The Colorado School of Mines is a public research university devoted to engineering and applied science. It has the highest
admissions standards of any university in Colorado and among the highest of any public university in the U.S. CSM has
distinguished itself by developing a curriculum and research program that is geared towards responsible stewardship of the earth
and its resources. In addition to strong education and research programs in traditional fields of science and engineering, CSM is
one of a very few institutions in the world having broad expertise in resource exploration, extraction, production and
utilization. As such, CSM occupies a unique position among the world's institutions of higher education.The school is home to the second oldest mountainside monument in the United States. Perched on Mount Zion above the campus, every evening, the stone monument of the school's
M logo is illuminated from behind providing an outline on the hill. During holidays and special occasions, such as finals
week, the structure is illuminated different colors and patterns to reflect the season.