Courses Handbook 2009

305003 v.2 Doctor of Petroleum Engineering

DPetEng(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 043931A
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 4 Years


Introduction

This research doctorate provides intensive training through coursework and research for graduates in engineering and science for professional work in the upstream oil and gas industry. The coursework component of the degree is comprehensive in nature and provides a multi-disciplinary education and hands-on training in petroleum engineering. This is followed by research in the areas of petroleum engineering and geoscience. The members of the teaching staff in the Department are professionals with many years of working and research experience in the oil and gas industry.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

A master degree or an honours degree (normally first or upper second class) in a relevant engineering or science discipline. Candidates with degrees in other areas together with relevant work experience may be considered.

Note

There are no intermediate awards for the Doctor of Petroleum Engineering. However, a student may convert from the Doctor of Petroleum Engineering to the Master of Engineering (Petroleum Engineering) by research.

Duration and Availability

The course is by research and normally requires three to four years of full-time study.

Course Organisation

This course is studied as a research degree. This means that at least two-thirds of this course is undertaken by research and the remainder by coursework. Students complete doctoral level core units - the coursework component is structured around a modular approach with a unit taking one month of intensive lectures and application training on actual oil and gas field examples. Depending upon academic background, work experience and career aspirations, candidates may choose from a range of units offered by various disciplines within the University. Through its extensive contacts in the industry the Department will often be able to offer special course units delivered by recognised world experts. The actual units available at any time shall be under the guidance of, and subject to approval by the Academic Enrolment Committee. A total of eight units must be completed successfully to meet the program requirements. The research topic is selected on the basis of industry needs, originality and the areas of expertise of the student. The thesis follows Rule 10: Degree of Doctor by Research. The Department is able to offer research opportunities in either theoretical or experimental areas, or both.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials.

Special Note

The Faculty of Science and Engineering provides facilities and benefits to those studying this research course, including access to suitable computer facilities and office space for on-campus students, financial assistance to attend appropriate intrastate, interstate or overseas conferences and towards associated research costs.

Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.

Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Majors, Streams or Other Core Components
304376 v.2   Doctoral Thesis - Petroleum Engineering
Year 1
304460 v.2   Applied Geology and Geophysics 702 40.0 25.0
304461 v.2   Drilling Engineering 703 40.0 25.0
304464 v.2   Fundamentals of Reservoir Engineering 705 40.0 25.0
304465 v.2   Hydrocarbon Phase Behaviour 706 40.0 25.0
304466 v.2   Formation Evaluation 704 40.0 25.0
304467 v.2   Advanced Reservoir Engineering 701 40.0 25.0
310361 v.1   Petroleum Assets Management 602 30.0 50.0
  200.0
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