M ESSAGE F ROM THE Welcome to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology! Our goal is to provide you an environment in which P you will have excellent opportunities to continue your RESIDENT education. We offer programs in all of the major branches of engineering and the physical sciences. Degrees are offered at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. Our College of Interdisciplinary Studies offers technically oriented studies in management, business, and writing leading to a baccalaureate degree. You may also major in interdisciplinary studies if you would like to begin your university studies with us and then transfer and complete your degree elsewhere. Since 1885 students have found this university, nestled at the entrance of the Black Hills of South Dakota, to be a good place to nurture and more fully develop their intellectual abilities, their character, and their spirit. We want you to experience the educational opportunities and the friendships that bind the graduates of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology together, wherever they may be around the world. We will encourage you to excel and to try just a little harder so that you will be the very best that you want to be. We will also be ready to assist you just in case the going may get a little rough as you move along the road to your chosen profession. We invite you to join the South Dakota Tech family and combine our traditions of excellence with the newest of computers, technologies, and discoveries. We want to help you become prepared to be a leader in solving tomorrow's problems in an increasingly complex society. We look forward to your continued growth and success at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Sincerely, Richard J. Gowen President SDSM&T 1999-2000 UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE CATALOG/1 SOUTH DAKOTA BOARD OF REGENTS City, SD 57701, 605-394-1203. Mr. David Gienapp, Madison RESERVATION OF RIGHTS Dr. James Hansen, Pierre Mr. Harvey Jewett, Aberdeen The information contained in this catalog is Mr. Curt Jones, Britton the most accurate available at the time of Ms. Pat Lebrun, Rapid City publication, but changes may become effective Mr. Rudy Nef, Milbank before the next catalog is printed. It is Mr. Shance Penfield, Vermillion ultimately the student’s responsibility to stay Mr. Jack Rentschler, Sioux Falls abreast of current regulations, curricula, and the status of specific programs being offered. OFFICERS OF THE BOARD Further, the university reserves the right, as approved by the Board of Regents, to modify President: Harvey Jewett requirements, curricula offerings, and charges, Vice President: Curt Jones and to add, alter, or delete courses and Secretary: Jack Rentschler programs through appropriate procedures. While reasonable efforts will be made to SOUTH DAKOTA STATE EDUCATIONAL publicize such changes, a student is INSTITUTES encouraged to seek current information from appropriate offices. Black Hills State University, Spearfish Dakota State University, Madison Northern State University, Aberdeen South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City South Dakota State University, Brookings University of South Dakota, Vermillion EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, national origin, military status, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, political preference or disability. In adhering to this policy, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology abides by the South Dakota Board of Regents policy 1:19; by the Federal Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000e; by the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; by Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; by the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; by Executive Order 11246, as amended; by 38 U.S.C. 2012, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972, as amended; and by other applicable statutes and regulations relating to equality of opportunity. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to Deborah Sloat, Director of Human Resources, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 East St. Joseph Street, Rapid SDSM&T 1999-2000 UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE CATALOG/2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Academic Calendar ...........................................................................................5 The Campus .......................................................................................................7 History and Mission Statement .........................................................................9 Academic Program ..........................................................................................11 Educational Resources ....................................................................................17 T General Information ........................................................................................25 ABLE OF Admissions ......................................................................................................34 Tuition and Fees ..............................................................................................44 Financial Aid ...................................................................................................51 C Attendance and Conduct .................................................................................66 ONTENTS Student Services ..............................................................................................71 Student Activities ............................................................................................74 Career Planning ...............................................................................................78 Graduation Requirements ................................................................................80 Undergraduate Degree Programs .....................................................................88 College of Earth Systems ........................................................................88 Atmospheric Sciences .....................................................................89 Civil and Environmental Engineering .............................................93 Geological Engineering ...................................................................98 Geology .........................................................................................102 Mining Engineering .......................................................................106 College of Interdisciplinary Studies ......................................................110 Interdisciplinary Sciences ..............................................................111 Humanities .....................................................................................114 Military Science .............................................................................116 Physical Education ........................................................................120 Social Science.................................................................................122 College of Materials Science and Engineering .....................................127 Biology ..........................................................................................128 Chemical Engineering ...................................................................130 Chemistry ......................................................................................135 Materials and Metallurgical Engineering ......................................139 Physics ...........................................................................................143 College of Systems Engineering ...........................................................148 Computer Engineering ..................................................................149 Computer Science ..........................................................................153 Electrical Engineering ...................................................................157 Industrial Engineering ...................................................................161 Mathematics ..................................................................................165 Mechanical Engineering ................................................................169 Center of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing & Production..14 Graduate Student General Information .........................................................172 Graduate Degree Programs ............................................................................173 College of Earth Systems ......................................................................192 Atmospheric Sciences ...................................................................193 Civil Engineering ..........................................................................197 Geology and Geological Engineering ...........................................199 Mining Engineering .......................................................................202 Paleontology ...................................................................................204 College of Materials Science and Engineering .....................................209 Chemical Engineering ...................................................................210 SDSM&T 1999-2000 UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE CATALOG/3 Materials Engineering and Science................................................213 Materials and Metallurgical Engineering ......................................215