The explosives engineering program in the department of mining and nuclear engineering offers the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in explosives engineering for students with bachelor’s degrees in engineering, science or technology. It also offers an explosives technology certificate for those with other bachelor's degrees. Due to the age profile of the explosives industry and attrition of personnel, as well as the rapid change in technology within this field, there is an immediate and growing need for highly trained explosives professionals in the civilian explosive, mining and civil excavating fields, government and defense industry. Employers are looking for engineers and scientists with sophisticated skills in the integration of explosives technology into complex systems in a wide range of applications. Employers are also seeking M.S. graduates because they can move quickly into managerial positions. The M.S. program requires a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit. A core of four courses is required of all students, and a module of allied courses in departments outside of explosives engineering is encouraged. M.S. with thesis: The M.S. degree with thesis requires the completion of 24 hours of graduate course work and six hours of research (EXP ENG 6099) and the successful completion and defense of a research thesis. M.S. without thesis (by coursework): The M.S. degree without thesis requires the completion of 30 hours of graduate coursework with the same stipulations as above. The six hours of research is replaced by course work which may include an explosives related cooperative work experience (EXP ENG 6002) or industry project (EXP ENG 6080) with an established company or government agency commonly using explosives and an additional explosives course. There is an immediate and growing need for highly trained explosives professionals in the explosive, mining, and civil excavating fields and government and defense industries. Employers are looking for engineers and scientists with sophisticated skills in the integration of explosives technology into complex systems in a wide range of applications. Employers are also seeking MS graduates because they can move quickly into managerial positions. Missouri S&T faculty are involved in a variety of explosives related research programs. They teach and direct the Explosives Engineering program, in conjunction with instruction by industry specialists in a wide range of applications. Students will have opportunities to assist faculty, both in research and teaching, as well as interact with faculty and graduate students in other engineering and science fields, such as Civil, Architectural, Mechanical, Chemical, Aerospace, Electrical, Geological and Materials Engineering and Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, and Physics.