Mine Geotechnical Engineering - 5059
Program Summary
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering
Contact: School
Campus: Sydney
Career: Postgraduate
Typical Duration: 1 Years 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC Per Semester: 6
Max UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC For Award: 48
View program information for previous years
Program Description
The Graduate Diploma of Mine Geotechnical Engineering will be awarded after successful completion of 48 Units of Credit points of coursework. A majority of the courses will be offered as modules over a short block period to permit employees of mining companies and associated service providers to attend on a part-time basis. Please note that some electives may only be offered every two years.
NOTE: This program does not allow international students to enrol on a student visa.
Entry Requirements
Access to mine site information is essential to complete the requirements of these programs. Access to information from an underground metal mine is essential for completion of the Graduate Diploma in Underground Ground Control.
The possible entry paths are as follows:
(1) Entry requires a degree in Mining Engineering or Civil Engineering or Geosciences disciplines (3 or 4 years) from a recognised institution. A credit average is required over the final two (2) years of the degree.
Significant industry experience in underground mining is strongly recommended. OR
(2)Those with limited tertiary qualifications, at least two years of relevant responsible industry experience or with permission from the Head of School or Director of Postgraduate Studies (Coursework).
An entry portfolio is required with information as detailed below.
International students who qualify for entry are accepted.
NOTE: If students lose or change jobs and no longer have mine site access, the School will work with the students affected to arrange ongoing access to a mine site, or mine site data, so as to enable the opportunity for successful completion of the courses and related assessment tasks. This may include ongoing access agreed with their past employer, or access to an alternate site or site database being arranged. As such, there is no requirement for the students to have to change streams or programs on this account.
Portfolio requirements
A portfolio is to be provided to support the application for Graduate Diploma in Mine Geotechnical Engineering, including the following:
NOTE: This program does not allow international students to enrol on a student visa.
Entry Requirements
Access to mine site information is essential to complete the requirements of these programs. Access to information from an underground metal mine is essential for completion of the Graduate Diploma in Underground Ground Control.
The possible entry paths are as follows:
(1) Entry requires a degree in Mining Engineering or Civil Engineering or Geosciences disciplines (3 or 4 years) from a recognised institution. A credit average is required over the final two (2) years of the degree.
Significant industry experience in underground mining is strongly recommended. OR
(2)Those with limited tertiary qualifications, at least two years of relevant responsible industry experience or with permission from the Head of School or Director of Postgraduate Studies (Coursework).
An entry portfolio is required with information as detailed below.
International students who qualify for entry are accepted.
NOTE: If students lose or change jobs and no longer have mine site access, the School will work with the students affected to arrange ongoing access to a mine site, or mine site data, so as to enable the opportunity for successful completion of the courses and related assessment tasks. This may include ongoing access agreed with their past employer, or access to an alternate site or site database being arranged. As such, there is no requirement for the students to have to change streams or programs on this account.
Portfolio requirements
A portfolio is to be provided to support the application for Graduate Diploma in Mine Geotechnical Engineering, including the following:
- A cover letter explaining your motivation to work in the mining industry and proposed study program at UNSW. The letter should tell us about your interests and achievements and be no more than 400 words.
- Details on maths courses completed, year of completion and level (eg. Year 12 general maths, Year 12 maths extension, University maths course details). Note that depending on the program and courses of study in mining engineering, assumed knowledge may include one or more of the following: maths, physics, chemistry. Further details can be obtained from postgrad.mining@unsw.edu.au on assumed knowledge for specific programs and courses, and recommendations for bridging courses.
- Contact details of two referees, including at least one past or current employer. A letter from an employer verifying the role performed would be highly regarded to support the consideration of relevant industry experience.
- Evidence of relevant training including degree transcripts and VET training certificates.
Relevant industry experience is defined by the UNSW School of Mining Engineering as professional and/or industry responsibility in mining or mining associated services. Students wishing to apply on relevant industry experience must include the items above as well as:
- A CV that provides information on industry responsibility including employer, dates employed in each position and a description of the position roles (no more than 50 words for each position).
- Information that demonstrates aptitude for learning and relevant experience including evidence and details of employer sponsored training and Vocational Education and Training (VET). This may include brief summaries (no more than 2,000 words total) of selected projects outlining your leadership and/or substantial contribution. Projects may include one or more of the following examples: mine safety responsibility, mine planning and production responsibility, technical or financial evaluations and reports (eg. risk management, strata control or slope stability or environmental assessments).
The portfolio is to be provided in electronic format directly to the UNSW School of Mining Engineering (postgrad.mining@unsw.edu.au) at the same time that your application for postgraduate coursework study is submitted to UNSW “Apply online”. No hardcopy portfolios will be accepted. An entry interview may be required.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes of the program are consistent with the UNSW learning outcomes for Graduate Diploma coursework programs.
1) Disciplinary knowledge and practices
Graduates will have acquired disciplinary knowledge and skills in Mining Engineering, and an ability to apply these in a range of contexts.
Students should be able to:
The learning outcomes of the program are consistent with the UNSW learning outcomes for Graduate Diploma coursework programs.
1) Disciplinary knowledge and practices
Graduates will have acquired disciplinary knowledge and skills in Mining Engineering, and an ability to apply these in a range of contexts.
Students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the disciplinary body of knowledge, including established theories and recent developments relevant to Mining Engineering.
- Apply disciplinary principles and practices to new or complex environments.
2) Enquiry-based learning
Graduates will have developed an understanding of enquiry-based learning and demonstrate analytical skills.
Students should be able to:
Graduates will have developed an understanding of enquiry-based learning and demonstrate analytical skills.
Students should be able to:
- Apply enquiry-based learning and ways of thinking to new disciplinary and/or professional contexts.
3) Cognitive skills and critical thinking
Graduates will have developed critical thinking and problem solving skills in Mining Engineering.
Students should be able to:
Graduates will have developed critical thinking and problem solving skills in Mining Engineering.
Students should be able to:
- Investigate, generate and synthesise ideas and concepts at an abstract and/or applied level.
- Critically evaluate contemporary debates and literatures in Mining Engineering.
- Analyse problems or issues, articulate appropriate solutions and justify propositions and/or professional decisions.
4) Communication, adaptive and interactional skills
Graduates will be able to communicate effectively to a range of audiences, and be capable of independent and collaborative enquiry and working effectively with others.
Students should be able to:
Graduates will be able to communicate effectively to a range of audiences, and be capable of independent and collaborative enquiry and working effectively with others.
Students should be able to:
- Communicate complex ideas in a variety of formats to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrate a level of personal autonomy and accountability in the acquisition or application of knowledge or skills.
- Demonstrate an understanding of, and the ability to apply, the principles of teamwork and collaboration.
5) Global outlook
Graduates will have an awareness of international issues within Mining Engineering.
Students should be able to:
Graduates will have an awareness of international issues within Mining Engineering.
Students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of international perspectives relevant to Mining Engineering.
Program Structure
In summary, this program requires a total of 48 UOC with eight (8) core courses to be completed from one (1) stream that includes Foundational discipline courses, Additional Disciplinary courses and at least one (1) Advanced Disciplinary course. Students must do a minimum of one (1) stream from the list below of specialisations:
Student enrolment in courses must be consistent with the relevant Stream rules.
Please note that some electives may be offered only every two years. A course calendar indicating current block and distance options is available from the UNSW School of Mining Engineering website
Please note that some electives may be offered only every two years. A course calendar indicating current block and distance options is available from the UNSW School of Mining Engineering website
Academic Rules
(a) Assumed Knowledge
Assumed knowledge is specific to specialisations and courses that are selected and may include one or more of the following: maths, physics, chemistry. Details on assumed knowledge of specific courses are available from the UNSW handbook course description or Program Authority.
Assumed knowledge for the Graduate Diploma in Underground Ground Control and Graduate Diploma in Coal Mine Strata Control is MATHS1011, MATHS1131 or equivalent first year university maths course.
If students have NOT undertaken this level of maths they will NOT have achieved the recommended level of assumed knowledge. It may not prevent them from enrolling but students will be placed at a considerable disadvantage.
(b) Exemptions: Recognised prior learning (RPL) may be available towards the program award for selected courses within the program. A maximum of 12 UOC of RPL will be considered on application to the Program Authority, and according to the UNSW RPL Procedure. Criteria for approval will include: equivalent course duration at a recognised institution, equivalent course content and assessment.
(c) Electives: A set of electives developed specifically for this program will be available to the students to choose from. Selection of Electives from outside this set will require approval of the program authority.
(d) Award of the Degree: A student who completes the requirements for the degree shall receive at graduation a testamur for the degree of Graduate Diploma of Mine Geotechnical Engineering.
(e) Administration of the Program: The program will be administered by the School of Mining Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering.
(f) Course Delivery: The courses for this program will be delivered by the School of Mining Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering.
(g) Enrolment: An application to enrol as a candidate for the Graduate Diploma shall be lodged with the Registrar at least two calendar months before the commencement of the first semester.
Assumed knowledge is specific to specialisations and courses that are selected and may include one or more of the following: maths, physics, chemistry. Details on assumed knowledge of specific courses are available from the UNSW handbook course description or Program Authority.
Assumed knowledge for the Graduate Diploma in Underground Ground Control and Graduate Diploma in Coal Mine Strata Control is MATHS1011, MATHS1131 or equivalent first year university maths course.
If students have NOT undertaken this level of maths they will NOT have achieved the recommended level of assumed knowledge. It may not prevent them from enrolling but students will be placed at a considerable disadvantage.
(b) Exemptions: Recognised prior learning (RPL) may be available towards the program award for selected courses within the program. A maximum of 12 UOC of RPL will be considered on application to the Program Authority, and according to the UNSW RPL Procedure. Criteria for approval will include: equivalent course duration at a recognised institution, equivalent course content and assessment.
(c) Electives: A set of electives developed specifically for this program will be available to the students to choose from. Selection of Electives from outside this set will require approval of the program authority.
(d) Award of the Degree: A student who completes the requirements for the degree shall receive at graduation a testamur for the degree of Graduate Diploma of Mine Geotechnical Engineering.
(e) Administration of the Program: The program will be administered by the School of Mining Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering.
(f) Course Delivery: The courses for this program will be delivered by the School of Mining Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering.
(g) Enrolment: An application to enrol as a candidate for the Graduate Diploma shall be lodged with the Registrar at least two calendar months before the commencement of the first semester.
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: UNSW Fee Website.
Assumed Knowledge
Assumed knowledge is specific to specialisations and courses that are selected and may include one or more of the following: maths, physics, chemistry. Details on assumed knowledge of specific courses are available from the UNSW handbook course description or Program Authority.
Area(s) of Specialisation
Study Levels
UNSW Quick Links
