Curtin University of Technology

Petroleum Engineering Department
26 Dick Perry Ave., Kensington
Po Box U1987
Perth, Australia 6845
Phone: 61.8.9266.4672
Facsimile: 61.8.9266.7063

Department email: l.liddle@curtin.edu.au
Department website: www.petroleum.curtin.edu.au

Dean: Moses Tade, Dean of Engineering
Chair: Brian Evans, Head of Department of Petroleum Engineering

Contact Information

Petroleum Engineering Degree Information

http://www.petroleum.curtin.edu.au

Accreditation

The four year Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering commenced first year in 2009. It is expected to be accredited by the Institute of Engineers Australia during 2009, allowing graduates to become graduate professional engineers in preparation for application to be a Chartered professional engineer later in their careers.

Curriculum Description

Undergraduate:

The B Eng program educates the student fully in the basic sciences of geology, physics, mathematics, and chemistry and all of the engineering sciences required in the discovery, development, production, evaluation, and transportation of petroleum fluids. First year is the combined year with all other engineers of the other disciplines- this is known as the Engineering Foundation Year (EFY). This is the major year which qualifies students for accreditation. The subsequent years have a stronger focus on petroleum engineering with many principals from industry being involved in lectures and field trips. Perth sits on the Perth Basin, which is approximately 1,000 km long by up to 200km wide. It has many oil and gas fields- the closest being 2 hours drive from campus. Perth is the centre of the oil and gas industry in Australia, and has numerous multinational oil and gas companies based here. There are outstanding opportunities for local employment with either local or international oil companies. International graduates of this program have a chance of applying for permanent residency if they are employed by a Perth-based company.

Masters:

The course work Masters in Petroleum Engineering (M Pet Eng) has produced some 200 graduates since its commencement over 10 years ago. It is operated over 3 semesters taking 1.5 years to complete, and may be considered as a conversion course for other engineering and science graduates to convert to become a professional petroleum engineer. A variation of this- the course work Master of Engineering Science (M Eng Sc- Pet Eng) is identical to the M Pet Eng but provides a research project for a fourth semester, making the program a full 2 years in length, which then allows international students to apply for permanent residency. In addition, the research project is taken in a company office and consequently company contacts are well established before application for PR is made. An alternative program is the Masters of Petroleum Well Engineering (M Pet Well Eng) which focuses on producing a professional well engineer. A minimum of 65% is the pass mark to achieve throughout these programs- any mark achieved less than 65% and more than 50% results in the student entering the Post Graduate Diploma program in Petroleum Engineering (PGD Pet Eng). This qualification is suitable for working in the service industry (graduates are still professional engineers) but not generally with operating companies.

Doctorate:

The departmental policy is that anyone who wishes to enter this research program must already have an upper level B Eng (Pet Eng) or an M Pet Eng, or equivalent. In normal circumstances, PhD students do not enter the petroleum engineering research program directly without one of these two qualifications. This program is full-time and of 3 to 4 years duration. It is very rare for a thesis to be presented within 3 years. There is potential for PhD students to assist lectures, labs and tutorials to earn additional income.

Program Admission Requirements

Undergraduate:

For Australian students, a TER of at least 85 allows the student entry to all engineering programs. Students with TER greater than 95, has potential to be awarded an engineering scholarship. For international students, they must pass the IELTS mark with over 6.5- for further information see the international students section on the university web site www.curtin.edu.au.

Masters (by coursework):

A good quality Bachelors degree in an appropriate engineering or science area is required, from a recognized university. The major issue is whether the student has achieved adequate marks in Calculus, engineering mathematics, physics and chemistry. Engineers, physicists and geologists often make acceptable Master’s students but computer scientists are often discouraged due to their lack of mathematics and physics (apart from which accreditation as a professional engineer is also very difficult). Students who do not have an adequate background are advised to complete the 1-year Post Graduate Diploma in Chemical Engineering- successful completion of which allows entry into the Masters program.

Masters (by research):

A good quality Bachelors degree in petroleum engineering.

Doctorate:

A high quality Bachelors degree in Petroleum Engineering or Master of Petroleum Engineering.