George S. Ansell

Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Colorado School of Mines

 

Hill Hall 201, 920 15th St., Golden, CO 80401
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Engineering Starts with Materials

Everything is made of materials, so better materials make better products, from bridges to phones to medical devices and everything in between. Metallurgical and Materials Engineers make the stuff that allows other engineers to make their stuff better, so we are needed by every industry, government lab, or research institution, and our graduates have limitless opportunities for fulfilling and impactful careers. We turn raw materials, such as ores or used products in need of recycling, into valuable and sustainable high-performance products that enable the latest technological advancements in energy generation and storage, safer and more efficient cars and trucks, higher speed wireless communication, stronger and lighter aerospace alloys, devices for quantum computing, and many others. Internationally recognized faculty guide our undergraduate and graduate students focused on metals and ceramics. Undergraduates have hands-on opportunities for research experiences using our world-class facilities and wide range of equipment. For example, we can fabricate parts as large as people and grow and measure films one atomic layer at a time; test and shape materials with over 400,000 pounds of force and use supercomputers to predict and understand new materials. We even have a hot shop for learning glassblowing and blacksmithing. If you want to make the world better, it all starts with better materials.

See students from our department participate in an iron pour led by our hot shop manager Sarah Harling!

OUR PROGRAMS

Field Session 2025

Mines’ Metallurgical and Materials Engineering department offers two undergraduate programs: 

Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Bachelor’s Degree

Ceramic Engineering Bachelor’s Degree

CoorsTek Lab

The department offers master’s and doctoral programs in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. There are three areas of specialization: physical and mechanical Metallurgy; physicochemical processing of materials; and ceramic engineering.

Welcome to MME!

Welcome to the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering!  Our historic name reflects Mines’ role in shaping metallurgy over the last roughly 150 years. Since the early days of supporting the Colorado gold and silver mining industries (which we still do), we’ve evolved to an internationally recognized home of expertise in metals and ceramics. Research and education topics span applications such as aerospace alloys, light weight automotive sheet steel, ceramic fuel cells, critical mineral extraction, wireless communications, and armor. We go all the way from atoms to airplanes! Our mission is to offer students the fundamentals that prepare them as materials engineers and scientists for a rapidly-changing world that embraces sustainability, inclusion, and ever-increasing materials challenges.

Geoff Brennecka

If you are one of our esteemed alumni, I welcome you to connect with us. If you are a student who has not yet decided on a major or career, I encourage you to reach out and see what we’re about! You will find a friendly and knowledgeable staff, a great group of professors, and some fantastic laboratory facilities, all working towards your success.

Please stop by Hill Hall if you are in Golden!

Geoff Brennecka, Department Head

Get Involved

 

Our Hot Shop offers many exciting hands-on opportunities. Click on the button above to learn more about these experiences.

Foundry

The foundry explores the shaping of molten metal through casting.

Forge

The forge explores shaping metal through heat and pressure.

Glass Shop

The glass shop explores the art and science of shaping and blowing glass.

Free Pour Friday Trailhead
Iron Pour
Harling_Mines@150 Bell
Mines@150 Blade

The Hill Hall welding lab is open during the fall and spring semesters for students and staff to explore various welding techniques. Sessions are free and no experience is needed.

More Opportunities To Get Involved

Are you looking to engage with the George S. Ansell Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, but don’t know where to start? 

Our Research

The Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (MME) Department has the largest research expenditures of all departments at Mines, supporting graduate research and providing paid research opportunities to interested undergraduates students.

Students interested in performing undergraduate research for credit or pay can review our faculty pages for their research areas and email the faculty to see if they have open positions.

Mines Lab

Mission

Develop engineers and scientists who make a positive impact on the world by providing a fundamentally sound and industrially relevant education and conducting world-class research in metals and ceramics while embracing sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and access.

Vision

To be a world-renowned and diverse Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department recognized for student success, research, accomplishments, and alumni achievement and affinity.

Average Salary for BS Grads 2023-24

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Positive Outcomes for BS Grads 2023-24

Average Salary for MS Grads 2023-24

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Positive Outcomes for MS Grads 2023-24

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Positive Outcomes for PhD Grads 2023-24