University of Tulsa

Petroleum Engineering Department
800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104
Phone: (918) 631-2533
Facsimile: (918) 631-2059

Department email: pe_department@utulsa.edu
Department website: www.pe.utulsa.edu

Dean: Steven Bellovich, Dean of the College of Engineering & Natural Sciences
Chair: Mohan Kelkar, Chairman and Williams Endowed Chair Professor

Contact Information

Petroleum Engineering Degree Information

Program Description

Accreditation

The four year basic level day program in Petroleum Engineering is accredited by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).

Curriculum Description

Undergraduate:

The objective of the undergraduate program is to provide basic and applied knowledge in petroleum engineering, with equal emphasis on drilling and completion, production and reservoir areas using the fundamental building blocks of mathematics, physical and engineering sciences.

Masters and Doctorate:

The Masters and Ph.D. degrees are designed to produce graduates with a high level of competence in the broad field of petroleum engineering. The curriculum covers the essential areas of drilling, production, and reservoir engineering. Graduate research is conducted in reservoir simulation, well test analysis, reservoir characterization, multiphase flow in pipes, mechanics of tubulars, cuttings transport, formation damage, artificial lift, and enhanced oil recovery.

Program Admission Requirements

Undergraduate:

Graduate of accredited high school program in the upper 25% is preferred. The university strongly encourages applicants to have taken 4 units of college preparatory English, 3 units of college preparatory social studies, 4-5 units of college preparatory mathematics,4 units of college preparatory science with lab, 2 units same foreign language and ½ fine arts and humanities. Computer competency is expected.

Masters and Doctorate:

Masters: A 3.0 grade-point average is the minimum norm for the Master’s degree program. A student must maintain a 3.0 overall grade-point average and at least a 3.0 average in his major field of study. Not more than six hours of C grades in course work are acceptable in the Master’s program. Thesis grades are recorded on a pass-fail basis and are not computed in grade-point averages. A passing grade in thesis hours is required. Initial advisement of all Master’s program students is by a graduate coordinator appointed by the chair of the department. All courses taken for graduate credit in other programs shall be selected from those listed in the graduate bulletin and the choices are subject to the approval of the adviser. No more than six semester hours of approved courses can be transferred.

Upon completion of the research, the student pursuing the thesis must pass a comprehensive oral examination. After consulting with the student, the adviser recommends, for the Graduate Dean’s approval, an oral examination committee consisting of the adviser and two other graduate faculty members. In addition to the adviser, at least one other committee member must be from the Petroleum Engineering Department. The remaining committee member may either be a University of Tulsa faculty member from a department other than Petroleum Engineering, or a qualified expert in the research area from outside the University. The comprehensive oral examination covers the research work and content of the thesis.

Doctorate: An applicant must have a baccalaureate degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics from an accredited institution. A student with a baccalaureate degree must meet the requirements for admission to a master’s program within the division. Admission for Ph.D. work then requires at least a 3.5 grade-point average in the first 30 hours of graduate work and approval of the graduate faculty in the department and the Graduate Dean. All applicants must take the General Tests of the Graduate Record Examination prior to admission. U.S. citizens and applicants from English-speaking countries must make a minimum combined (quantitative and verbal) score of 1100, with a minimum quantitative score of 700. Applicants from other countries must make a minimum quantitative score of 700. It is emphasized that the above requirements are minimum requirements. Although no minimum requirements are stated, scores on the verbal and analytical parts of the GRE exam are considered when an applicant’s credentials are evaluated. It is expected that the qualifications of students entering the program will substantially exceed the minimum requirements. A student who meets only the minimum requirements in each of the above areas will, normally, be denied admission. The number of candidates in this program, both part-time and full-time, is limited. Normally, part-time students are not admitted to this program. Applicants must designate their major fields of research interest. Applicants usually are selected for admission on March 1 and November 1, but will be considered throughout the year. All applicants from non-English speaking countries who have not received B.S. degrees from U.S. universities must satisfy English proficiency requirements (TOEFL score of 550).

Faculty Information

Cumulative Degrees Awarded

Curriculum Analysis