USC
University of Southern California
black horizontal bar for print styles

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Petroleum Engineering)

See the listing under Chemical Engineering.

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Petroleum Engineering)

See the listing under Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.

Minor in Petroleum Engineering

A minor in petroleum engineering consisting of 16 required units is available to undergraduate majors in various fields of engineering and applied science. Besides preparing for graduate study in petroleum engineering, the program will prepare students for careers in areas of national need such as the exploration, recovery and production of subterranean resources, and the underground disposal of hazardous wastes.

Prerequisite courses:
MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 226, MATH 245, PHYS 151L and CHEM 105aL, CE 309

Required coursesUnits
PTE 461Formation Evaluation3
PTE 462Economic, Risk and Formation Productivity Analysis4
PTE 463LIntroduction to Transport Processes in Porous Media3
PTE 464LPetroleum Reservoir Engineering3
PTE 465LDrilling Technology and Subsurface Methods3
16

Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering

The Master of Science in petroleum engineering is awarded in strict conformity with the general requirements of the Viterbi School of Engineering. A student may be permitted to elect the program without thesis upon approval from the department.

Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering/Smart Oilfield Technologies

The Master of Science in petroleum engineering/smart oilfield technologies is awarded in strict conformity with the general requirements of the Viterbi School of Engineering. A student may be permitted to elect the program without thesis upon approval from the department. Course requirements are similar to the existing M.S. degree in petroleum engineering in terms of core requirements.

Certificate in Smart Oilfield Technologies

The certificate in smart oilfield techniques is designed for practicing engineers and scientists who enter petroleum engineering related fields and/or who wish to obtain training in the specific smart oilfields area. The applicants may enroll at USC as limited status students. They must apply and be admitted to the program before they complete 9 units of the required course work. The certificate program is open to applicants with an undergraduate degree in engineering or sciences who meet the admission criteria as limited students. The required courses consist of the following 12 units:

Required coursesUnits
PTE 586Intelligent and Collaborative Oilfield Systems Characterization and Management3
PTE 587Smart Completions, Oilfield Sensors and Sensor Technology3
PTE 588Smart Oilfield Data Mining3
PTE 589Advanced Oilfield Operations with Remote Visualization and Control3

These classes will be available through the USC Distance Education Network (DEN). The credit for classes may be applied toward the M.S. or Ph.D. in petroleum engineering should the student decide later to pursue an advanced degree. In order to be admitted to the M.S. program, the student should maintain a B average or higher in courses for the certificate program and must satisfy all normal admission requirements. All courses for the certificate must be taken at USC.

Engineer in Petroleum Engineering

Requirements for the Engineer degree in petroleum engineering are the same as set forth in the general requirements. See general requirements for graduate degrees.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in petroleum engineering is also offered. See general requirements for graduate degrees.