Petroleum Engineering

Programme Structure & Content

The distinctiveness of this programme is provided by its combination of excellence in both Engineering and in Petroleum Geoscience. With Engineering at its heart, the programme also draws upon excellent teaching and research in Exploration and Production Geoscience, and in physical and organic Chemistry, thereby providing students with a clear understanding of the challenges faced by a Petroleum Engineer at an inter-disciplinary level. The programme is also focussed towards enabling graduates to confront the cutting-edge challenges of the future as the industry extends its reach into ever more complex problems.

An example of the programme content is included for reference. Please note specific courses and course titles are subject to change:

First Year

• Engineering Mathematics 1
• Engineering Science
• Engineering, Communication & Design 1 & 2 (laboratory, practical and project-based)
• Engineering Chemistry 1 & 2
• Applied Mechanics and Structures
• Materials Forming our Dynamic Earth

Second Year

• Engineering Mathematics 2 & 3
• Materials and Structures
• Reservoir Geology (field and project-based)
• Engineering Design 1 & 2 (laboratory, practical and project-based)
• Petroleum Engineering Fundamentals
• Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics

Third Year

• Engineering Analysis and Methods
• Engineering Design 3 (laboratory, practical and project-based)
• Engineering Materials
• Process Modelling and Control
• Principles of Petroleum Geology
• Drilling Engineering
• Economics, Resource and Safety Management
• Petroleum Fluid Properties
• Multi-phase flow

Fourth Year

• Safety and Reliability Engineering
• Well Engineering and Completion
• Reservoir Modelling
• Advanced Petroleum Process Control
• Group Project
• Individual Project

Teaching & Assessment

There will be examinations at the end of each half session, in January and June. Some courses, such as Design and Practice, are continuously assessed and are based around practical and laboratory work. Design exercises and experiments must be recorded in a log book and a formal report will be required. The individual project in year 4 is a major element of each honours course which leads to an individual thesis based on a substantial theoretical or practical study.

Engineering at Aberdeen provides a modern and attractive environment for teaching and learning, supported by excellent workshops and laboratories dedicated to particular areas of work. The University has embarked on a major programme refurbishing and upgrading the facilities for Physical Sciences. This will include substantial investment in lecturing and laboratory facilities, along with computing facilities for students. In addition, the University has just completed new social and catering facilities for students and a major new library facility is planned for the near future.