1991-1993 Catalog - Catalogs - West Virginia University

College of Mineral and Energy ResourcesJohn L Schroder, Jr., M.S.E.M. (WVU), Dean.Royce J. Watts, M.S. (WVU), Associate Dean—Administration/Academic Affairs.DegreesBachelor of Science in Engineering of MinesBachelor of Science in Petroleum EngineeringBachelor of Science with a major in Mineral Processing EngineeringNature of ProgramMineral engineering graduates enjoy a multitude of career opportunities in ournation's most vital industries as the demand for well trained professionals in thevarious specialization areas continues to be very strong. As minerals and fossil fuelsbecome more scarce, international politics force a greater emphasis upon self reliancein these areas, and the mineral engineer's role continues to grow in significance andimportance.Mining engineering is the profession which is responsible for the extraction ofsolid fuels and minerals, such as coal, oil shales, precious metals, and ores of iron,copper, aluminum, and uranium, etc., from the earth's crust in ways which protect theenvironment and the people involved while allowing maximum recovery of our nonrenewablenatural resources.Petroleum and natural gas engineering students are trained in the finding, drilling,production, and transportation of oil and natural gas.Mineral processing engineering is a broad field that encompasses all areasinvolving the handling and treatment of ores, minerals, and solid fuels after extractionfrom the earth's crust to prepare them for marketing or further use. Topics studiedinclude coal cleaning and preparation, energy conversion processes, environmentaland economic concerns, mineral beneficiation, and extractive metallurgy.Mineral resource economics studies the economics of the mineral industries,commodity markets, and the economic evaluation of resources in their broaderaspects as affected by engineering technology, earth sciences, and national policy.Thus it ties together the geology of resources, the engineering of extraction andconversion processes, and the demands of industrial societies through mineralmarkets and trade. The particular strength of this discipline is the use of models toanalyze mineral policy impacts and provide forecasts of future mineral related economicbehavior.The College of Mineral and Energy Resources is in close proximity to majorindustrial, mining, and petroleum and natural gas producing areas. A number of thelargest coal, oil, and gas companies throughout the nation provide meaningful andfinancially rewarding summer employment for students enrolled in the college'sprograms. These training opportunities have often led to professional positions upongraduation. The college has cooperative programs with several companies whichpermit the students to attend WVU one semester and work for the company the othersemester.ABET AccreditationThe Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is recognizedby the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Post- secondary Accreditation(COPA) as the sole agency responsible for accreditation of educational programsleading to degrees in engineering. ABET accomplishes its accreditation missionthrough one of its commissions, the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC).The Engineering of Mines and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering baccalaureateprograms are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of theAccreditation Board of Engineering and Technology.264 College of Mineral and Energy Resources