enrollment. It is offered specifically for the Professional Masters – Mining Engineering and Management Program.

MNGN 563 (3 credit hours) WATER, WASTE, AND MINE CLOSURE
This course addresses three disciplines that are critically important to a successful and sustainable mining project. Beyond the ore deposit, water is essential for all mining projects. Supplies must be balanced among local and regional water users. Mining and processing waste typically require large storage areas for their disposal and often have the potential to adversely impact receiving surface water and groundwater resources. Closure and reclamation is one phase of the mine life cycle and constitutes a significant mitigating action and cost to mining projects. The course will address fundamentals and future trends, but significant emphasis will be placed on the environmental, social, and cost control risks. Topics covered include: 1) water supply, disposal and treatment, 2) site-wide water management, 3) mine waste rock management, 4) process waste and tailings management, 5) solid, hazardous and medical waste minimization, recycling and disposal, 6) closure design (conceptual to construction-ready), 7) surety estimation and available surety instruments, and 8) post-closure elements including monitoring, maintenance, retrenchment, close-out costs and surety release. The importance of effective water and waste management practices, as well as integrating closure planning techniques into engineering designs, will be stressed throughout the project life cycle. This is exclusively an online course that is cohort-based with limited enrollment. It is offered specifically for the Professional Masters – Mining Engineering and Management Program.

MNGN 599 (2 credit hours) INDEPENDENT PROJECT
This course provides the student that opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge gained from the MP-MEM courses to a real-world project in the mining industry. The student and instructor collaborate on the scope of the project, and when approved, work can commence starting during the final three courses in the program. Successful projects will focus on solving problems relevant to the student’s work responsibility or to the greater mining industry. A practical, yet structured, approach will be taken to identify a need, propose tasks to address the need, and allocate resources to provide a solution. The student’s work product will be presented in a formal report for approval by corporate management.

1. Is the MP-MIM Program fully accredited now?
   The degree and courses were approved by the University and the Mines’ Board of Trustees in February 2017. Mines, however, experienced an unexpected delay in receiving approval to offer online degrees from our regional accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It was not the MP-MIM Program that required action, it was the online mode of delivery that required approval. The approval for distance education courses and programs was received on June 22, 2020.
2. What do you mean by the MP-MIM being a cohort-driven Program?
   According to yourdictionary.com, a cohort is “a group of people who have come together in support of a common cause, or a group of people who share a common characteristic.” For the MP-MIM, when students are accepted into the Program, they comprise a cohort, or group, who will take the entire sequence of courses together over the next two years.
3. When can I start the MP-MIM Program?
   The MP-MIM Program will launch cohorts at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters starting in August 2020 according to the Mines academic calendar (https://catalog.mines.edu/calendar/). Cohorts will continue to launch each Fall and Spring going forward according to student demand.
4. What documentation do I need to include to support my application for admission into the MP-MIM Program?
   You will need to provide:
   1. One (1) official copy of transcripts from all universities/colleges you have attended to verify your engineering degree;
   2. A Statement of Purpose letter that introduces you to the Graduate Admissions Review Committee and presents your professional and personal goals and why you believe the Colorado School of Mines is the best place for you to achieve those goals;
   3. A letter from your current and/or former employer(s) verifying at least five (5) years of professional employment in the mining sector;
   4. Three (3) letters of recommendation from sources knowledgeable of your academic and professional capabilities which are submitted directly to Mines through the online application system or by email to credentials@mines.edu;
   5. Results of a TOEFL examination (or equivalent) if English is not your native language; and
   6. A current resumé explaining the nature, extent and duration of your relevant work experience in the mining sector.
5. Is a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required for admission into the Program?
   No. The full admission requirements are identified in the preceding question.
6. Once admitted into the MP-MIM Program, can I take the required courses whenever I want to take them?
   No. When a student is accepted into the MP-MIM Program, the cohort of students will take the sequence of courses together over the two-year period. Skipping a course or taking courses out of sequence is not allowed unless specifically authorized by the MP-MEM Program Manager.
7. How much does the Program cost?
   The Program requires 33 credit hours to complete the degree, please visit this link for current program costs: tuition-schedule.pdf (mines.edu).
8. Is there a premium tuition cost for out-of-state or out-of-country students?
   No. Please visit this link for current program costs: tuition-schedule.pdf (mines.edu).
9. If I am not a U.S. citizen, do I need a student visa to take this Program?
   No. All coursework can be done from your current location of residence.
10. Will I be required to travel to the Colorado School of Mines campus or anywhere else to complete this Program?
    No. This course is delivered exclusively online and can be completed from anywhere that there is quality internet communication.
11. When is the deadline to submit an application for admission?
    Students interested to join a cohort need to apply for admission no later than the deadlines stated on the Mines website (https://www.mines.edu/graduate-admissions/deadlines/). Because the Program is online, there is no differentiation between international and domestic students, so the MP-MIM uses the “Domestic” deadlines of August 1 for Fall enrollment and November 1 for Spring enrollment. 
12. When does the tuition need to be paid?
    Tuition must be paid according by the dates established by the Bursar’s office (https://www.mines.edu/bursar/).
13. Is there any financial aid available for the MP-MIM Program?
    Students in the MP-MIM Program are eligible to apply for financial aid in the same manner as our on-campus students (https://finaid.mines.edu/graduate-students/).
14. Is there a maximum enrollment number for the Program?
    The cohorts will generally be limited to 20 students. The intent is to maintain cohort sizes sufficiently small as to encourage camaraderie and a relaxed and comfortable professional network among students and faculty.
15. When will the classes be delivered?
    Two courses are delivered in each semester, one in the first session and one in the second session, according to the Mines academic calendar for online programs. (https://catalog.mines.edu/calendar/). All courses are either two or three credits. Three credit courses are delivered over a period of 8 contiguous weeks. Two credit courses are delivered over 6 contiguous weeks. Classes are held during Fall and Spring semesters and in the second session of the Summer Session. This comprises 42 weeks of class each year. Courses will generally start on the Monday closest to the start date stated for on-campus classes, according to the Mines academic calendar. Spring and Fall Breaks and public holidays are not observed in the MP-MIM Program.
16. How will classes be delivered?
    The MP-MIM is a paced, asynchronously delivered program where the courses are presented in Canvas, the learning management system used by Mines. Courses are opened to students on the first day of each online semester session according to the Mines academic calendar (https://catalog.mines.edu/calendar/). Some faculty members open the entire course at the beginning of the semester session; others open the course materials for the coming week at midnight on Monday morning. Most courses require student deliverables two times each week, the deadlines for submission are usually 11:59PM on Wednesday or Thursday, and 11:59PM on Sunday (Mountain Time in Golden, CO).
17. Are there regularly scheduled times when I must attend a class?
    No. There are no regularly scheduled live lectures, so students can do their work at a time that is most convenient for them. Work is mapped out at the beginning of each week so students know what they need to accomplish that week and can plan accordingly. This will include listening to lecture videos, completing reading and homework assignments, participating in chat room dialogues and interactive group activities and taking quizzes and tests. Occasionally, students will be asked to join a live lecture or discussion. The time of such synchronous lectures will be announced sufficiently early as to allow students to arrange their schedule to attend. If students are unable to attend a live lecture, the lecture is recorded so that students can access the lecture at an alternate time.
18. Will I be able to meet with my instructor if a personal issue comes up or I need special assistance?
    Yes. All instructors hold open office hours at least twice each week via Zoom video conferencing. The instructor’s open office hours and contact information will be clearly stated at the beginning of each course. Students wishing to schedule a private meeting with the instructor may request such a meeting via email or telephone.
19. Will there be any opportunity to meet the faculty members and other students in my cohort in person?
    Students are welcome to visit the Mines campus at any time and if you do plan a visit, you should schedule meetings with the available faculty. We do also strongly recommend (but do not require) that students and graduates of the MP-MIM Program attend the Colorado School of Mines Alumni Reception at the SME Annual Meeting & Expo (http://www.smeannualconference.com). In addition to the excellent career development and networking opportunities available from attending the SME Annual Meeting, attending the Mines Alumni Reception will allow online students and graduates to meet and network with their online counterparts, as well as other Mines faculty, students and alumni.
20. When I complete the MP-MIM Program, will I be able to participate in a graduation commencement ceremony?
    Yes. Mines will host a virtual graduation for MP-MIM students who cannot or do not wish to travel to Golden to attend an on-campus graduation ceremony. Participation in the virtual graduation most certainly does not preclude MP-MIM graduates from participating at one of our on-campus commencement ceremonies. You will simply need to make the MP-MIM Program Manager aware of your intent to participate in the on-campus graduation ceremony.
21. Can I skip a course and take it later?
    Yes, but since courses are offered in sequence, it could extend the time until you are able to receive your degree. Please notify the MP-MIM Program Manager if the need to miss a course arises.
22. Can I get credit up front for analogous courses I have already taken in a given subject?
    No. All courses in this Program have been designed specifically for this online degree and have unique cross-cutting elements in every course.
23. If I have a scientific, but not an engineering, degree and have experience in the mining industry, can I qualify for enrollment?
    Yes. This Mining Industry and Management degree program requires a BSC degree relevant to the mining industry to qualify for enrollment. This Program does not include basic engineering courses to bring non-engineers to the level required to obtain a degree in engineering.
24. If I have an engineering degree and no experience in the mining industry, will I qualify for enrollment?
    No. Students must have a fundamental working knowledge of the mining industry. The Program will not teach students how to design a mine (this is taught in our Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering curriculum), but rather it will review the state of the practice, examine the new technologies and trends, discuss the risks and opportunities, and integrate the various linked disciplines into the content. It will also include mine-applied business content, including management, accounting, finance, economics, and valuation.
25. If I have a degree in civil (or other non-mining) engineering and five years (or more) experience in the mining industry, will I have the appropriate base knowledge to be successful in this Program?
    Yes. This Program is not a mine design course (that is our Bachelor of Science degree in the Mining Engineering curriculum). It is designed to give the mid-level experienced member of the industry the background needed to move up to the management and executive levels in the mining sector. Not everyone who advances to the executive level of the mining industry is a mining engineer, but everyone who does advance needs to understand the state of the practice, the emerging trends, the risks and opportunities, the linked disciplines and the relevant business aspects.
26. Will this Program be available in languages other than English?
    Not at this time. Courses are currently taught only in English so all students must be proficient in the English language.