Golden,
CO,
United States
Type
Public
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree
PhD in Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering in Denver United States | Colorado School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines
|
Denver United States
Visit institution website
for more information
Qualification
Doctor of Philosophy
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
USD
42,840
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
36 months
The doctoral program mandates identical foundational courses as the Master's program, totaling 42 credit hours of coursework. Doctoral candidates must additionally pass comprehensive qualifying examinations, develop and defend a dissertation proposal, and ultimately compose and defend their final dissertation. At least 24 credit hours must be dedicated to original research that significantly progresses the field, with findings published in academic journals and trade publications. Students may fulfill a three-month professional internship requirement or opt for an industry-oriented research project through independent study.
Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering (UCTE) represents a multidisciplinary domain that principally integrates civil, geological, and mining engineering, while also drawing from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, geophysics, and geology. This specialization focuses on designing, building, renovating, and maintaining subterranean structures such as tunnels, shafts, and caverns for transportation, utilities, and commercial applications. UCTE presents unique challenges including intricate soil-rock interactions, groundwater dynamics, excavation techniques, material science, structural engineering considerations, geological variability, and stringent deformation limits in urban settings. Graduate students in UCTE acquire comprehensive, cross-disciplinary expertise in these critical areas.
Destination of Study
Subjects of Study
Language Requirements
English
IELTS 6.5
Qualification Requirements
Students apply to the Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering (UCTE) graduate degree program through the Graduate School and are assigned to the UCTE participating department of the student's UCTE advisor. Participating departments include Geology and Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Prerequisite Courses
Students applying to the UCTE program must have a baccalaureate degree in a science or engineering discipline as well as the following coursework:
Strength of Materials (or Mechanics of Materials)
Fluid Mechanics.
These prerequisite courses may be completed during the first semester of the graduate program if approved by UCTE faculty.
The required coursework includes graduate-level soil and rock mechanics as well as aspects of structural analysis and groundwater engineering. It is permissible for students to take these courses without having completed undergraduate courses in soil mechanics, rock mechanics, structural analysis and groundwater engineering, however, students may choose to complete undergraduate courses in these topics prior to or during enrollment in graduate program courses. The prerequisite courses do not count towards the requirements for the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees. Students are encouraged to consult with UCTE faculty for guidance in this matter.
Bachelor's degree: Required
GRE: Not Required
Letters of Recommendation: Required three letters.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Required
Statement of Purpose: Required
Transcript(s): Required. Must be submitted for all schools attended (unofficial transcripts accepted for admissions review and must show successful completion of any required prerequisite course(s).
TOFEL IBT-(Reading- 20, Listening 21, Writing 17, Speaking- 21) Score- 79
IELTS Minimum overall band of 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
Prerequisite Courses
Students applying to the UCTE program must have a baccalaureate degree in a science or engineering discipline as well as the following coursework:
Strength of Materials (or Mechanics of Materials)
Fluid Mechanics.
These prerequisite courses may be completed during the first semester of the graduate program if approved by UCTE faculty.
The required coursework includes graduate-level soil and rock mechanics as well as aspects of structural analysis and groundwater engineering. It is permissible for students to take these courses without having completed undergraduate courses in soil mechanics, rock mechanics, structural analysis and groundwater engineering, however, students may choose to complete undergraduate courses in these topics prior to or during enrollment in graduate program courses. The prerequisite courses do not count towards the requirements for the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees. Students are encouraged to consult with UCTE faculty for guidance in this matter.
Bachelor's degree: Required
GRE: Not Required
Letters of Recommendation: Required three letters.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Required
Statement of Purpose: Required
Transcript(s): Required. Must be submitted for all schools attended (unofficial transcripts accepted for admissions review and must show successful completion of any required prerequisite course(s).
TOFEL IBT-(Reading- 20, Listening 21, Writing 17, Speaking- 21) Score- 79
IELTS Minimum overall band of 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
Tuition
USD
42,840