Bachelor of Science in Metallurgy and Mineral Processing Engineering

Programme Description

The Department of Mining and Mineral Processing of The University of Dodoma (UDOM) offers a four-year programme containing aspects of mineral science engineering and technology that is professionally related to the ever-expanding mineral industry of Tanzania. The curriculum for this programme reflects massive changes that have taken place in the mining industry in the last 10 years. It takes the advantage that there is a growing demand for mineral science engineers due to the increasing consumption of mineral resources worldwide. China and India, in particular, have sent mineral commodity prices soaring and have renewed the need for minerals and technical expertise for finding, extracting, and processing them in the country and abroad. 55 The strength of this curriculum, nevertheless, is catered in a form of Outcome -Based Training (OBT) which differs substantially from the existing, classical knowledge- based, and content- driven format. It is driven by the acquisition of skills. Most contents of the courses are seen as a tool whereby life -skills and competencies can be enhanced; in other words, students will be taught how to think rather than what to think. This will have a considerable impact for employers over the present teaching system. The curriculum addresses communication skills, basic sciences, applied sciences, geology, and engineering sciences to mold competent mineral process sing engineers through minerals identification, ore valuation and concentration, conservation, and protection of the environment. Ethical, social, safety, economic, and environmental considerations are emphasized in the design experience throughout many courses, including the final project write-up. Coursework, which covers theoretical, practical training, and training practice sessions provides a unique background for science, engineering, and management positions in the industry and government, as well as for the continuation of specialized graduate studies. The laboratory sessions expose students to laboratory courses which focus on conducting experiments as the base of Research and Development (R&D) of a modern plant, understanding of the principles involved in each experiment, and analysing and interpreting experimental data. Fi eld excursions and industrial practical training will develop life-skills for the students. Training practice plays a vital part in most courses, and it is prepared to spend time in the mineral processing plants to undertake single/group expeditions lasting from a few days to one or two months. Students are expected to complete a longer, usually independent project during the 3rd year of study, which will be submitted as an independent project during the final year. Laboratory work is also a crucial component in building life-long skills. It involves the examination of polished rock/ore sections under microscopes, laboratory particle size analysis; simulation of crushing, grinding, sieving, and classification; mineral separations using gravitation, flotation, magnetic, electrostatic, and dissolution methods. Potential graduates of this programme will find domestic and international employment opportunities with the processing and concentrating valuable elements in soft and hard rocks, coal, industrial minerals, and construction aggregates producers, as well as with government agencies and equipment vendors.

Learning Outcomes

• Provision of high quality undergraduate and graduate programmes supported by up-to- date curriculum and scientific and industrial research.
• Production of technically competent and well-trained graduates’ engineers who inspire creativity in thinking and skills in problem solving to assist the mining industry in the country and abroad in meeting daily challenges.
• Contribution to maintain a team of school who are committed to providing high quality of teaching and research in solving metallurgy and mineral processing problems using the fundamental principles of basic and applied sciences and engineering, in conjunction with state-of-the-art tools.
• Production of well-trained graduate metallurgy and mineral processing engineers who can follow and utilize the technological developments that may occur during their careers and recognize the needs of an environmentally sensitive society.

Programme Structure

Year 1

Semester One

Semester Two

Year 2

Semester One

Semester Two

Year 3

Semester One

Semester Two

Year 4

Semester One

Semester Two