**Publisher/Institution:** Devereaux Library, South Dakota Mines
**Subjects Covered:** Graduate research across engineering, science, technology, applied mathematics, and interdisciplinary STEM fields.

Overview

Dissertations & Theses @ South Dakota Mines is the institutional repository and archive for master's theses and doctoral dissertations completed at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. It showcases original research by graduate students, reflecting the institution’s strong STEM focus in engineering, science, and applied technologies. For South Dakota Mines, the collection supports graduate and undergraduate research by providing access to locally authored studies, methodologies, and data across multiple technical disciplines.

Scope and Content

• Coverage Dates: Primarily recent works from South Dakota Mines graduate programs; older works available in library archives.
• Content Types: Full-text and abstracted theses and dissertations authored by South Dakota Mines students.
• Subject Areas: Engineering, science, mathematics, materials, environmental, and applied technology fields.
• Access Model: Available through Devereaux Library archives and institutional digital repository; some works open access, others restricted.
• Update Frequency: Ongoing as new works are submitted each semester through the university’s ETD (Electronic Theses and Dissertations) process.

Strengths

• Captures original research output from South Dakota Mines graduate students.
• Provides insight into current and historical research trends at the institution.
• Preserves institutional scholarship and supports research continuity.
• Highly relevant for students seeking local or discipline-specific precedents.
• Complements national dissertation databases by emphasizing local STEM research.

Limitations

• Limited to works produced by South Dakota Mines; not comprehensive. Search the library catalog for complete results.
• Full-text access may vary due to embargoes or print-only formats.
• Metadata and discoverability may differ for older works not fully digitized.
• Interface lacks the advanced search features of commercial databases like ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
• Primarily focused on completed theses and dissertations, not faculty publications or data sets.

Best For

• Graduate students conducting literature reviews or methodological comparisons.
• Faculty and advisors reviewing prior student work in their programs.
• Undergraduates preparing for capstone, design, or honors projects.
• Researchers exploring the history and development of Mines’ research programs.
• Institutional analysis of graduate research trends and academic output.

Complementary Databases

Overall Evaluation

Dissertations & Theses @ South Dakota Mines is an essential institutional resource showcasing the university’s graduate research output. It provides valuable access to original STEM research that reflects South Dakota Mines’ academic mission and technological strengths. The database supports scholarly communication, thesis development, and research continuity, making it an important complement to national dissertation databases. It should appear on the A‑to‑Z Databases list and in Graduate Research, Engineering, and Institutional Scholarship LibGuides as the official archive of South Dakota Mines graduate research.

Ask Digby – Library Help

Need help finding Mines theses or dissertations? Ask Digby, the Devereaux Library’s friendly prairie dog mascot! Digby can guide you to institutional research collections, connect you with ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, and help locate examples for your own graduate work.

📧 Email: library@sdsmt.edu

🌐 Chat: Available on the library website

🔗 Library Catalog (Primo): https://sdsmt.primo.exlibrisgroup.com

📍 Devereaux Library, South Dakota Mines, Rapid City, SD