For those who have pursued an education in the mining sector and are looking to dig a little deeper in their studies, there are many options on how to enhance your schooling.
From post-grad certificates to PhD programs, Canadian schools from coast to coast offer various specialized programs, such as Mining Management, as well as more broad-ranged programs, such as Mining Engineering.
Post-grad certificates
Mining Management at Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education
For those with an undergraduate degree and five years of experience in the industry who are looking to move into a more challenging position, this is an excellent way to make that transition. Educating you in natural resource development, financing and value creation in the mining industry, this post-grad program prepares you to combine the science and business side of mining in a global environment.
This one year program requires you to take courses such as Resource Valuation, Investor Relations and Mining Sustainability. However, it also leaves room for you to pursue some electives, which span from Mining Management Accounting to Mining in the Global Environment.
Successful candidates must be approved by an academic coordinator, possess and undergraduate degree with a GPA of at least 2.0, and possess a minimum of five years working experience in a relevant field. For more information, visit Ryerson’s profile and click “Science and Engineering”.
Community Relations for the Extractive Industries at Queen’s University
This certificate program is the first of its kind in North America. Adapted to reflect industry needs, community challenges and the political realities of North America, it is based on the structure and design of the successful University of Queensland program in Australia.
The program focuses on strengthening competencies in the areas of communication, community engagement, community development and program planning. It will equip students with the knowledge, practical tools, and analytical techniques to facilitate positive and lasting company-community relationships that work for the company, affected communities and local or regional governments.
Master of the Mines
Graduate Studies in Mining at Queen’s University
These programs are designed to produce engineers, geologists and geoscientists qualified to assess, design and operate underground and open-pit mines. Students have the option of pursuing a research-based master’s program or one without research emphasis and a focus on in-class work instead.
For more information, visit Queen’s University’s School of Graduate Studies profile and click the program titles under Faculty of Engineering & Applied Sciences or Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
Mining and Materials Engineering at McGill University
McGill offers three graduate programs in mining – two Masters of Engineering Programs (one research-based, one project-based) and a Masters of Science program (research-based). These degrees are available in different specializations of the mining industry such as: strategic mine planning, mine optimization, underground mine design, risk analysis in mine valuation and orebody modeling.
Eligible students must come from another engineering or science discipline including (but not limited to) Civil Engineering, Earth Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Finance and Petroleum Engineering.
Applicants must first find a supervisor whose research is of interest to them and contact them to see if they are looking to take on any graduate students.
Mineral Resource Engineering at Dalhousie University
This graduate program focuses on the environmental and economic aspects of the extraction and processing of the earth’s mineral resources. Mineral Resource Engineering prepares engineers for a career path following along the lines of advanced mine design and planning, ground control and rock mechanics.
Students enrolled in this graduate program have the option of specializing in two different sectors:
- Mining and Mineral Process Engineering: Research topics in this stream include things like rock mechanics, ground support, equipment maintenance, mine design and field monitoring.
- Petroleum Engineering: Research opportunities exist in offshore drilling, production of oil and gas, and reservoir engineering. Students in this stream are prepared for a career both in the conventional petroleum sector as well as the mining of oil sands.
Mining PhD opportunities
Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering at the University of British Columbia
This program seeks students who are looking to improve their workplace skills, and are wishing to pursue research leading to exceptional advances in the field of mining and mineral processing.
This program strongly encourages interaction between schools both in North America and overseas, so often joint-research projects and student exchanges are put into play. This program also has heavy ties with Canada’s mining industry, meaning most students have the opportunity to conduct research and partake in employment at working mines, allowing students to gain practical skills and gain further exposure to the research they are conducting.
Eligible applicants to this program must have:
- A master’s degree with clear indication of research potential
- A bachelor’s degree + 12 credits in a master’s Program
- In exceptional cases, applicants holding a bachelor’s degree with a first-class average who have demonstrated advanced research ability.
Full requirements and further information here.
Are you thinking about pursuing post-graduate education related to mining? Which programs are on your list?
Photo credit: Morlaan