Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering MS Program

Program Mission:
The mission of the ERPE MS program is to educate the next generation of leaders and pioneers in subsurface energy. Through fundamental and interdisciplinary research and sustained engagement and partnership with industry and the global community, we develop scalable, physics-based solutions for the responsible geo-storage and recovery of subsurface energy resources, advancing Vision 2030 energy transition priorities while minimizing environmental impact.

Program Goals:

•  Education: Provide a world-class, graduate education that ensures students master the fundamental physics and interdisciplinary engineering principles required to become leaders and pioneers in subsurface energy.
• Research: Conduct fundamental and interdisciplinary research to develop scalable, physics-based solutions for responsible geo-storage and energy recovery, accelerating the global energy transition. 
• Community & Impact: Cultivate sustained partnerships with industry and the global community, ensuring our research and graduates contribute directly to responsible, environmentally-conscious energy policies and practices.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) 
Knowledge and Understanding:  

•  K1: Critically understand and evaluate the geological, petrophysical, and geomechanical frameworks that govern subsurface energy and mineral resources.
• K2: Explain and critically evaluate the processes and technical challenges of subsurface energy recovery and storage, such as geothermal, CO₂ sequestration/mineralization, underground energy storage, and hydrocarbon systems.
• K3: Develop an advanced understanding of thermodynamics and multiphase flow in porous media to evaluate numerical and data-driven models for prediction, optimization, and uncertainty quantification.
• K4: Critically appraise the scientific and economic foundations of the energy transition to guide responsible, and low-carbon decision-making.

Skills:

•  S1: Design and execute laboratory experiments and field data-acquisition campaigns to characterize geology, mineralogy, and petrophysical properties.
• S2: Develop and apply thermal–hydraulic–mechanical–chemical simulations to analyze and evaluate the performance of subsurface energy and storage systems.
• S3: Formulate data-driven solutions by applying machine learning and statistical analysis to address subsurface challenges such as geo-storage and production optimization.
• S4: Develop comprehensive project plans for subsurface development, integrating technical analysis, uncertainty quantification, and risk management within a structured decision-making framework.

Values, Autonomy, and Responsibility: 

•  V1: Demonstrate autonomy and responsibility by independently managing research or capstone work, making informed technical decisions, and upholding ethical, HSE, and regulatory standards within agreed timelines.
• V2: Work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, coordinating tasks and communicating clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders to solve complex problems.
• V3: Champion ethical and sustainable engineering by evaluating and communicating the safety, environmental, and societal impacts of subsurface projects, and adhering to professional codes of conduct.

Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering MS Program

 The Master of Science (MS) degree comprises thesis and non-thesis options. The Master of Science (MS) degree is awarded upon successful completion of a minimum of 36 credits with a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA. Individual courses require a minimum of a B- grade for course credit.

• Thesis Option: Students demonstrate the learning objectives primarily through the conduct of original research, culminating in a master's thesis. This path emphasizes generating new knowledge and deep, focused inquiry.
• Non-Thesis Option: Students demonstrate the learning objectives primarily through an advanced capstone project and/or a portfolio of course-based work. This path emphasizes the sophisticated application and integration of existing knowledge to solve complex, open-ended problems.