Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School of Mines is a public research university devoted to engineering and applied science. It has the highest admissions standards of any public university in Colorado and among the highest of any public university in the U.S.

Mines has distinguished itself by developing a curriculum and research program geared towards responsible stewardship of the earth and its resources. In addition to strong education and research programs in traditional fields of science and engineering, Mines is one of a very few institutions in the world having broad expertise in resource exploration, extraction, production and utilization. As such, Mines occupies a unique position among the world's institutions of higher education.

Since its founding in 1874, the translation of the school's mission into educational programs has been influenced by the needs of society. Those needs are now focused more clearly than ever before. The world faces a crisis in balancing resource availability with environmental protection and Mines and its programs are central to the solution.

Mines offers all the advantages of a world-class research institution with a size that allows for personal attention. 

• College of Earth resource sciences & engineering

  The College of Earth Resource Sciences & Engineering (CERSE) is home to some of Mines’ oldest and most established areas of study, while also offering unparalleled expertise in new and emerging fields. Our college combines robust technical, material and policy expertise to educate students to work collaboratively across disciplines and solve complex global challenges. Our vision is to make a bold impact on energy and earth resources education and research, both nationally and internationally, and to build the pipeline of future industry leaders.

  CERSE is a strong, three-pronged structure comprised of six academic departments: it is technical (Geology, Geophysics, and Petroleum Engineering) and hands-on with materials (Mining Engineering and Petroleum Engineering) combined with public policy-driven focus (Economics & Business and Liberal Arts & International Studies).

  CERSE contributes to Mines’ global reach and strategic partnerships around the world.

  • Colorado Geological Survey
  • Economics & Business
  • Geology & Geological Engineering
  • Geophysics
  • Liberal Arts & International Studies
  • Mining Engineering
  • Petroleum Engineering

• The college of Applied Science and Engineering

  The College of Applied Science and Engineering (CASE) was formed in 2012 and merged together a rather unique collection of science and engineering departments and interdisciplinary programs with similar emphases on excellent education and training for our students as well as state-of-the-art research that addresses the challenges that face our world. Our evolving vision can be summarized as follows:
  CASE Vision:To capitalize on our cross-disciplinary strengths in science and engineering as we develop future leaders capable of addressing significant scientific and technological issues that challenge our world.

  The four academic units and two interdisciplinary graduate programs that comprise CASE are:

  • Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
  • Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry
  • Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
  • Department of Physics
  • Materials Science Program
  • Nuclear Science and Engineering Program

  Through these departments and programs, CASE is proud to offer rigorous and highly regarded educational programs that emphasize problem solving and critical thinking as faculty, staff and students address professional and societal needs. Thus, I encourage you to consider joining the nearly 1,500 current CASE students and to pursue a world class education where you will be able to develop the skills you will need to become leaders who are positioned to address the future societal challenges that we will undoubtedly face. I assure you that the CASE faculty will challenge you to become more than you can comprehend at this time and I encourage you to embrace this challenge.

   

• College of Engineering & Computational Sciences

  Research in CECS is motivated by the goal of improving people's lives by attacking fundamental problems facing society. Many of our programs aim to enable a better quality of life in the natural and built environment through a focus on livable, intelligent and sustainable infrastructure.

  The College of Engineering and Computational Sciences (CECS) was formed in August 2011 as the first-ever College at the Colorado School of Mines through the merger of the former Division of Engineering, Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences. 

  In the College of Engineering and Computational Sciences, students gain the engineering skills needed to solve the problems of today related to earth, energy, and the environment.  

  CECS comprises four academic units, three interdisciplinary graduate programs, and the undergraduate design program at Mines:

  • Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics
  • Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Department of Mechanical Engineering 
  • Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program
  • Nuclear Engineering Program
  • Underground Construction and Tunneling Program
  • EPICS Program

  Through these departments CECS is proud to offer rigorous and highly-regarded educational programs as well as cutting-edge research that matters.  

  Today over 2100 students and more than 70 faculty members are working toward this vision. If you are looking for a challenge though a world class education, if you want the skills you need to make a difference in the world, if you are interested in pursuing original research, or if you want to be part of the rich traditions of an institution that has been committed to serving the people of Colorado, the nation, and the global community since the 1870’s, I invite you to join us in the College of Engineering and Computational Sciences at the Colorado School of Mines. 

Golden, first known as Golden City, was established in 1859 and served as a supply center for miners and settlers in the area. By 1866, Bishop George M. Randall arrived in the territory and, seeing a need for higher education facilities in the area, began planning for a university which would include a school of mines. In 1870, he opened the Jarvis Hall Collegiate School in a building just south of the town of Golden. In 1873, Mines opened under the auspices of the Episcopal Church and in 1874 the School of Mines became a territorial institution and has been a state institution since 1876 when Colorado attained statehood.

The first Colorado School of Mines Board of Trustees meeting was held in 1879, the first formal commencement for two graduates was held in 1883, the first international student graduated in 1889, and the first female student graduated in 1898. 

Courses offered to students during the early years of Colorado School of Mines included chemistry, metallurgy, mineralogy, mining engineering, geology, botany, math and drawing. The focus of the early academic programs was on gold and silver, and the assaying of those minerals. As the institution grew, its mission expanded to focus specifically on understanding the Earth, harnessing energy and sustaining the environment.

• The Mines athletics staff also provides a wide range of summer camps each year. Additionally, Mines offers intramural and club sports programs, as well as physical activity classes for the recreational athlete.
• The Colorado School of Mines intercollegiate athletics program provides student-athletes with the opportunity to participate in 18 varsity sports. As one of 14 schools in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Mines provides an excellent opportunity and environment for both the scholar and the athlete. The RMAC is an NCAA Division II affiliate consisting of 10 institutions in Colorado, two in New Mexico, one in South Dakota and one in Nebraska.
• Mines Band. The traditional Mines Marching Band wears red and black plaid shirts, jeans, hiking boots and hard hats — making it a unique presence among university bands. The band was established more than 50 years ago and has a rich tradition of performing for the school and the community.
• E-DAYS. For three days each spring, Colorado School of Mines students put the stress of studying aside and celebrate Engineer’s Days (E-Days).
  Highlights include the traditional (and legendary) fireworks show at Brooks Field, the ore-cart pull to the state capitol where the governor reads an E-Day proclamation, live entertainment, engineering-themed games, a cardboard canoe race down Clear Creek and more.

Vision:

Mines will be the premier institution, based on the impact of its graduates and research programs, in engineering and science relating to the earth, energy and the environment

• Colorado School of Mines is a world- renowned institution that continually enhances its leadership in educational and research programs that serve constituencies throughout Colorado, the nation, and the world.
• Mines is widely acclaimed as an educational institution focused on stewardship of the earth, development of materials, overcoming the earth’s energy challenges, and fostering environmentally sound and sustainable solutions.

Values:

A student-centered institution focused on education that promotes collaboration, integrity, perseverance, creativity, life-long learning and a responsibility for developing a better world

• The Mines student graduates with a strong sense of integrity, intellectual curiosity, demonstrated ability to get a job done in collaborative environments, passion to achieve goals, and an enhanced sense of responsibility to promote positive change in the world.
• Mines is committed to providing a quality experience for students, faculty, and staff through student programs, excellence in pedagogy and research, and an engaged and supportive campus community.
• Mines actively promotes ethical and responsible behaviors as a part of all aspects of campus life.

MINES BY THE NUMBERS:

• 1: The largest collegiate section of the Society of Women Engineers
• 2: RMAC All-Sports Competition Cup recipients
• 18: Intercollegiate athletic teams at Mines
• 30: Average ACT score for entering freshmen
• 87, 95, 100: Percentages of bachelor's, master's, and PhD graduates who had positive outcomes upon graduation in 2014-15
• 180: Student organizations on campus
• 5,794: Degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students
• $40.6 million: Amount given by donors during fiscal year 2015 
• $63.8 million: Total research awards in 2015, roughly half funded by non-federal sources
• $273 million: Total Mines endowment as of June 2015