Colorado School of Mines

Petroleum Engineering Department
1500 Illinois Street
Golden, Colorado 80401
Phone: (303) 273-3740
Facsimile: (303) 273-3189

Department email: cvankirk@mines.edu
Department website: http://www.mines.edu/academic/petroleum

Dean: Dr. Nigel T. Middleton, Vice President and Dean of Faculty
Chair: Dr. Craig W. Van Kirk, Department Head, Petroleum Engineering

Contact Information

Petroleum Engineering Degree Information

http://www.mines.edu/publications (Graduate Bulletin)

Accreditation

The four-year basic level day program in Petroleum Engineering is accredited by the EAC of ABET.

Curriculum Description

Undergraduate:

All disciplines within petroleum engineering are covered to great depth. Specific areas include drilling, formation evaluation, well completions and stimulation, well testing, production operations and artificial lift, reservoir engineering and enhanced oil recovery, economic evaluation of petroleum projects, fundamental fluid and rock behavior, and the computer simulation of most of these topics.

The program is based on solid foundations in math, computer sciences, chemistry, physics, general engineering, geology, the humanities, technical communication including report writing and public speaking, and environmental issues. A unique aspect is the breadth and depth of the total program to prepare each graduate for a successful career from the standpoints of technical competence and managerial abilities. The needs for continue earning and professionalism are stressed.

Masters and Doctorate:

The candidate for the masters or doctorate degree must have completed essentially the equivalent of the work required for the BS degree in petroleum engineering at the Colorado school of Mines. The candidate selects the program by consultation with the advisor and with the approval of the committee. Individual programs are tailored to the needs and interests of the student. In a joint student exchange program with the Mining University Leoben, Leoben, Austria, a student can take advantage of an International Studies Program (ISP). Students involved in the ISP spend one semester studying petroleum engineering in Austria and receive full transfer credit back to CSM. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for this exchange program.

Program Admission Requirements

Undergraduate:

Criteria in the admission decision include (1) specific pattern of course work in high school or college, (2) grades or marks earned in those courses, (3) rank in class, (4) aptitude test scores (ACT or SAT), and (5) other available test scores. No single criteria for admission is used; however, the most important single factor considered is scholastic achievement in high school or college.

Masters and Doctorate:

The Graduate School of the Colorado school of Mines is open to graduates of any institution of recognized standing under the conditions outlined for the type of admission described. An engineering background is desirable. To be admitted to graduate school in pursuit of an advanced degree the student must have received a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or science from a four-year program in a recognized college or university. Students must have achieved high placement in the upper levels of their class and also show promise of excellent graduate study and research.

Faculty Information

Cumulative Degrees Awarded

Curriculum Analysis

Please see website: http://www.mines.edu/publications, (see Undergraduate Bulletin, PE Curriculum)