Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering

Program Description

In our Petroleum Engineering Department, we strive to lead the world in education, training, research and innovation for the responsible and sustainable acquisition and development of subsurface energy resources. With a dedicated and renowned faculty, state-of-the-art research facilities and hands-on learning opportunities, Mines is a top choice for undergraduate and graduate students who want to explore the dynamic field of petroleum engineering.

To realize this goal, we designed our petroleum engineering program to ensure you receive the foundational coursework, hands-on experience and inspiration to thrive—wherever your next step takes you. Whether pursuing a career in the private or public sectors or a path in academics, international or domestic, you’ll benefit from our passionate faculty, research opportunities and close industry partnerships.

Our petroleum engineering program explores a variety of disciplines and topics related to petroleum engineering, including:

• Oil and natural gas exploration and extraction
• Drilling, completions, stimulation and production
• Reservoir engineering and simulation
• Data analytics and machine learning
• Geothermal energy
• Carbon sequestration
• Sustainability, environmental and safety issues

And more. Our graduates go on to a variety of exciting careers in the petroleum engineering field. Whether working as production engineers, reservoir engineers, drilling engineers, data scientists, consultants or even entering academics, Mines students are some of the most sought after graduates in the industry.

Program Objectives (ABET Focused)

• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
• An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
• An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
• An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
• An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Petroleum Engineering program’s objectives are broad statements that describe what our graduates are expected to attain within three to five years of completing their degree. The Petroleum Engineering Department’s faculty and other constituents have affirmed the following Program Educational Objectives:

• Obtain an industry, government, or academic position in petroleum engineering, or a related field, or be pursuing a graduate education in petroleum engineering or in a related field;
• Demonstrate advancement in their chosen careers and exercising leadership in the area of petroleum engineering;
• Continue to develop personally and professionally, and serve others, through continuing education, professional societies, educational institutions, community groups, and other organizations; and,
• Identify the ethical implications and social impacts of engineering decisions.

ABET Accreditation Status

The Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org/, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Petroleum and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Primary Contact

Jennifer Miskimins, Department Head
https://petroleum.mines.edu/

Professors

Hossein Kazemi, Chesebro' Distinguished Chair

Jennifer L. Miskimins, Department Head, F.H. "Mick" Merelli/Cimarex Energy Distinguished Department Head

Erdal Ozkan

Yu-Shu Wu

Associate professors

Pejman Tahmasebi

Luis E. Zerpa, Associate Department Head, Harry D. Campbell Chair in Petroleum Engineering

Assistant professors

Parisa Bazazi

Yilin Fan

Serveh Kamrava

Mohamed Khaled

Teaching Professor

Linda A. Battalora

Teaching Associate Professors

Mansur Ermila

Mark G. Miller

Research Professor

Ali Tura

Research Associate Professor

Philip H. Winterfeld

Emeriti Professors

Ramona M. Graves, Professor and Dean Emeritus

Bill Scoggin, President Emeritus

Craig W. Van Kirk, Professor Emeritus

Emeriti Associate Professor

Richard Christiansen, Associate Professor Emeritus

Alfred W. Eustes III, Associate Professor Emeritus

Curriculum

All disciplines within petroleum engineering are covered to great depth at the undergraduate and graduate levels, both in the classroom and laboratory instruction, and in research. Specific areas include fundamental fluid and rock behavior, drilling, formation evaluation, well completions and stimulation, well testing, production operations and artificial lift, reservoir engineering, supplemental and enhanced oil recovery, economic evaluation of petroleum projects, environmental and safety issues, and the computer simulation of most of these topics.

The Petroleum Engineering student studies mathematics, computer science, chemistry, physics, general engineering, geology, the humanities, technical communication (including researching subjects, report writing, oral presentations, and listening skills), and environmental topics. A unique aspect is the breadth and depth of the total program structured in a manner that prepares each graduate for a successful career from the standpoints of technical competence, managerial abilities, and multidisciplinary experiences. The needs for continued learning and professionalism are stressed.

The strength of the program comes from the high quality of students and professors. The faculty has expertise in teaching and research in all the major areas of petroleum engineering listed above. Additionally, many of the faculty members have significant industrial backgrounds that lead to meaningful design experiences for the students. Engineering design is taught throughout the curriculum including a senior design course on applying the learned skills to real world reservoir development and management problems. 

The department is constantly updating the instructional facilities and equipment for laboratory instruction and experimental research. To maintain leadership in future petroleum engineering technology, decision making, and management, computers are incorporated into every part of the program, from undergraduate instruction through graduate student and faculty research.

The department is close to oil and gas field operations, petroleum companies, research laboratories, and geologic out-crops of nearby producing formations. There are many opportunities for short field trips and for summer and part-time employment in the oil and gas industry.

Degree Requirements (Petroleum Engineering)

Major GPA

During the 2016-2017 academic year, the Undergraduate Council considered the policy concerning required major GPAs and which courses are included in each degree’s GPA.  While the GPA policy has not been officially updated, in order to provide transparency, council members agreed that publishing the courses included in each degree’s GPA is beneficial to students. 

The following list details the courses that are included in the GPA for this degree:

• PEGN100 through PEGN599 inclusive

Five-Year Combined Baccalaureate and Master's Degree

The Petroleum Engineering Department offers the opportunity to begin work on a Master of Engineering or Master of Science Degree while completing the requirements for the bachelor's Degree. These degrees are of special interest to those planning on studying abroad or wanting to get a head start on graduate education. 

Students enrolled in Mines’ combined undergraduate/graduate program may double count up to six credits of graduate coursework to fulfill requirements of both their undergraduate and graduate degree programs. These courses must have been passed with “B-” or better, not be substitutes for required coursework, and meet all other University, Department, and Program requirements for graduate credit.

Students are advised to consult with their undergraduate and graduate advisors for appropriate courses to double count upon admission to the combined program.

COURSES