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What will I learn in a metallurgical engineering degree program?
The bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineeringtrains you to apply technology in converting natural mineral resources into useful products for society. The metallurgical engineering major covers three areas:
- Mineral processing: The engineer takes advantage of differences in physical and/or chemical properties to develop, manage and control processes for liberating, separating and concentrating valuable minerals or metals from ores.
- Extractive metallurgy: The engineer produces and purifies metals from concentrates and ores, plus metal recycling using hydrometallurgy (aqueous processing), bio-hydrometallurgy, electrometallurgy (electrochemical processing) and pyrometallurgy (high-temperature processing).
- Physical metallurgy: The engineer processes metals into products by various means, such as casting, forging, extrusion and powder techniques. He/she controls engineering properties of metals, such as strength, hardness and fatigue, by alloying, annealing and heat treatment.
In order to learn to process and extract ores to concentrate, then refine their valuable components, you will take courses in advanced chemistry; metallurgical process, modeling and control; pyrometallurgy, and hydrometallurgy. Our graduates are ready to work in industry, research and management or go on to further study in graduate school.
Learning outcomes
Students majoring in metallurgical engineering learn to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in the mathematics, science, and engineering areas necessary to identify, formulate, and solve practical engineering problems.
- Demonstrate proficiency in engineering topics related to metallurgical engineering
- Demonstrate the ability to plan and design a technically sound extractive metallurgical and mineral process in an ethically, environmentally, and socially responsible manner. Moreover, students will be able to communicate plans, designs, and operational practices to mine representatives, regulators, and the public
- Prepare for entry-level positions in the operations and management of metallurgical and mineral processes, or for graduate-level study in engineering
Graduate with industry-ready experience
Practical experience is a key part of our program. Our department maintains close relationships with the mineral industry, and as a student, you'll participate in field trips throughout your courses. Students are required to work in the minerals industry during at least one summer break. During your senior year, students take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, administered by a State Board of Engineering Registration, which is the first step toward professional licensure.
Specializations in the metallurgical engineering program
Students majoring in an engineering major (except metallurgical engineering) may choose to minor in metallurgical engineering to expand their skills in metallurgy.
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Careers with a degree in metallurgical engineering
Metallurgical engineers involved in extractive metallurgy work in laboratories, ore treatment plants, refineries, and steel mills. Though steel, iron and precious metals are common; the metallurgical engineers can also attain specializations in aluminum, copper, metal fabrication, exotic alloys and applications.
Metallurgical engineers are considered a type of materials engineer by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which reports a median annual salary of $98,300 in 2021 for that occupation. The BLS projects that metallurgical engineers with internship experience and computer modeling skills should see highest demand for their skills in coming years.
A degree in metallurgical engineering can also prepare you for a career as a mining engineer, specializing in the extraction and processing of metals. According to the BLS, mining engineers had a median annual salary of $97,090 in 2021.
You can afford the 推荐杏吧原创
76% of students receive financial aid
Almost everyone is eligible to receive some kind of aid. We offer need-based and merit-based forms of financial aid to help you afford college.
54% of all students graduate with no debt
That's right. More than half of our students leave the 推荐杏吧原创 with no student debt.
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