Earth and Society Programs
Meeting society’s grand challenges and serving as responsible stewards of the planet’s resources
Colorado School of Mines’ programs in Earth and Society prepares students for successful careers in a wide range of fields, from our traditional fortes of resource extraction and the earth sciences to disciplines where science and engineering interact with society. Our groundbreaking education and research are making the world a better and more sustainable place.
Engineer a better world.
59 Degree Programs
Mines’ programs in earth and society, with sustained excellence in both teaching and research, prepares students at all levels for successful careers in industry, academia and beyond
15 Online Programs
The diversity of Mines’ offerings will only continue to grow – online courses, graduate certificates, thesis and non-thesis master’s degrees and doctoral programs.
$30M Research Funding
Faculty in the earth and society programs garner support from government, industry and other sources, attracting the best and brightest research talent.
faculty Spotlight
Mines faculty member testifies before U.S. Senate committee on minerals workforce
Washington, D.C. — Bill Zisch, J. Steven Whisler Head of Mining Engineering at Colorado School of Mines, testified June 12 before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety. In a hearing led by Chairman John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Ranking Member Mike Braun (R-IN), the committee explored how the U.S. can strategically build the critical minerals workforce.
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From the Dean
If you know anything about Colorado School of Mines, it’s likely our long and storied history in resource extraction and the associated earth sciences. Founded in 1874 with academic departments in drafting, physics, metallurgy, chemistry and mining, the university expanded to include geology, petroleum engineering and geophysics in the 1920s.
We’ve maintained our core strengths over the decades—we’ve been ranked No. 1 for mineral and mining engineering in the QS World University Rankings for several years running and our graduates enjoy excellent outcomes soon after graduation.
But there’s more to Mines than an excellent return on investment—we take our responsibility as stewards of the Earth seriously. We strive to make mining safer and more energy efficient. Our humanitarian science and engineering program prepares students to serve communities around the world. Math and statistics faculty work with colleagues in geology and geophysics to develop methods that lessen the environmental impact of harvesting critical materials. Our unique Underground Construction and Tunneling program is building a better tomorrow.
That’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, and we’re happy to tell you more.
Dr. Terri Hogue
Dean, Earth and Society Programs
Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
News
- Kamini Singha selected to 2024 class of AGU Fellows
- Mines faculty member testifies before U.S. Senate committee on minerals workforce
- Jennifer Miskimins nominated as 2026 president of Society of Petroleum Engineers
- USGS, Mines break ground on new facility focused on energy and minerals research
- Field Session gives students hands-on opportunity to apply classroom concepts in the real world
- Petroleum engineering faculty cracking open enhanced geothermal energy
- Hennebach Program, MME Department honored for collaboration with Denver music group itchy-O
Digging Deep
The Edgar Experimental Mine serves as an underground laboratory for future engineers, one of the many Mines facilities creating valuable experiences for those training to discover, develop and process the world’s natural resources.
Academic Departments
Interdisciplinary Programs
hydrologic science and engineering
space resources
underground construction and tunneling Engineering
Innovative Programs
Mines’ graduate programs in humanitarian science and engineering and Quantum Engineering integrate cutting-edge social science, engineering and applied science, preparing technical professionals to foster development around the world.
Mines By The Numbers
Mineral and Mining Engineering Programs, QS World University Rankings
Petroleum Engineering Graduate Program, U.S. News & World Report
Best U.S. Engineering Colleges, Money Magazine
Best Value Colleges, Payscale
Top Universities Based on Alumni Ratings, Forbes
Best Earth Sciences Graduate Programs, U.S. News & World Report
Best Environmental Engineering Graduate Programs, U.S. News & World Report
Top Public Schools, U.S. News & World Report
Best Civil Engineering Graduate Programs, U.S. News & World Report
Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, U.S. News & World Report
Earthshaking Discoveries
A group of Mines researchers have been working on a bioreactor that incorporates gas exchange technology to create plastic feedstock for 3D printing. With funding from NASA, Johan Vanneste, research associate professor in civil and environmental engineering, and Junko Munakata Marr, department head of civil and environmental engineering, are leading a team of graduate students in partnership with bioplastic producer startup Mango Materials.