A new online graduate certificate program at Colorado School of Mines will prepare working
professional engineers to transition their career into the specialty of underground construction
and tunneling with three signature courses needed to work in this complex interdisciplinary
industry.
Launching in Spring 2021, the Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering Online
Graduate Certificate will address the unique needs of one of the fastest growing global
industries. While underground projects—especially large and complex builds—require all
manner of engineers, those with specialized training in underground construction and tunnel
engineering (UCTE) have greater opportunities to take part in and lead these efforts.
In this legally themed episode, Professor Dix draws on almost 30 years global legal experience as a disaster investigator, lawyer and barrister with his candid insights and advice on empowering underground professionals in the use of risk assessment and risk engineering techniques to manage their personal/professional legal risks
“Urbanization is driving underground development,” says Mike Mooney, Grewcock Chair
Professor of Underground Construction & Tunneling and Director of the UCTE graduate
program. “Urban areas have less room and need more infrastructure—water, wastewater,
stormwater, energy, utilities, and data centers. Underground provides huge opportunity to
make cities livable. By providing this new certificate option to engineering professionals, we will
enable them to gain specialized skills in a thriving industry.”
The core courses in the two-semester, 10-credit program will be comprised of three signature
courses delivered by faculty from three departments: CEEE, GEGN and MN. MNGN 504 and
CEEN 523 are the certificate anchor courses, teaching UCTE in hard rock and soft ground,
respectively. Underground Construction Engineering Management will teach construction
management principles specifically for UCTE projects.
“UCTE is an interdisciplinary mix of structural, geotechnical and construction disciplines from
civil engineering, excavation and material handling from mining engineering, and
ground/groundwater characterization from geological engineering” says Mooney. Our UCTE
graduate program blends the key components from our civil, mining and geological engineering
degree programs.
The UCTE Online Graduate Certificate program is targeted toward both recent bachelor degree
graduates looking to expand their knowledge base and employment opportunities, as well as
working professionals who have recognized the need to specialize in underground construction
and tunnel design given the high industry demand and the complexity of projects. Applications
for Spring 2021 will be accepted through January 4th, 2021. For more information, go to:
