Petroleum Engineering

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Professor teaching students in lab

Earn Your Degree at UW

Energy is the lifeblood of modern society, powering everything from our daily commutes to the global economy. As an Energy and Petroleum Engineering student, you'll play a vital role in shaping the world's energy future, from everyday energy usage to large-scale global systems. Your education will equip you with the skills and knowledge to make a real difference in the world and contribute to a more sustainable future for all.

What Exactly is Petroleum Engineering?

At its core, this field is a dynamic blend of science, technology, and innovation, all focused on unlocking the world's vast energy resources. You'll begin with foundational studies in geology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics before diving deeper into the fascinating world of materials science, thermodynamics, and the complex processes involved in hydrocarbon extraction and production.

As a student in Energy and Petroleum Engineering, you'll be part of a vibrant community of learners, all driven by a shared passion for sustainability, safety, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Whether you're interested in exploring new frontiers in renewable energy or optimizing traditional oil and gas production, there's no shortage of exciting opportunities to make a real impact in the world.

So join us on this exciting journey, and help shape the world's energy future for generations to come.

Students in drilling simulator
Student in lab

We encourage our students to seek out relevant minors and electives to enhance their education and future career, such as:

  • Unconventional Reservoirs
  • Land Surveying
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management

UW’s petroleum engineering program is accredited by ABET, the international body that vets engineering, technology and applied science programs for quality.

Outside the EERB

What Can You Do With a Petroleum Engineering Bachelor’s Degree?

A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Wyoming makes it possible for you to enter the dynamic and lucrative field of petroleum engineering. UW petroleum engineering alumni are working all over the world in jobs that run the gamut from hands-on engineering positions to leadership roles.

Petroleum Engineering Careers

UW Department of Petroleum Engineering alumni have titles such as:

  • Production engineering specialist
  • Field engineer
  • Senior completions engineer
  • Drilling engineer
  • Reservoir engineer
  • Performance analyst
  • Project engineer
  • Vice president of operations
  • Senior gas engineer
  • Chief Operating Officer - Production
  • Senior Vice President - Wells
  • Senior Vice President technology and services
  • VP strategic supplier performance

 

Student standing in drill simulator

Here are some companies where University of Wyoming petroleum engineering graduates are making contributions:

  • Anadarko
  • Hess
  • ConocoPhillips
  • EOG Resources
  • Chevron
  • Shell
  • BP
  • Impac Exploration Services
  • Halliburton
  • QEP Resources
  • Four Corners Petroleum
  • Schlumberger

UW graduates also go on to graduate programs at the University of Texas, Texas A&M, University of Oklahoma, University of Wyoming and more.

mountain logo

Petroleum Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Program Highlights

World-class facilities, internationally known faculty and a location that’s a hub for the petroleum industry. These are just some of the reasons for choosing UW. Here are a few others:

Scholarships

UW’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences offers 300-plus scholarships a year, of which many are specifically for petroleum engineering students.

Personal Attention

The UW engineering college boasts an 18:1 faculty-student ratio and 90 percent of courses are taught by engineering professors not grad students. This means more access to faculty, more opportunities for mentoring and more insight into petroleum-related careers.

 

Internships

Get on-the-job experience—and possibly job offers—by completing internships, often during the summer. UW petroleum engineering students have interned at Anadarko, BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Hess, Kuwait Oil Co., Matador, Noble Energy, Royal Dutch Shell, Turkish Petroleum, True Oil LLC, Baker Hughes, Encana and others.

Facilities

UW and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences are home to a state-of-the-art Drilling and Completions Simulation Lab, the most advanced of its kind in higher education worldwide, as well as world-class laboratories for drilling fluids, petrophysics, production engineering and project design/simulation. The College of Engineering is also home to the High Bay Research Facility, which houses the Center of Innovation for Flow Through Porous Media where critical research in oil and gas is conducted. The Energy Innovation Center is equipped with the Shell 3D Visualization Center and labs for enhanced oil recovery, hydrogen storage, and carbon capture research projects. 

Faculty

Study with people who are breaking ground in areas such as clean energy, shale gas, shale oil, rock physics and reservoir modeling. Professors of practice offer insights into the way the industry actually operates, based on their many years of experience.

Student Organizations

Network and learn more about the field of petroleum engineering by getting involved in the student chapters of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the American Association of Drilling Engineering (AADE), the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC),  American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA), and Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), and Pi Epsilon Tau, the petroleum engineering honor society.

Housing

UW has designated three floors in McIntyre Hall for engineering students only, so you can live and study with petroleum engineering peers.

Undergraduate Research

As a UW petroleum engineering student, you will have the chance to apply for funding to help pay for original research projects.

 

I’m convinced you get just as good of an education here as you would from any Ivy League school. Shell hires from all over. I was paired with interns from MIT, Harvard and Stanford, and I felt I was just as competitive and just as knowledgeable from my schooling here as they were.

- Tylynn Smith, B.S. '17
Drilling Engineer for Royal Dutch Shell

Contact Us

We're Eager to Help!

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Department of Energy & Petroleum Engineering

Department 3295, 1000 E. University Avenue

Laramie, WY 82071

Email: pete-info@uwyo.edu