New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

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New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology


Established	1889
Type	Public
President	Dr. Daniel H. López
Faculty	150
Undergraduates	1,388 (Fall 2005)
Postgraduates	503 (Fall 2005)
Location	Socorro, New Mexico, USA
Campus	Rural, 320 acres (1.3 km²) central, 40 mi² (100 km²) adjoining
Focus	science and engineering
Colors	silver and gold
Website	www.nmt.edu

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (also called New Mexico Tech, Tech, The Tech, and originally known as the New Mexico School of Mines) is a research university located in Socorro, New Mexico.

World renowned for its undergraduate and graduate educational opportunities^[1], Tech offers over 30 bachelor of science degrees in mathematics, the sciences, engineering, management, and technical communication, as well as graduate degrees in areas of specialization through the doctoral level. Each student vying for a bachelor's degree must pass two semesters each of chemistry, physics, and calculus. It is widely considered the best small technical school in the US for many areas of science, engineering, and computer science by numerous sources^[1].

1 History
2 Research and Teaching
3 Affiliated Science and Engineering Centers
4 Honors
- 4.1 Princeton Review
- 4.2 NSA
5 School Culture and Student Life
6 References
7 External links

[edit] History

The Tech is a small research-oriented university focused on science, engineering and technology. Founded in 1889 as the New Mexico School of Mines, the Territorial Legislature laid as its mission to boost the state economy, and "train young mining engineers." In 1946 The Tech began offering graduate degrees. The institute took its current name in 1951, but the change was not legally effective until 1960 when the name was changed by amendment of the New Mexico Constitution, Art.XII, Section 11.

[edit] Research and Teaching

New Mexico Tech's notable areas of research and teaching include hydrology, astrophysics, atmospheric physics, geophysics, information technology, information security, Earth Science, energetic materials engineering, and petroleum recovery. With the help of US Senator Pete Domenici, the growth in federal funding from the Department of Homeland Security has turned the university into a major research center in this area as well (even going so far as to purchase the entire city of Playas, New Mexico, a former company town, as a research site). Because of its strong research areas, the school offers numerous scholarships and unique research opportunities for students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

In addition to its strong focus on science and technology, Tech has seen much recent growth in the humanities and social sciences. Minors are now available in history, Latin American studies, and philosophy. The university's last NCA reaccreditation was in October of 2004.

New Mexico Tech's Joseph R. Skeen Library

[edit] Affiliated Science and Engineering Centers

In 2003 the university bought the town of Playas, New Mexico for use as a research and training facility for the university’s first responders and counter-terrorism programs.

[edit] Honors

[edit] Princeton Review

2007 Ranked one of the nation’s best institutions for an undergraduate education
2005 Ranked #2 Best value in education
2005 Ranked among top western colleges
2005 Ranked #10 worst cafeteria food
2004 Ranked among top western colleges
2004 Ranked #4 worst cafeteria food

[edit] NSA

The school is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE/IAE). This brings several major scholarships and research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

[edit] School Culture and Student Life

Primarily a science and engineering school, New Mexico Tech is widely considered to be a nerd or geek college. While not every student fits in this blanket characterization, many do. Tech hosts an annual Performing Arts Series that is free to students, and, along with the broader community, city, and county, support a great number of special events each year. New Mexico Tech is located approximately an hour south of Albuquerque in a region of high deserts to subalpine mountains that offers considerable outdoor recreation opportunities, including rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking. ^[3] ^[4] Tech also hosts numerous active student clubs and a monthly student newspaper, Paydirt.

The campus population has historically been predominantly male, but has moved increasing towards a balance^[5], with women now outnumbering men in a number of majors.

The economic vitality of Socorro, New Mexico has increased in recent years, allowing for more Tech graduates to live in the vicinity of the city. As a result, an increasing proportion of the population is composed of NMT graduates.

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b Carey, John A. (Feb. 2003) "New Mexico Tech One of State's Best Assets" New Mexico Business Journal 27:2 pp48-49
^ Aster, R., Beaudoin, B., Hole, J., Fouch, M., Fowler, J., James, D., and the PASSCAL Staff and Standing Committee, IRIS PASSCAL program marks 20 years of scientific discovery, EOS trans. AGU, 86, 26 April, 2005.
^ Recreation in Socorro Socorro Public Library
^ "Outdoor Recreation in Socorro County" New Mexico Tech Earth and Environmental Science Department
^ New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (2005) NM Tech 2004 Affirmative Action Report New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM;