Of Science (MSc) in Geological and Mining Engineering

Programme content

The research, protection and development of our resources - Energy, Minerals, Water, Underground - in the respect of sustainable development are essential today to face the great societal challenges which are the energy transition, the resilience in front of the climate change, the health of the Environment and the development of our cities and our society.

The program for mining and geology engineers enables our students to respond to these societal challenges through a multidisciplinary training that combines engineering techniques with the sciences governing our natural environment. The training opens doors in many sectors among which the Environment, the Extractive Industry and Geotechnics are essential pillars for the sustainable development of our society.

GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

At ULiège, the term "Geological Engineering" refers in particular to :

techniques - tools : numerical methods, geostatistics, deterministic and stochastic models, signal processing, digital imaging, tomography, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, separation and sorting systems;

applications: soil and rock mechanics; applied geophysical methods; hydrogeology of porous, fissured and karstic media; geomaterials; exploration, treatment and recycling of raw materials.

PROGRAMME

The program of this master is bilingual French-English. This means that the student who is actively fluent in French and/or English and passively fluent in the other language can follow all the courses. In practice, students can ask questions to the supervisors in both languages, and course materials are available in both French and English. Students indicate the language in which they wish to be interviewed.

TWO PROFESSIONAL FOCUSES

Mineral resources & recycling

The constant increase in the demand for raw materials and the environmental constraints linked to their exploitation is a major challenge for society. Consequently, it is essential that tomorrow's professionals acquire a perfect knowledge of the two facets of this same profession: mining and recycling. Indeed, raw materials from recycling are in competition with primary raw materials and the arbitration between the two sectors must be made on the technical (processes), economic, environmental and societal aspects. This focus allows possibly to be part of the Erasmus-Mundus program "EMERALD": 30 credits at ULiège, 30 credits at the University of Lorraine (France), 30 credits at the University of Luleå (Sweden) or at Freiberg (Germany) and the internship with the master's thesis in one of the 4 universities. The program benefits from the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology) label for the "innovation and entrepreneurship" dimension.

Environmental & geological engineering

The sustainable management of water resources, the transition to renewable energies such as shallow geothermal energy, and the impacts/risks associated with the underground environment and land use planning are challenges that fuel many professional activities specialized in: geotechnics and rock mechanics, low and high temperature geothermal energy, management and protection of groundwater quantity and quality, geophysical measurements in the field and modeling, risks and remediation, geology preparatory to civil engineering works. This focus allows students to obtain a double degree with the University of Bologna (UNIBO) by completing the second year of the Master's degree in Bologna.

There are numerous industrial partnerships with companies in the fields of materials, energy and recycling, engineering offices and numerous companies that use the subsoil either for the resources contained or to study the characteristics related to the environment. These partnerships also give students the opportunity to be hosted and supervised as part of the mandatory internship.

Added value

• Expert of the underground: Knowledge/understanding of the subsoil heterogeneity and structure
• Experimenter and Modeler: Field and lab tests designer and experimenter, computing/ modeling skills for quantification including uncertainty assessment
• Designer in innovative fields: Design of innovative projects (energy storage, geothermal energy, remediation, recycling ...), and rigorous risk assessment related to underground operations or natural hazards

Learning outcomes

I. Understand and be able to apply sciences and concepts within the field of engineering

The engineer masters and are able to apply fundamental concepts and principles of various fields of science and technology. 

I.1 Master the concepts, principles and laws of the basic sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, etc.).

I.2 Master the concepts and principles of the engineering sciences. In particular, have an advanced body of knowledge in the fields of geology and mineral resources, geotechnics, hydrogeology and the environment (recycling and water).

I.3 Master and be able to develop the necessary tools (experimental and numerical) necessary to study and understand the natural environment (the underground) and the processes taking place there.

II. Learn to understand

Engineers have a strong capacity for autonomous learning, which enables them to seek out and appropriate relevant information to address emerging issues and to engage in continuous learning. They may also engage in research to advance the state of understanding.

II.1 Demonstrate autonomy in learning. In particular, know how to appropriate and summarise scientific and technical information from various sources (lectures, literature, references, manuals and technical documentation, online resources, etc.).

II.2 Research, evaluate and use (through scientific literature, technical or the web, interpersonal contacts, etc.) new information relevant to understanding a problem or a new issue.

II.3 Carry out fundamental or applied research work to produce original scientific and technical knowledge.

III. Analyse, model and solve complex problems

Engineers are capable of conducting structured scientific reasoning, demonstrating the capacity for abstraction, analysis and management of the constraints necessary to solve complex and/or original problems and thus to be part of an innovative process.

III.1 Formalise, model and conceptualise a scientific or technical problem related to or inspired by a complex real-life situation in rigorous language, e.g. using mathematical or computer language, to obtain results. Demonstrate capacity for abstraction.

III.2 Critically analyse hypotheses and results and compare them with experimental reality, taking into account uncertainties.

III.3 Identify and manage the constraints associated with a project (technical constraints, specifications, deadlines, resources, customer requirements, etc.).  In particular, be able to find a compromise between the multiple and often contradictory constraints inherent in the realisation of an engineering project.

III.4 Innovate through the design, implementation and validation of new solutions, methods, products or services.

IV. Implement the methods and techniques in the field to design and innovate while adopting an engineering approach

Engineers implement the methods and techniques specific to their field of specialisation to develop engineering projects and ensure the achievement of specific objectives in their working environment.

IV.1 Use a numerical/computational approach to investigate a problem and test hypotheses or solutions. In particular, to model flows, transport of pollutants and heat transfer in the underground environment.

IV.2 Use an experimental approach to investigate a problem and test hypotheses or solutions. In particular, design and conduct laboratory and in situ tests, design and implement drilling campaigns and associated tests for hydrogeological or geotechnical studies, as well as studies related to the treatment and recycling of mineral materials.

IV.3 Characterise, quantify, inventorise and model geo-resources (including groundwater).

IV.4 Design and dimension underground structures and develop environmental engineering projects. In particular, design geotechnical structures and calculate the stability of natural or man-made environments.

IV.5 Analyse geo-data, assess risks and impacts and uncertainties. Draw up vulnerability and soil risk maps.   

V. Develop their professional practice within the context of a company

Engineers are responsible members of society and the professional world. They integrate economic, social, legal, ethical and environmental constraints and challenges into their work. 

V.1 Integrate human, economic, social, environmental and legal aspects into their considerations and actions. 

V.2 Position themselves in relation to the professions and functions of an engineer, taking into account ethical aspects and social responsibility. Adopt a reflective stance, both critical and constructive, with regard to their own way of acting, their approach and their professional choices. In particular, understand the issues and become involved in environmental policies.

V.3 Develop an entrepreneurial activity.

VI. Work alone or in groups

Engineers are able to work independently and collaborate within a group or organisation. They demonstrate responsibility, team spirit and leadership.

VI.1 Work independently.

VI.2 Work in a team and be open to the practice of collaborative work. Make decisions together. Distribute work and manage deadlines. Manage tensions. Demonstrate leadership skills.

VI.3 Work in an environment with different hierarchical levels, different skill levels and/or different expertise.    

VII. Communicate

Engineers are capable of communicating and sharing their technical and scientific approach and results in writing and orally. Their command of at least one foreign language enables them to work in an international context.

VII.1 Understand general and technical documents related to the professional practice of the discipline (plans, specifications, etc.).

VII.2 Write a scientific or technical report by structuring the information and applying the standards in place in the discipline.

VII.3 Present/defend scientific or technical results orally using the codes and means of communication appropriate to the audience and the communication setting.

VII.4 Understand and write general and technical documents in a foreign language.

VII.5 Understand and present a general or technical oral presentation in a foreign language.