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The Professional Science Master's in Economic Geology (PSM/EG) is a post-graduate education and training program designed to provide geologists with the technical and leadership skills required by mineral industries around the globe. Candidates are usually professionals who have a Bachelor's degree in Geosciences or a related field and a job in the minerals industry but wish to obtain further education and training that will allow them to compete globally with other professionals for career-track positions leading to management opportunities.
The PSM/EG covers a broad spectrum of mining-related activities, from discovery, to production, to mine closure. This program emphasizes technical aspects but also includes essential business and management components.
The program can be completed in two semesters if the student is efficient and can focus entirely on completing the degree, but flexibility is available to purse the degree over a somewhat longer period of time while working locally part time.
The PSM/EG has degree requirements that differ from those of a conventional MS degree in Geosciences. The course requirements are not identical.
The four emphasis areas (degree tracks) are identified below:
Exploration geology: For those students interested in pursuing a career in discovering new ore deposits, generally working in teams dominated by geoscientists.
Development geology: For those geologists who will be testing the feasibility of deposits, bringing newly discovered deposits into production, and expanding existing operations, typically as a member of a multi-disciplinary project team.
Mining geology: For those geologists who will be contributing to the efficient mining and processing of ore at operating mines, generally as a member of the professional staff at an operating mine.
Environmental geology: For those geologists who will be applying geologic science to the environmental aspects of the mining industry, such as permitting new mines or monitoring and controlling water quality and supply in the vicinity of active and closed mining operations, typically as a member of an environmental team at a mine site, a member of a corporate environmental staff, or an employee of an environmental consulting firm.
The Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, focuses on research and education in the nature, genesis, and history of the Earth and its crust, and the evolution of the environment and biota at the Earth's surface.
Our faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students are active in biogeochemistry; climate dynamics; geoarchaeology; geochemistry; geochronology; geomorphology; geophysics; mineral resources; mineralogy; paleolimnology; palynology; paleontology; petrology; sedimentology and stratigraphy; structure; and tectonics.
We encourage interdisciplinary approaches to research in the geosciences, both within the department and through interdepartmental programs.
US National Research Council Rankings - We are one of nine programs, and one of only four in public institutions, to rank in the top 10 in both "survey" and "regression" rankings.
The Department of Geosciences at the University Of Arizona is ranked #3 In Geology, #8 In Earth Sciences, And #11 In Geochemistry Iin the most recent U.S. News and World Report National Survey of Graduate Programs.
College of Science
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
GPA 3.0
English Proficiency: https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants#english-proficiency
3 letters of recommendation
Statement of purpose, and résumé/CV
Transcripts
NA
Students or their sponsoring employers are expected to fund the student's participation in this professional degree, although limited scholarships may be available.
Domestic Applicants:
International Applicants:
No spring admissions
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
4832
30
Minumum credits: 30 units of course work (15 minimum graded and 2-6 units from GEOS 910)
Core coursework: GEOS 595A, Topics in Geosciences, 1 unit, taken for two semesters, typically in student's first year
Students must choose course work from three out of four study areas: Exploration and Development; Mining and Processing; Economics, Business and People; Health, Environment, and Safety.
Students must choose course work from three out of four study areas:
Exploration and Development
GEOS 500, Introduction to Geochemistry, 3 units
GEOS 523, Regional Structural Geology, 3 units
GEOS 525, Regional Tectonics, 3 units
GEOS 543C, Geologic Best Practices, 3 units
GEOS 556, Thrust Belts, 3 units
GEOS 570L, Volcanology: Laboratory, 1 unit
GEOS 570R, Volcanology: Physical Processes and Petrologic Applications, 3 units
GEOS 646A, Advanced Ore Deposit Geology, 4 units
MNE/GEOS 516, Field Studies in Geophysics, 3 units
MNE/GEOS 548, Geophysical Exploration and Engineering, 3 units
Mining and Processing
MNE 511, Mineral Processing, 3 units
MNE 518, Geometallurgy, 4 units
MNE 519, Mine Planning Software, 1 unit
MNE 527, Geomechanics, 3-4 units
MNE 536, Surface Mine Planning and Design, 3 units
MNE 539, Surface Chemistry of Flotation, 3 units
Economics, Business, and People
BNAD 510, Foundations of Business for Scientists, 3 units
LAW 640, Comparative Mining Law, 2-3 units
MIS 578, Project Management, 3 units
MNE 697C, Basic Concepts in Mineral Economics, 1 unit
MNE 697F ,Valuation of Mineral Assets and Projects, 2 units
Health, Environment, and Safety
HWR 513A, Field Hydrology Methods, 2 units
HWRS 531, Hydrogeology, 4 units
HWRS 543A, Risk Assessment for Environmental Systems, 3 units
HWRS 576, Natural Resource Law and Economics, 3 units
MNE 530, Mine Examination and Valuation, 3 units
MNE 697K ,Introduction to Social & Environmental Assessment, 1 unit
Language requirements: no second language requirement
Other requirements:
MS public presentation of Research requirement (research must be presented in a public meeting and approved by advisor),
MS Thesis submitted to the Graduate College
Transfer credits limited to 6 units of graduate credit
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.