You can find course descriptions in . In your study plan, choose the course and click the course code or search courses by code or name. Learning environments are found in through search or after registration in "My own courses".
European Mining Course
Curriculum 2026-2028
About the programme
Programme code: ENG221 / CHEM212
Major code: ENG3077 / ENG3052
Programme director: Lauri Uotinen / Rodrigo Serna
Responsible department: Civil Engineering / Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy
The European Mining Course (EMC) is an internationally recognised triple degree masters programme. The two-year (120 credits) programme is organized jointly by three European universities: Aalto University, RWTH Aachen, and Technical University of Leoben.
The European Mining Course (EMC) covers every aspect of the life cycle of mineral resources. Our partner universities provide the highest level of mining education through a structured, flexible exchange. The EMC is based on the expertise of the partner universities within Mining and Minerals Engineering. The focus of the programme is to provide state-of-the-art education in the fields of mining engineering by means of environmentally and economically sustainable systems and technologies, including circular economy.
At Aalto University, the programme is offered jointly by the School of Engineering (ENG) and the School of Chemical Engineering (CHEM). This means that all admitted students to EMC are first registered and enrolled at Aalto ENG but, if the student’s Master’s thesis supervisor is from CHEM, their right to study will be transferred to CHEM.
The aim of the programme is to:
- Provide one of the most comprehensive Mining Engineering degree programme in the world to respond to the demands of global market, and to serve as a driver for innovation and recruitment in the sustainable mining sector
- Be a flagship for European excellence in Mining Engineering
- Provide a common pool of well-trained MSc graduates needed by global market and/or for potential PhD study
- Enhance innovation, research and entrepreneurship
- Promote internationalization of education through the mobility of students and academics between the Parties and industrial partners.
- Enhance the quality of the MSc programmes of the Parties.
Graduates of the programme have:
- Good understanding of the key issues involved in designing underground and surface excavations.
- Basic knowledge on the processing-related mineralogical and geological aspects of ores and industrial minerals, rock stability analyses, excavation and blasting techniques, mine ventilation and safety issues, data management and visualization of data.
- Good understanding of the fundamental properties of minerals and their relevance in mineral enrichment, metallurgy, and recycling operations.
- General understanding of the environmental footprint and diverse impacts of mining operations and an overview of underground waste disposal and backfilling methods. Good level of understanding of financial parameters to evaluate mining projects.
Mobility is an integrated and compulsory part of the programme (see mobility structure below). Upon completion of the programme, graduates may be awarded a Master of Science degree or similar by all the three partner universities (triple degree).
Degree structure
*) Including 30 ECTS of course work at each of the EMC partner universities (Aalto, RWTH Aachen, MU Leoben).
Course descriptions in Sisu
Major studies
| Code | Name | ECTS | Teaching |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM-E6140 | Fundamentals of Minerals Engineering and Recycling | 5 | I, English |
| GEO-E2030 | Rock Mechanics | 5 | I, English |
| GEO-E3010 | Economic Geology and Mineral Economics | 5 | II, English |
| GEO-E3050 | Field Experience and Project in Hard Rock Mining | 2 | II, English |
| LC-1317 | Integrated Project Communication for MSc Students (o, w) * | 3 | II, English |
| CHEM-E6111** | Engineering Principles for Metallurgical Processes | 5 | I, English |
| CHEM-E6160 | Fundamentals of Pyrometallurgy | 5 | II, English |
| Total | 30 |
*) The course is mandatory for students required to complete the mandatory foreign language course in their Master’s studies according ɫɫÀ² University degree regulations (referring to paragraph 4, section 13b).
| Code | Name | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Responsible Mining | ||
| 51.00051 | Wastes of the Mining Industry | 3 |
| 51.00053 | Ethics in Mining | 2 |
| 51.00023 | Feasibility Studies of Mining Projects | 5 |
| Simulation of Mining and Mineral Processing | ||
| 51.00046 | Simulation of Mining Processes | 2 |
| 51.00054 | Simulation of Mineral Processing | 3 |
| 51.00008 | Mine Ventilation | 5 |
| 51.49767 | Reserve Modelling and Estimation | 5 |
| 51.00031 | Case Study: Mining Project | 5 |
| Total | 30 |
| Code | Name | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| 200.XXX | Excavation Engineering | 5 |
| 200.XXX | Open Pit Mining | 5 |
| 200.XXX | Rock Mechanics 2 | 5 |
| 200.XXX | Digging Deeper: Sustainability Challenges in the Raw Materials Sector | 5 |
| 200.XXX | Underground Mining | 5 |
| Optional courses (select 5 ECTS) | ||
| 200.XXX | Special Mining Environments | 5 |
| 200.XXX | Data Analysis for Mining Engineers using Python | 5 |
| Total | 30 |
| Code | Name | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| CIV.thes / CHEM.thes | Master’s thesis | 30 |
| ENG.matr / CHEM.matr | Maturity test | 0 |
Master's Thesis
The master’s thesis is written on a topic related to the advanced studies of the programme, agreed upon between the student and the supervising professor. The professors of the programme provide master’s thesis topics that are related to their current research activities. The student can also suggest his/her own topic to a supervisor.
The master’s thesis supervisor shall be one of the professors of Aalto University and the thesis advisor shall hold at least a master’s degree.
The master's thesis includes a presentation and maturity test.
Please see further instructions on the master’s thesis and the related process at Thesis page under During your studies. Note: The student should follow the thesis instructions of their school. If the student’s Master’s thesis supervisor is from the School of Chemical Engineering (CHEM), their right to study will be transferred to CHEM and they should follow the thesis instructions of CHEM.
| Code | Course name | ECTS | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| CE.thes / CHEM.thes | Master's thesis | 30 | second year |
| ENG.matr / CHEM.matr | Maturity test | 0 | second year |