Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering

Energy is a key component of our everyday lives, and a secure energy future requires a balance between environmental impact and affordable supply. Petroleum and geosystems engineers are able to address and solve important issues that will lead to energy security and thus are in high demand.

Petroleum engineers provide the technological expertise to bring oil and natural gas from deep within the earth to the surface for delivery to processing facilities. Petroleum engineers focus on the efficient and safe extraction of fluids from their natural geologic formations.

In addition to traditional petroleum engineering career choices, there are other emerging careers for petroleum engineering graduates in pollution clean­up, underground waste disposal (including the subsurface injection of carbon dioxide to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases), and hydrology. These disciplines increasingly rely on the expertise of petroleum engineers. Additional energy-related applications for which petroleum engineers are uniquely educated include in situ uranium leaching, geothermal energy production, and coal gasification.

Since many petroleum companies conduct worldwide operations, the petroleum engineer may have the opportunity for assignments all over the world. Petroleum engineers must solve the variety of technological, political, and economic problems encountered in these assignments. These exciting technological challenges combine to offer the petroleum engineer a most rewarding career.

Graduates of the program are expected to understand the fundamental principles of science and engineering behind the technology of petroleum engineering to keep their education current and to give them the capability of self-instruction after graduation. They should be prepared to serve society by using the ideals of ethical behavior, professionalism, and environmentally responsible stewardship of natural resources.

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering requires 128 semester credit hours (SCH) for completion. Many students can claim credit by exam for some B.S. ASE degree requirements through AP, IB, and entrance exam scores.

For more information on degree requirements and course syllabi, visit the Cockrell School of Engineering degree catalogs and course descriptions.

Current Catalogs

• Petroleum Engineering Degree Plan (24–26)
• Petroleum Engineering Undergraduate Curriculum Flowchart (24–26)
• Petroleum Engineering Approved Technical Electives (24–26)