OpenFieldSouth Dakota Mines · Rapid City, South Dakota, United States
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (South Dakota Mines) is an elite public STEM research university located at the foothills of the Black Hills in Rapid City, South Dakota. Founded in 1885 during the Dakota gold rush to provide metallurgical and mining expertise, it is today a premier national engineering institution boasting exceptional starting career salaries and leading-edge partnerships with the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF).
South Dakota Mines offers comprehensive bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in 20 STEM majors, including materials science, mining engineering, geological engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, and biomedical engineering. The university operates state-of-the-art facilities including the Arbegast Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory and the Museum of Geology.
Undergraduate admissions require high school graduation with strong math and science coursework (average incoming GPA 3.6). Graduate admissions require an accredited bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or physical science with a minimum 3.0 GPA, GRE scores (departmental policy), statement of purpose, and academic letters of reference.
Elite doctoral program focusing on advanced alloys, friction stir welding, ceramic matrix composites, 2D nanomaterials, and corrosion resistance for aerospace and defense applications.
Unique doctoral research leveraging the geologically rich Black Hills, Badlands, and Williston Basin for structural geology, geomechanics, paleoclimatology, and hydrogeology studies.
Comprehensive graduate degree specializing in rock mechanics, automated underground excavation, mine ventilation safety, mineral processing, and sustainable reclamation.
Cutting-edge degree developing mastery in deep learning, autonomous robotics, parallel supercomputing, and cyber-physical systems verification.
Joint doctoral program investigating biomaterials for bone regeneration, microfluidic diagnostics, orthopedic biomechanics, and cardiovascular stent surface modifications.
Prestigious research fellowship conducting experiments 4,850 feet underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (the former Homestake gold mine) on dark matter detection (LZ experiment), neutrino physics (DUNE), and deep-subsurface extremophile geomicrobiology.
President & Professor of Electrical Engineering
Office of the President
Dr. Rankin leads South Dakota Mines, an alumnus and avionics engineer with extensive research experience in aircraft navigation systems, fly-by-wire controls, a...
View researcher profile ↗Head & Professor of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
Dr. West directs the Arbegast Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory, specializing in friction stir welding, advanced alloy microstructures, and solid-stat...
View researcher profile ↗Department Head & Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Dr. Anderson is an accomplished invertebrate paleontologist and geoscientist researching marine molluscan paleoecology, taphonomy, and environmental change acro...
View researcher profile ↗OpenField is an independent research platform not officially affiliated with South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Information reflects public documentation reviewed on 2026-10-16. Students must verify application deadlines, fee structures, and prerequisite details directly with official university admissions departments before applying.
Updated 2026-10-16 · Editorial policy · Submit corrections