Petroleum Engineering M.S.

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Minimum Requirements for Petroleum Engineering M.S.: 30 credits

Credits
General University Requirements
Complete the graduate general university requirements.
Master’s Degree Requirements
Complete the master's degree requirements.
Petroleum Engineering Program Requirements
Complete four of the following:12
PETE F607
Advanced Production Engineering
PETE F608
Flow Assurance in the Petroleum Industry
PETE F610
Advanced Reservoir Engineering
PETE F621
Applied Reservoir Characterization
PETE F630
Waterflooding
PETE F656
Advanced Petroleum Economic Analysis
PETE F661
Applied Well Testing
PETE F662
Enhanced Oil Recovery
PETE F663
Applied Reservoir Simulation
PETE F665
Advanced Phase Behavior
PETE F666
Drilling Optimization
PETE F670
Fluid Flow Through Porous Media
PETE F680
Horizontal Well Technology
PETE F683
Natural Gas Processing and Engineering
PETE F685
Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics
PETE F689
Multiphase Fluid Flow in Pipes
Options
Complete one of the following:18-24
Thesis Option (18 credits)
Non-thesis Option (24 credits)
Total Credits30-36

Options

Thesis Option

Credits
Complete the following:
PETE F699Thesis6
Elective courses 112
Total Credits18
1

Electives are chosen with the approval of the graduate advisory committee.

Non-thesis Option

Credits
Complete the following:
PETE F698Non-thesis Research/Project6
Elective courses 118
Total Credits24
1

Electives are chosen with the approval of the graduate advisory committee.

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Admission Requirements

Complete the following general university admission requirements for graduate programs:

  1. Submit an application for admission

  2. Submit official transcripts

  3. Official test results: GRE scores are not required for this program, but may be considered if submitted

  4. Submit resume/curriculum vitae

  5. Submit statement of academic goals

  6. Submit 3 letters of recommendation

International Students: Please consult UAF’s most recent application requirements regarding English language proficiency.

Additional program admission requirements and information:

The Department of Petroleum Engineering offers both thesis and non-thesis master’s degrees. The department considers a number of factors for admissions.

Typically, students require:

  • A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a closely related field from an accredited, government-recognized university
  • A GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or equivalent from your undergraduate degree
  • GRE is optional for all applicants. Be aware that applicants with a lower GPA, or from a school that the department may not be familiar with, may benefit from providing strong GRE scores.
  • Evidence of English language proficiency
  • Official transcripts are required for admissions; however, unofficial transcripts may be used for review
  • Statement of goals should specify one of the following:
    • Thesis option: Specify that you are interested in pursuing an M.S. with a thesis. Describe the primary research area you are interested in pursuing as a graduate student in an essay approximately one page in length. The essay should discuss specific research interests shared with our faculty.
    • Non-thesis option: Specify that you are interested in pursuing an M.S. without a thesis. Describe your objectives in pursuing an advanced degree. This should be a brief, one-page, summary of your career goals and pertinent experience.

Evaluations for admissions are conducted on an ongoing basis.

The Department of Petroleum Engineering has a small number of highly competitive teaching and research assistantships available. Reviews for these assistantships start in January for the following academic year.

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Roadmaps

Roadmaps provide suggested semester-by-semester study plans for programs and are based on full-time enrollment, unless otherwise specified.

  • This roadmap should be used in conjunction with regular academic advising sessions. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor or mentor each semester.
  • Certain courses and milestones must be completed in the specified semester to ensure on-time graduation.
  • Transfer credits may affect the roadmap.
  • Requirements, course availability, and sequencing may change.
  • Courses marked with (*) are recommended.

Thesis Option

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Program Elective3Program Elective3
Program Elective3Program Elective3
 6 6
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Program Elective3PETE F69918,216
Program Elective3Program Elective3
 Program Elective3
 6 12
Total Credits 30

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

Non-Thesis Option

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Program Elective3Program Elective3
Program Elective3Program Elective3
 Program Elective3
 6 9
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Program Elective3PETE F69918,216
Program Elective3Program Elective3
Program Elective3Program Elective3
 9 12
Total Credits 36

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

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Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes are specific, measurable statements that define the knowledge and skills students will gain by the end of the program.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a broad appreciation of the core disciplines of petroleum engineering, i.e., drilling, reservoir and production
  • Demonstrate an ability to conduct a proper literature review and relate previous work to current challenges
  • Apply principles of engineering, science and mathematics to identify, formulate, provide insight into or solve a petroleum engineering problem
  • Demonstrate the ability to use or develop modern engineering tools
  • Demonstrate good oral and written communication skills