Mineral Resources Engineering Programme at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Mineral Resources Engineering Mineral Resources Engineering Programme at Universiti Sains Programme at Universiti Sains

MalaysiaMalaysia

School of Materials and Mineral School of Materials and Mineral Resources EngineeringResources Engineering

There are 3 programmes within the school:There are 3 programmes within the school:

Mineral Resources EngineeringMineral Resources Engineering

Materials EngineeringMaterials Engineering

Polymer EngineeringPolymer Engineering

HistoryHistory

Prior to 1984, A Bachelor of Applied Science and Prior to 1984, A Bachelor of Applied Science and Mineral Technology was offered at USMMineral Technology was offered at USM

In 1984, an Engineering programme for the In 1984, an Engineering programme for the Mineral Industry was introduced namely the B. Eng Mineral Industry was introduced namely the B. Eng (Hons) Mineral Resources Engineering.(Hons) Mineral Resources Engineering.

It is a four-year programme. Qualification to enter It is a four-year programme. Qualification to enter is satisfactory result in the HSC, matriculation or is satisfactory result in the HSC, matriculation or Diploma.Diploma.

USM started the School of Materials and Mineral USM started the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering in 1984 in Pulau Pinang. Resources Engineering in 1984 in Pulau Pinang. In 1986 moved to a temporary campus in Ipoh. In In 1986 moved to a temporary campus in Ipoh. In 1990 move to a permanent campus in Tronoh.1990 move to a permanent campus in Tronoh.

Then the whole campus moved to new site in Then the whole campus moved to new site in Nibong Tebal when UTP bought the Tronoh Nibong Tebal when UTP bought the Tronoh campus from USM.campus from USM.

Initially the course was run by lecturers in Geology Initially the course was run by lecturers in Geology and Chemistry background. Ironically none from and Chemistry background. Ironically none from the graduates of the former B Sc in Applied the graduates of the former B Sc in Applied Science and Mineral Technology USM formed the Science and Mineral Technology USM formed the teaching staff.teaching staff.

Initially not much input from mining engineers Initially not much input from mining engineers except from the late Dr Hussin (Director of the except from the late Dr Hussin (Director of the Mines Research Institute of the Department of Mines Research Institute of the Department of Mines Malaysia) and a few other mining engineers Mines Malaysia) and a few other mining engineers on part time basis.on part time basis.

Mining engineers are not attracted to work at Mining engineers are not attracted to work at USM mainly the pay at a government USM mainly the pay at a government university are not attractive.university are not attractive.

Also many (include some mining engineers) Also many (include some mining engineers) thought that mining is a sunset industrythought that mining is a sunset industry

USM maybe the only university in the world and USM maybe the only university in the world and Malaysia that offered a programme in mineral Malaysia that offered a programme in mineral resources engineering. resources engineering.

An external examiner commented the programme An external examiner commented the programme is about equivalent 70% of the Mining Engineering is about equivalent 70% of the Mining Engineering degree in the University of New South Wales.degree in the University of New South Wales.

Other universities (outside Malaysia) offer courses Other universities (outside Malaysia) offer courses in mining engineering, mineral process in mining engineering, mineral process engineering or mineral engineering.engineering or mineral engineering.

In a way it could be a blessing in disguise. In the In a way it could be a blessing in disguise. In the 80s the word mining in Malaysia is not that 80s the word mining in Malaysia is not that popular. popular.

Curricullum for the B.Eng (Hons) Mineral Resources EngineeringCurricullum for the B.Eng (Hons) Mineral Resources Engineering

11stst Year Year 22ndnd Year Year 33rdrd Year Year 44thth Year Year

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Engineering Engineering MathematicsMathematics

Engineering MechanicsEngineering Mechanics

Engineering MaterialsEngineering Materials

Engineering GeologyEngineering Geology

Engineering DrawingEngineering Drawing

Numerical methods and Numerical methods and Engineering StatisticsEngineering Statistics

Physical ChemistryPhysical Chemistry

Electrical TechnologyElectrical Technology

Strength of MaterialsStrength of Materials

Engineering PracticeEngineering Practice

Fluid MechanicsFluid Mechanics

Mineral DepositsMineral Deposits

MineralogyMineralogy

Geomatics EngineeringGeomatics Engineering

ComputerComputer

Mining Engineering Mining Engineering LaboratoryLaboratory

Comminution and SizingComminution and Sizing

Introduction to Mining Introduction to Mining EngineeringEngineering

Ore Microscopy and Ore Microscopy and PetrologyPetrology

Engineers in SocietyEngineers in Society

Physical Mineral Physical Mineral ProcessingProcessing

Mining Methods and LawMining Methods and Law

HydrometallurgyHydrometallurgy

Analytical ChemistryAnalytical Chemistry

Materials Transport Materials Transport EngineeringEngineering

Mineral EconomicsMineral Economics

Geochemical ExplorationGeochemical Exploration

PyrometallurgyPyrometallurgy

Mineral Processing Mineral Processing LaboratoryLaboratory

Industrial TrainingIndustrial Training

Mine and Plant DesignMine and Plant Design

GeomechanicsGeomechanics

Environmental Environmental EngineeringEngineering

Blasting TechnologyBlasting Technology

Final year ProjectFinal year Project

Un

iversity

Un

iversity

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Preliminary English Preliminary English LanguageLanguage

Bahasa MalaysiaBahasa Malaysia

Academic English Academic English languagelanguage

Ethnic RelationsEthnic Relations

Islamic Civilisation & AsiaIslamic Civilisation & Asia

English Language/OptionEnglish Language/Option

Bahasa MalaysiaBahasa Malaysia

Cocurriculum/OptionCocurriculum/Option

Skill courses/OptionSkill courses/Option

English Language for English Language for Technical and Technical and EngineeringEngineering

Ele

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Mineral Chemistry Mineral Chemistry LaboratoryLaboratory

Characterization of Characterization of Engineering MaterialsEngineering Materials

Engineering GeophysicsEngineering Geophysics

Process ControlProcess Control

Industrial MineralsIndustrial Minerals

Occupational Safety and Occupational Safety and HealthHealth

Petroleum EngineeringPetroleum Engineering

Environmental Chemistry Environmental Chemistry for Engineering Practicefor Engineering Practice

By looking at the curriculum now, it is the same as By looking at the curriculum now, it is the same as that of any mining engineering course in other that of any mining engineering course in other universities.universities.

So the mineral resources engineering at USM are So the mineral resources engineering at USM are accredited and the PE will be registered under the accredited and the PE will be registered under the mineral resources engineering discipline.mineral resources engineering discipline.

Graduates of Mineral Resources Engineering after Graduates of Mineral Resources Engineering after graduation work as:graduation work as:

Mining EngineerMining EngineerQuarry EngineerQuarry EngineerBlasting EngineerBlasting EngineerMineral Processing EngineerMineral Processing EngineerExtractive metallurgistExtractive metallurgistDrilling Engineer with Petroleum companiesDrilling Engineer with Petroleum companiesSafety EngineerSafety Engineer

Academic requirement for students to graduateAcademic requirement for students to graduate1 unit or 1credit-hour is defined as 1 contact hour per week 1 unit or 1credit-hour is defined as 1 contact hour per week for 14 weeks in 1 semester.for 14 weeks in 1 semester.

Core CoursesCore Courses 108 units108 unitsUniversity requirementUniversity requirement 15 units 15 unitsElective CoursesElective Courses 12 units 12 unitsTotalTotal 135 units135 units

Engineering Accreditation Council Requirement = 120 unitsEngineering Accreditation Council Requirement = 120 unitsEngineering Accreditation Council (EAC) is made up of:Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) is made up of:

Lembaga Jurutera MalaysiaLembaga Jurutera MalaysiaJabatan Perkhidmatan AwamJabatan Perkhidmatan AwamLembaga Akreditasi NegaraLembaga Akreditasi Negara

To graduate – A Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0+ To graduate – A Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0+ is requred.is requred.

Short coursesShort courses

Industrial mineralsIndustrial minerals

GeologyGeology

Blasting and quarryingBlasting and quarrying

Cement processingCement processing

Complains from the quarrying industry is that USM Complains from the quarrying industry is that USM mineral resources engineering graduates do not mineral resources engineering graduates do not stay long. The main reason is that they are paid stay long. The main reason is that they are paid quite low as compared to their peers working in the quite low as compared to their peers working in the mines and factories or even in the government mines and factories or even in the government sector or teachers.sector or teachers.

So they don’t focus and try to get jobs at the So they don’t focus and try to get jobs at the industries or being a teacher.industries or being a teacher.

Thus we loss the manpower trained in mining and Thus we loss the manpower trained in mining and quarrying to other industry such as manufacturing.quarrying to other industry such as manufacturing.

THANK YOUTHANK YOU