The MSc programmes provide a great deal of practical experience of working within the minerals industry, aiming to produce high quality graduates who can enjoy high employment rates and easy transition into further PhD study. Emphasis remains on applied teaching and research relevant to careers in the Earth Resources and Renewables sectors. Field visits and practical field-based assignments are used, where appropriate, to emphasise key areas within each module.
MSc students spend 20% of their time in the field in the autumn term of their MSc programmes and over the Easter period, are encouraged to participate in a 2 week field trip to visit mines in Western Australia, Namibia and South Africa.
After their exams in May, MSc students commence their projects which run from May until September. These projects are located worldwide - previous students have undertaken projects in Greenland, Africa and Australia.
Students work on a discrete problem for 4 months, with access to field area and facilities fundamentally governing the timing of the project. The student will participate in a confidential agreement with a keen sponsor, who in turn provides the student with help and support during the project. CSM also provides support via supervision, software and laboratories.
Typical projects include:
- Exploration: fieldwork + GIS layers + preliminary petrography (SEM/ Microprobe)
- Production problems (grade or geometallurgy)
- Mineral resource assessment problems: Geological controls + software development (Isatis/ Datamine)
Students receive extensive support for their projects such as staff sponsorship; module components; teaching materials e.g. specific software; mine/quarry visits in the UK, Australia, Namibia and South Africa; student sponsors and research contracts with various companies and the EU.
