General Information

The Explosives Engineering program first offered a MS degree in 2010 and a subsequent PhD degree in 2014.  The degree is offered both in-person and via distance education.  There are numerous classes offered in the areas of rock blasting, theory, instrumentation, demolition, pyrotechnics, and other specialty applications.  Hands-on laboratory sessions occur at either the S&T Experimental Mine or Energetics Research Facility.  Graduates from the program are often employed by industry, government, research facilities, or consulting companies.  Many students are working professionals expanding their knowledge and qualifications to advance in their current careers.   

A number of students also enroll who are seeking specialized training to become explosives professionals.  The Safe Explosives Act of 2002 restricts acceptance to US Citizens or Permanent Residents for on-campus studies since handling of explosives is required.  Foreign distance-education students are considered for admission if they are currently employed in the explosives industry and demonstrate the need for explosives education.  A felony background check must be performed on each student.  Additional information on the program can be found at https://mee.mst.edu/. 

Admission Requirements

• BS in Engineering or physical sciences
• 3.0 GPA
• Transcripts
• US Citizen or Permanent Resident for on-campus students
• English proficiency for international distance students

Program Requirements

• 30 Credit Hours Total
  • Minimum 9 hours at 6000+ level
• 12 Credit Hours of Core Classes

Core Courses (12 Credit Hours)

Select any four of the following six courses. 

• EXP ENG 5612: Principles of Explosives Engineering (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Every Fall Semester)
• EXP ENG 5622: Blasting Design and Technology (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Every Spring Semester)
• EXP ENG 5713: Demolition of Buildings and Structures (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Every Fall Semester)
• EXP ENG 5922: Advanced Tunneling and Underground Construction (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Spring Semester-Odd Year)
• EXP ENG 6312: Scientific Instrumentation for Explosives (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Spring Semester-Odd Year)
• EXP ENG 6412: Environmental Controls for Blasting (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Fall Semester-Odd Year) 

List of Elective Courses (18 Credit Hours)

You may take any of the courses below or two additional from the Core Courses requirement.  Up to nine credit hours can be earned outside of the Explosives Engineering program as appropriate and as approved by the student’s advisor.  Other EXP ENG Courses:

• EXP ENG 5001: Underwater Blasting (3 credit hours, offered Spring Semester-Odd Year)
• EXP ENG 5112: Explosives Handling and Safety (3 credit hours, offered Every Fall Semester)
• EXP ENG 5512: Commercial Pyrotechnics Operations (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Every Fall Semester)
• EXP ENG 5513: Stage Pyrotechnics and Special Effects (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Every Spring Semester)
• EXP ENG 5514: Display Fireworks Manufacturing (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Every Fall Semester)
• EXP ENG 5555: Computer Fired Pyrotech Show Design (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered Spring Semester-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 5721: Specialty Uses of Energetic Materials (3 credit hours, offered Spring Semester-Odd Year)
• EXP ENG 5914: Explosives Manufacturing (3 credit hours, offered Spring Semester-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 6001: Construction Blasting (3 credit hours, offered Spring Semester-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 6001: Explosives Simulation (3 credit hours, offered Summer Session-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 6112: Explosives Regulations (3 credit hours, offered Fall Semester-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 6212: Theory of High Explosives (3 credit hours, offered Spring Semester-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 6292: Research Methods (3 credit hours, offered Fall Semester-Even Year)
• EXP ENG 6464: Advanced Vibration Analysis and Prediction (3 credit hours, offered Summer Session-Odd Year)

Course Availability

A full list of course availability and timing can be found here: https://cec.mst.edu/academics/course-availability/

Please note:  During the semester a student will have completed nine hours of graduate credit, the student must formally plan the remainder of their graduate program in consultation with their academic advisor, and submit a Form 1 for approval, first to the department chair and then to the vice provost of graduate education