Petroleum engineering is the practical application of the basic and physical sciences of mathematics, geology, physics, and chemistry and all of the engineering sciences to the discovery, development, production, and transportation of petroleum. Petroleum is the most widely used form of mobile energy and now supplies approximately three-fourths of the total energy used in the United States. It is also a major raw material from which a wide variety of products are manufactured. The department strongly encourages students to experience at least one summer internship for professional growth. Intern students will be assessed externally. The department has conferred over 2,800 B.S. degrees since the program’s inception in 1946. The department is heavily involved in assisting students to find employment—both summer internships and full-time positions—upon graduation. An interview and resume workshop for the fall and spring semesters is conducted through the dean’s office to assist students with interviewing and resume writing skills as an additional effort to maintain petroleum engineering’s outstanding placement rate through the Dean’s office. The curriculum is under continuous review, and revisions are made as needed to maintain accreditation and ensure employability of students. Faculty participation with ABET and the SPE Education and Accreditation Committee ensure the department is current on engineering education. In addition, faculty have attended and been principal planners in all nine of the Colloquiums on Petroleum Engineering Education. Changes in the petroleum engineering curriculum since 1991 have been implemented by the Petroleum Engineering Curriculum Committee after due consideration of input fromthe Petroleum Industry Advisory Board, ABET recommendations, and the department’s planning and assessment tools. The Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

Graduates of the Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering must demonstrate the following: an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired item an ability to function on multi−disciplinary teams an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility an ability to communicate effectively the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context a recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life−long learning a knowledge of contemporary issues an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice