School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering

Our new approach to mining engineering education

Mining engineering is changing. And so are we.

As the resources industry faces new challenges associated with environmental and social governance, as it embraces new technologies, and as it sustains and improves its existing practices, there is an ongoing imperative to recruit graduate engineers with the necessary knowledge and skills to support change. UQ is changing how we deliver mining engineering education to meet these needs.

Following an extensive review of the current program in 2018 – 2019 followed by industry consultation in 2020 and 2021, we are excited to announce our new approach to mining and resources engineering education.

New programs

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Civil Engineering with a major in Mining Engineering

  • A four-year degree with a specialisation in Civil Engineering with a major in Mining Engineering.
  • Revised program offering in line with Engineers Australia and AusIMM requirements.
  • Civil Engineer with a Major in Mining should understand the processes whereby mine geotechnical engineering, mining equipment and digital technologies are applied to extract value from mineral and energy resources in a safe, profitable, and socially acceptable way.

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Mechanical Engineering with a major in Mining Engineering

  • A four-year degree with a specialisation in Mechanical Engineering with a major in Mining Engineering.
  • Revised program offering in line with Engineers Australia and AusIMM requirements. 
  • Mechanical Engineer with a Major in Mining should understand the processes whereby mining equipment, automation, digital technologies and systems thinking are applied to extract value from mineral and energy resources in a safe, profitable, and socially acceptable way.

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Mechatronic Engineering with a major in Mining Engineering

  • A four-year degree with a specialisation in Mechatronic Engineering with a major in Mining Engineering. Revised program offering in line with Engineers Australia and AusIMM requirements.

Programs under consideration

  • Introducing a five-year integrated BE/ME degree where the final year also allows for both a semester long placement in industry and a series of “flexible learning” courses (subjects) that can be taken on line or via intensive mode, enabling the student to remain in industry while studying.
  • A number of complementary postgraduate and professional development offerings in Mining Engineering are being considered. These may include a Master and a Graduate Certificate in Mining Engineering.
  • Postgraduate and professional development offerings in Mining Engineering will produce additional graduates and up-skill existing engineers for the resources industry.

Our new approach to mining engineering education will:

  • Produce multidisciplinary, industry aware graduates with enhanced awareness of digital, automation, data analysis technologies, and innovation able to assist the industry in its drive to maximise returns by swiftly adopting and implementing new mining techniques and technology.
  • Grow UQ’s professional development opportunities for graduates entering the minerals industry including those from non-mining engineering backgrounds.
  • Deferred selection of the mining engineering major or postgraduate engineering option allows more time to expose students to the diverse career opportunities in the minerals industry and grow the number of graduates with mining engineering qualifications.

Flexible Credentials

  • The new approach will also allow professionals to upgrade their skills through a comprehensive program of flexible credentials that are stackable into postgraduate qualifications.​

Objectives
  • Innovative and practice-focussed curriculum design, promoting transition to industry roles;
  • Provide additional specialist content to provide ‘Mining Engineering’ recognition including pathways to relevant statutory roles
  • Deliver material in flexible modes to provide option for students to continue in full-time employment;
  • Emphasise practice-based assignments that link to placement and work experience.

Further Information

If you have any questions about the proposed changes, please contact the School Manager at sm@mechmining.uq.edu.au 

 

Disclaimer: UQ’s mining engineering programs will be led by the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering with UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute. Once approved, these programs will be submitted to Engineers Australia for provisional accreditation. It is planned to commence offering some of these new programs from 2021.