In 1934, Mapúa Institute of Technology (MIT) was the first and only school to offer the Mining Engineering Course. The school occupied a modest commercial building along Carriedo Street in Quiapo, Manila. In 1937, Mapúa Institute of Technology produced the first thirteen (13) Mining Engineering graduates of the Country.

After World War II, MIT began construction of its building at the corner of Doroteo Jose and Miserecordia St. (presently Don Tomas Mapua St.), near Avenida Rizal, Sta. Cruz, Manila, and subsequently transferred its operation there.

In the mid-50's Mapúa Institute of Technology branched out to its new Compound Complex at Intramuros along Muralla St., Manila. The upperclassmen of the various engineering courses including Mining Engineering and Architecture occupied the Intramuros MIT Compound while the School of Basic Studies (General Engineering) remained with the School of Business Administration (later changed to Industrial Engineering), and the High School Department at the Doroteo Jose Compound.

The Mining Engineering Curriculum was versatile because there were sufficient number of subjects for Mining, Geology and Metallurgy, respectively. Thus, the Mining Engineering graduates were trained to work as Mining Engineers or Geologists or Metallurgical Engineers.

During the mid-60's, there was a clamor to have the government regulate the practice of Geology and Metallurgical Engineering. And so the School of Mining Engineering was expanded to include the Geology and Metallurgical Engineering courses. The new department became the School of Mining, Geology, and Metallurgical Engineering (MGM).

In the early 90's, the mining industry began to decline; so that the enrollment of MGM was adversely affected. To be more flexible in accommodating new relevant courses and additional students, MGM was changed in the year 2000 to the School of Earth and Material Science and Engineering (EMSE). At present, EMSE courses consist of Mining Engineering, Geology, Geological Engineering major in Geotechnical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, and Material Science and Engineering with two majors, namely: (1) Semiconductors and Electronics Materials, and (2) Metals

• Prepare students for a professional Industrial Engineering career including a vital role in the design, improvement and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, information, equipment and energy
• Train students who can solve problems and make improvements through design of engineering systems
• Educate students to communicate effectively, to contribute to team effort and to understand the economic and ethical impacts of their decisions
• Instill within the students the importance of lifelong learning

• Develop students who are capable of framing engineering problems in the manufacturing and service industries and developing corresponding solutions
• Provide knowledge to and develop skills of students necessary for the successful implementation of engineering solutions within enterprises consisting of people, systems and projects
• Instill within the students the importance of lifelong learning
• Foster within the students the commitment to protect public interest, health and safety, and to maintain the highest ethical standards in the practice of the profession.