Professional Science Master's Program in Economic Geology

Nuclear systematics and thermodynamics with applications to geologic processes.  Graduate-level requirements include an independent research report.

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Seismic, magnetic, electrical, and gravity exploration techniques.  Graduate-level requirements include additional project work requiring a more in-depth analysis.

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Geologic mapping in a variety of rock types and structural regimes, with emphasis on the recognition and solution of regionally significant structural problems.  Graduate-level requirements include additional reading assignments on structural processes and regional geology.

 [Taught alternate years beginning Fall 2004]

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Survey of tectonic processes operating within continents, along continental margins, and on the ocean floor. Graduate requirements include writing a 10-page research paper that addresses a significant problem in regional tectonics.

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An analysis of the geology, geophysics, and geochemistry, and the tectonic evolution of selected world mountain systems ranging from currently active belts in both oceanic and continental settings back through Phanerozoic, Proterozoic, and into Archean time. Graduate-level requirements include an oral presentation of the term project and additional content for home work and mid-term exam.

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This course introduces communication and leadership terminology as applied to project management in mineral exploration and mining, then examines the stages through which projects advance and how best practices in geology are achieved at the various stages.

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Geology of metallic and nonmetallic ore deposits. Economic considerations, processes of formation, methods of study and exploration, and description of geologic aspects and settings of representative worldwide examples. Graduate-level requirements include an independent study project.

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Principles of gravity, magnetic, seismic, and electrical exploration; acquisition and interpretation of data to define geologic structure and evaluate resources. Graduate-level requirements include a special research project collecting and interpreting geophysical field data.

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Geometry and mechanics of thrust faults and thrust belts; tectonics of contractional orogenic belts; geomorphology of thrust belts and foreland basin system; depositional systems and provenance of foreland basin sediments; application of orogenic-wedge models. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth research paper on a single aspect of the course topic.

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GEOS 570R

Physical and chemical properties of magmas; physical volcanology of silicic, intermediate, mafic, and ultramafic magmas, with applications to petrology, extraterrestrial volcanism, mineral deposits, and society. Graduate-level requirements include writing a research paper in the middle of the course.

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GEOS 570L

Hand specimen and petrographic examination of volcanic rocks; geologic map exercises; field trips with geologic mapping exercises. Graduate students requirement includes completing a group project with an oral presentation.

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The development and exchange of scholarly information, usually in a small group setting. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of the results of such research through discussion, reports, and/or papers.

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Geology, characteristics and origins of ore deposits in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Laboratories include field trips, analytical techniques, problem solving.

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The course covers the principles, methods and equipment of diverse beneficiation processes to separate and recover the economic minerals and metals from their ores. Major mining operations in AZ are introduced with the flowsheets being analyzed. The modern scientific and engineering background for the operations are presented as well as the mitigation of mining activities impact on environment. Graduate-level requirements include an advanced understanding of the fundamentals and solutions.

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This course will provide the student with a fundamental understanding of the methodology and process by which mines are designed using modern software tools. Topics covered include compositing drill hole data, creating 3D block models, geologic interpretation, pit limit optimization, and underground models. Course may be taught at an off campus location. Graduate-level requirements include a more in-depth work in the area of 3-D block models, interpolation, and constraints on mine design. Grading percentages will remain the same but more extensive homework and projects will be assigned.

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This course is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of geometallurgy and the role of mineralogy in mine planning, ore processing, and mine development. Topics include spatial distribution and variability of minerals in ore deposits, mineral behavior and element deportment during ore processing, and industry practices in geometallurgical sampling, testing, materials characterization, and planning. The laboratory section introduces industrial methods of mineral characterization (including SEM, XRD, and MLA) and provides hands-on examination of mineral processing samples from various deposit types.

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Mechanical behavior of rock and rock masses; lab testing and intact rock failure criteria; rock discontinuities and rock mass classification; modern rock mass characterization tools; rock mass strength criteria; in-situ stress state; induced stresses due to underground excavations; numerical stress and discontinuity characterization software; rock slope stability; engineering applications including highway and mining slopes, tunnels and underground mining, dam foundations, national monuments. Graduate-level requirements include either a research project or a research paper and a presentation, at the discretion of the instructor.

LAB SCHEDULE: You will be in a Tuesday or Thursday group and will have a lab partner. Each person in the group is required to participate in the preparation and testing of the specimens. Meeting times will include a short lecture concerning the current test.

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A senior-level course in open pit mine design and planning, incorporating the principles from prior mining and engineering courses. Functions of a mine engineer include the mine development process, resource and reserve analysis, economic pit limit determination, pit and phase design, production planning, cash flow analyses and social and environmental considerations. Laboratory design problems and work are associated with typical mine design and planning functions by using the MinePlan software.

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Understand and apply concepts and problem-solving methods for the design of underground facilities, and operation of underground mines for ores, evaporites, and coal. Topics will include design and layout of excavations, including adits, shafts and slopes, stopes, undercuts and vehicular roadways; mining methods for various geological conditions, sequence of operations (cyclic and continuous), basic design of mine services and equipment selection including ventilation, material-handling, hoisting, electric distribution and dewatering. Safety considerations will be paramount. At the conclusion of the course, participants will be able to select a mining method based on geologic conditions, and perform mine layout, equipment selection and services determination for a target underground production rate. Graduate-level requirements include a Critical Topic Analysis worth 15% of grade.

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Foundation of Business for Scientists course will focus on topics of fundamental macro-economics, project development and management, business and organizational modeling, decision analysis and communication/presentation skills.

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Project Management is the application of knowledge, analytical skills, scheduling software tools and techniques related to various project activities in order to meet project requirements. This course specifically addresses the nine project management "knowledge areas", the five project management "process groups" and the 4-way constraints of project management (i.e., scope, time, cost, quality). Graduate-level requirements include an additional term paper or team-based PM Project with a real organization. Graduate-level requirements include an additional term paper or team-based PM Project with a real organization.

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This course provides students with an overview of the field of mineral economics, what it holds in common with other areas of economics and the special requirements of the mineral resources sector.

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This course examines the acquisition, disposal, and management of the public lands of the United States. Particular emphasis is placed upon the mineral land laws and the laws related to mineral exploration and development of mineral resources.

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Through much of human history, we were not overly concerned about whether natural resource development as good for local populations, or whether they liked it. The fundamental issues in the industry were geological (finding minerals, timber or oil; and gas), or in the case of dam development., finding good hydroelectric sites; engineering (learning the physical processes to produce and obtain the resources efficiently) and processing (finding more useful products and more diverse and creative ways to use resources). The social, cultural and environmental dimensions, and the local economic impact, were in the back seat, and whether local people felt they were receiving benefits was rarely considered an issue. National government officials and developers made the decision, often with little if any input from locals.

The principle that can help us understand all these diverse issues is a set of ideas we call "sustainable development." Sustainable development is a set of concepts that attempt to harmonize a number of seemingly competing goals. These include providing better conditions of like and more opportunity for people, especially the poor, They also include bringing production and consumption within limits that ecosystems can tolerate in the long run.

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This course provides detailed background and practical application of valuation and risk analysis approaches for determining transaction values for mineral assets.

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You have learned the theory of hydrologic measurement in this course you will apply this theory to individual measurements and to aggregating measurement into a greater explanation and understanding of hydrologic phenomena. Each week in the spring we will focus on an individual type of hydrologic measurement or characterization. You will then synthesize these individual measurements into a report that explain some underlying hydrologic phenomena.

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Fundamental concepts in the recognition, evaluation and control of health and safety hazards encountered in mining operations; includes a review of engineering management responsibilities to control accidents, a review of federal regulations and standards affecting the industrial workplace, and instruction regarding the interaction of industrial hygiene, safety, fire protection and workers' compensation to control losses resulting from industrial accidents. Graduate-level requirements include a term paper.

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Principles and procedures in mineral property valuation, time value of money fundamentals. Ore reserve estimation using geostatistics techniques, cut-off determination, and engineering economics. Investment analysis of actual mining and non-mining industries. Development of criteria for Discount Rate selection. Case Studies of actual mining companies and the way they address economic and technical challenges for sustaining the production of mineral commodities. Graduate-level requirements include either a research project, a complete lecture, or a research paper at the discretion of the instructor.

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Hydrologic and geologic factors controlling the occurrence and dynamics of groundwater on regional and local scales. Graduate-level requirements include a research paper on a topic related to hydrogeology but not covered in lectures.

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A multidisciplinary course based on evaluating risk as the loss expected from environmental catastrophes or from the failure of systems designed for environmental protection. Examples will be drawn from hydrology, atmospheric science, and geology. The emphasis is on adapting the tools of probabilistic risk assessment to environmental analyses. Graduate-level requirements include a written review of a seminal paper and its presentation in class.

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Advanced economic and legal analysis of environmental and natural resource policies.

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This course introduces students to the basics of the social and environmental assessment process, gives hands-on experience in the planning and analytical processes, and focuses on the evaluations to be accomplished during each phase of the project cycle.

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