UW Trustees Approve New Undergraduate Certificate in Subsurface Energy

The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees has approved a new undergraduate certificate in subsurface energy, designed to solidify Wyoming’s position as a global leader in energy education and workforce development.

The certificate is a strategic collaboration between UW’s School of Energy Resources (SER) and the Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. By blending SER’s interdisciplinary focus with the department’s deep technical expertise, the program offers a unique educational pathway that bridges traditional methods with future technologies.

The certificate also was approved by the Higher Learning Commission and will be available to students starting this fall.

“This certificate is being launched in a very niche area with limited availability across the country, making this credential in high demand,” says SER Senior Assistant Dean Kami Danaei. “Our goal is to open the field of oil and gas to a broader audience of students who have stronger technical backgrounds and an interest in subsurface energy, but who may be majoring in other engineering or science disciplines.”

While the oil and gas industry has historically experienced boom and bust cycles, leading to fluctuations in petroleum engineering enrollment, demand for subsurface expertise remains at an all-time high. Modern energy companies are rapidly diversifying their portfolios to include carbon storage, geothermal energy and digital innovation.

The subsurface energy certificate is specifically designed to address this shift. It integrates traditional petroleum foundations with modern sustainability and digital themes, including emerging technologies, energy economics, law and digital technologies, such as geographic information systems, blockchain and data analytics, to ensure UW graduates are prepared for the evolving demands of the energy workforce.

The 18-credit certificate is entirely composed of existing courses offered at UW and is tailored for students currently pursuing technical degrees who wish to add a specialized energy credential to their resume. 

“We are so pleased that we are able to launch this remarkable certificate by consolidating existing resources and multidisciplinary expertise into a package that will broaden opportunities to a wider swath of students without delaying graduation,” says Minou Rabiei, a professor of petroleum engineering and a major adviser for the creation of the certificate. “Cross-collaborations are beneficial for student success and will ultimately make for a more well-rounded and adaptable workforce.”

This initiative reinforces UW’s mission as a land-grant institution to support Wyoming’s core industries while driving national energy innovation. Through these partnerships, the university continues to bridge the gap between academic excellence and industry needs.

“Wyoming is a recognized leader in the subsurface expertise and petroleum engineering,” says SER acting Executive Director Scott Quillinan. “Partnerships between SER and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, such as the subsurface energy certificate, continue to elevate our institutional reputation and provide exceptional opportunities that can set our graduates apart.”

To learn more about the certificate, email SER at seracad@uwyo.edu.