Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering Requirements
The BSc in Petroleum Engineering program has a modern and well-balanced curriculum that emphasizes not only petroleum engineering fundamentals but also the business processes applied to reach optimal engineering solutions for field development and operations.
This program is uniquely defined by well-equipped, state-of-the-art modern laboratory and computer facilities and access to local operating companies. The content of our courses, projects, and assignments are selected to help prepare graduates to launch their oil industry careers as willing and eager contributors. Students are well equipped with skills and knowledge of basic engineering and science, fundamental understandings of reservoir, well, and production and surface facilities.
Program Educational Objectives
The BSc in Petroleum Engineering aims to produce graduates who will be able to:
- Demonstrate highest levels of technical competencies, ethical commitments, and social responsibilities to serve the current and future needs of the society.
- Develop and establish themselves as competent professional Engineers in the Oil and Gas Industry to support energy sustainability at large.
- Engage in life-long learning and/or undertake graduate studies to contribute to knowledge creation and innovation.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a BSc in Petroleum Engineering degree will attain the following:
| (1) |
An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics. |
| (2) |
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. |
| (3) |
An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences. |
| (4) |
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. |
| (5) |
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. |
| (6) |
An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions. |
| (7) |
An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies. |
Program Facilities
The Petroleum Engineering Program laboratories include:
- Analytical Instrument Laboratory
- Core Preparation Laboratory
- Drilling Fluids Laboratory
- Drilling Simulation Laboratory
- Fluid Properties Laboratory
- Rock Mechanics Laboratory
- Rock Properties Laboratory
- Production and Facilities Laboratory
Professional Chapters
The Petroleum Engineering program is supported by a student chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). Activities of the SPE student chapter are broadly divided into technical and social functions. Major technical activities include sponsoring students to conferences and Education Weeks organized annually by SPE in conjunction with major oil and gas conferences in the region, field trips, company visits, and technical presentations delivered by industry professionals. Students also participate in regional and international student paper contests where they can showcase their research skills, competing with other students for honors. Social activities include the annual Sports Day, dinners, dhow cruises, visits to other chapters, etc.
Degree Requirements
To be recommended for graduation with a BSc in Petroleum Engineering degree, students must satisfactorily complete the courses in the specified categories as set out below. The categories cover the University General Education Requirements (GER, 48 credits), Introduction to Computing (4 credits), Engineering Internship (2 credits), and additional math/science courses (13 credits), as well as Petroleum Engineering Core, Technical and Free Electives requirements. The normal length of the program is 139 credits.
Additional Math/Sciences Requirements (13 credits)
To satisfy the College of Engineering Requirements, the BSc in Petroleum Engineering requires the following Math/Sciences courses in addition to the Math/Sciences required in GER: CHEM 115, PHYS 121, PHYS 122, MATH 111, and MATH 112. The BSc in Petroleum Engineering requires different math/sciences courses for a total of 13 credits.
Petroleum Engineering Core Requirements (57 credits)
Petroleum Engineering Technical Electives (12 credits)
The following is a sample list of courses that will satisfy the technical electives of the BSc in Petroleum Engineering. Students must select a total of 12 credits from this list. Technical electives must be at 300-level or 400-level and at most three credits may be Undergraduate Research or Research Topics. In addition, courses from the list below may be taken to satisfy the free electives requirement. Additional courses may be approved by the department as technical electives.
Free Electives (3 credits)
Students must complete 3 credits of free electives which are intended to provide students with flexibility to support their career paths and individual interests.