Why Study Mining Engineering at Columbia?
As a student here, you’ll benefit from:
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Global Energy Transition Focus
Tackle the pressing challenge of sourcing minerals for renewable energy technologies and infrastructure.
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Modernized, Industry-Aligned Curriculum
Our curriculum has been specially designed to reflect current industry practices, incorporating technical advances, emerging trends and vital soft skills such as strong teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.
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A Legacy of Leadership
Columbia's School of Mines, founded in 1864, laid the groundwork for engineering education in the U.S. Our Mining program continues that tradition with a renewed focus on climate and sustainability.
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Sustainability-Centered Engineering
Learn to integrate environmental stewardship and community engagement into every phase of the mining lifecycle.
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Enhanced Career Prospects
This specialized training will distinguish you from other engineering graduates, making you a highly sought-after professional in the mining industry.
Our dedicated Assistant Director of Graduate Career Placement can provide you with expert advice both during your studies and after graduation. You’ll receive personalized career guidance, application support, tailored workshops, and access to exclusive job opportunities within the earth and environmental engineering sector and beyond.
With strong industry connections, we also facilitate networking events and internships that give you the experience and confidence to stand out in the competitive job market.
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Major or Minor in Mining Engineering
If you are interested in our department but want to major in another field, you can still minor in Mining Engineering. Due to our broad and multidisciplinary scope, a number of our courses are already required across other engineering departments. As well as developing interdisciplinary knowledge, this structure will ensure your workload is manageable.
What Will I Learn?
Our curriculum integrates fundamental math and science with technical mining engineering practices. You’ll also take nontechnical classes across Columbia’s Core Curriculum. Developing this interdisciplinary knowledge will prepare you to navigate the complex challenges faced by tomorrow’s industry leaders.
Requirements
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Application Requirements
What we look for:
- Transcripts and school reports. We accept all secondary school qualifications (AP, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge A Levels, National School curricula, etc.). We do not have standardized requirements or “cut-off” test scores for first-year admission but we do expect to see coursework in physics and calculus.
- Teacher recommendations. We would like to learn more about your contributions in the classroom and at school, as well as what you might offer to your Columbia classmates.
- Responses to our Columbia-specific application questions. Your answers will provide us with insight into your intellectual interests and the way in which your curiosity and sense of community might translate to Columbia’s campus.
- A personal statement. We review applications in context, taking into account the multiple, intersecting ways that you have been shaped by your family circumstances. Understanding who you are, what your home responsibilities are, whether you have experienced any systemic and situational barriers and advantages will ensure we can review your application fairly and accurately.
- English language proficiency. If your home language is not English or if your secondary school studies were predominantly in another language, you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. Visit our English Proficiency Requirements for accepted exams and minimum score requirements.
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Degree Requirements
BS in Mining Engineering
To graduate from our BS program you must complete:
- 18 credits (approximately six courses) of technical Mining Engineering electives during your final two years.
- The Columbia liberal arts core. This is typically satisfied during the first two years, although you can undertake non-technical electives during your final two years.
Minor in Mining Engineering
To earn a minor in Mining Engineering, you must complete:
- Six courses selected from a specified list approved by your undergraduate advisor.
Undergraduate Financial Aid
What matters most to us is your ability to thrive at Columbia.
We offer plenty of financial options to support you through your journey with us. Learn more about the types of aid that are available.
Combined Plan
Find out how you can earn a Liberal Arts degree at your current university and also a BS in Earth and Environmental Engineering from Columbia University.
Careers & Outcomes
With global career opportunities in mining operations, consulting, and environmental management, you won’t just find a job—you’ll join a mission to redefine the future of global energy. Whether working deep underground, in remote landscapes or in cutting-edge offices around the world, your career options as a mining engineer will be both diverse and impactful.
Your training also provides a strong foundation for graduate studies. Many graduates pursue MS and PhD programs in mining, chemical, computer, climate, electrical, and environmental engineering. They have also launched successful careers in transferrable fields such as law, policy, finance, consulting, and medicine.
Department Faculty
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Daniel Steingart | Image
Bolun Xu |
Research and Work Experience Opportunities
Hands-on experience
At Columbia, you don’t have to wait until you graduate to start making a contribution. There are lots of opportunities to gain hands-on experience through research projects and summer internships.
Our faculty-run laboratories always need students to support them with their cutting-edge research spanning across areas such as electrochemical energy, carbon capture, climate modeling, materials recycling, and more.
Student Research Opportunities
Entrepreneurship
Considering launching a startup during your studies or after you graduate? Columbia Engineering Innovation, Design & Entrepreneurship team can help you develop the business acumen to successfully launch your venture.
The team offers specialist entrepreneurship courses, bootcamps, networking opportunities and spaces for prototyping and testing. They also organize competitions with opportunities to win seed funding. This community of talented professors, students and alumni will give you the network of support needed to achieve your entrepreneurial goals.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Related Programs
MS in Earth and Environmental Engineering
This MS program explores the most imminent challenges of our time - from sustainable energy and carbon management to safe and secure water and responsible resource management.
BS in Earth and Environmental Engineering
Prepare to apply the tools of engineering to address complex environmental challenges.
Fresh from their win at the Millard Chan Tech Challenge, the team behind MilkShaker demonstrated a practical and science-backed solution to prevent mastitis, providing professional level care without sacrificing time or requiring special training. Another group of seniors in the Department of Mechanical Engineering showcased a prototype for the CareCruiser, a wheelchair-to-stroller attachment designed to give wheelchair-using parents and caregivers greater independence when navigating with strollers and carseats.
Several projects also tackled infrastructure design, including a civil engineering and engineering mechanics team that unveiled Rethinking Resilience. The project envisions a new sustainable, flood-resilient train station to replace the existing Ardsley-on-Hudson station along the MTA’s Metro-North Hudson Line.
And in the gaming arena, a team from the Department of Electrical Engineering demonstrated their physical tank game using modified remote-controlled cars. By reconfiguring the electronics of remote-controlled cars, the team enabled Bluetooth-based control of both the motors and onboard lasers. Players score by hitting opposing cars with laser pulses, while any car that gets hit is temporarily disabled with a five-second freeze penalty.
Dean Shih-Fu Chang greeted the students and commended them on their year-long efforts. “You all have started with an idea and brought it to life. That’s what engineers do! We bring ideas to life . . . Today’s showcase truly represents our Engineering for Humanity vision. This is a milestone in your Columbia experience and one I hope you remember for years to come.”
Each year, Columbia Engineering seniors work on a capstone project, aka Senior Design. They are challenged to solve real-world problems with innovative solutions, rooted in their foundational math, science and engineering courses.
Here’s a look at some of the students and their innovations at Senior Design Expo 2025.
Scenes from Senior Design Expo ‘25
Credit: Timothy Lee/Columbia Engineering
Masthead Caption: A student tries on LenScribe, a compact set of 3D-printed glasses designed for audio input, speech processing, and visual display
Masthead Credit: Timothy Lee/Columbia Engineering
Event highlights
Credit: Diane Bondareff/Columbia University
Recognizing the importance of open conversations about career journeys, Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang and Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong, both joined the event; Dean Chang gave introductory remarks and President Armstrong kicked off the discussion and shared her own experience as a woman in STEM.
Armstrong talked about her unconventional career path– from studying architecture as an undergraduate to completing medical school and ultimately rising through the ranks in higher education in leadership roles at the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and now, at Columbia. She encouraged attendees to regularly check in with themselves, emphasizing the importance of making changes before reaching burnout. She also highlighted the value of finding what works for each individual. She shared a personal anecdote about how she became known for letting her kids sleep in their school clothes instead of pajamas—a simple adjustment that made hectic mornings a little easier.
“The best advice I ever received was to be yourself because you're not going to change who you are,” Armstrong said. “And if you try to be somebody else, you're going to be so much less effective than just being who you are.”
Building connections
The second half of the event consisted of breakout sessions between small groups of students and women faculty members from across Columbia. With cups of coffee in hand, students and professors–women in STEM– exchanged stories, laughter, and insights.
A common theme professors shared with students was the importance of advocating for yourself and pursuing what you're passionate about. University Professor and Mikati Foundation Professor of Biomedical Engineering Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic emphasized that when you truly love what you do, it never feels like work—even when challenges arise. Christine Hendon, associate professor of electrical engineering, encouraged students to believe in themselves, even when others doubt their ideas.
"If someone says it won’t work, figure it out, run some simulations, test for tolerance analysis, and if it looks feasible—go for it," Hendon said. "When you finally get to the point where it works, it’s the best feeling ever.”
In this relaxed setting, conversations flowed and what started as casual chats soon turned into meaningful discussions about careers, research, and personal experiences.
“This event showcases the magic of Columbia,” said Githika, “and how there is a community that wants to not just collaborate with each other, but grow with each other.”
Lead Photo Caption: Columbia faculty, students and staff gathered in Carleton Commons March 7 for a special networking opportunity for women in STEM.
Lead Photo Credit: Diane Bondareff/Columbia University