The graduates and current students of SMI postgraduate coursework programs are employed in a diverse range of disciplines both in Australia and internationally. Students’ backgrounds have included experience in mining and process engineering, environmental management, community relations and health and safety. The flexible delivery mode of most of the SMI postgraduate courses, combined with the practical learning and assessment activities, enable most of our students to relate their study directly to the workplace through assignments and online discussion with their peers. Many of the general subjects, e.g. risk management, are important elements for almost all roles within the minerals industry. In addition, many graduates have used the courses to broaden their skill base and move into new roles with a wider range of responsibilities.

Graduate attributes

In the early stages of developing the SMI Postgraduate Program we worked with industry and government reference groups to identify the attributes employees specifically require within the minerals industry.  Through this process we were able to refine UQ’s generic graduate attributes which include:

• In-depth knowledge of the field of study;
• Effective communication;
• Independence and creativity;
• Critical judgement; and,
• Ethical and social understanding.

We then designed the individual courses to support the development of these skills and attributes through course curriculum, learning outcomes, learning activities and assessment tasks. More information on how course activities relate to graduate attributes can be found in the individual course profiles.

Student stories

Robert Davies has specialised in risk management in the minerals industry and is the Principal Safety Advisor with Rio Tinto (Australasia region).

Matthew McGann has chosen to specialise in Environmental aspects of the minerals industry and currently works as the Environment Manager with Lane Xang Minerals (Lao PDR).