December 2025 Proposed Curriculum Revision of the 3-7-2024 GRO Curriculum for A new BS degree, University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering
For GRO Sophomores in Fall 2027 and thereafter
The 3-7-2024 Curriculum was based on first feedback in 2023 and subsequent endorsement of Ron Hinn of ABET Bridge; a PetE ABET PEV & Team Chair, Former EAC Chair
And a prior second review of ABET syllabi by Ron Hinn in Feb 2024
In Fall of 2025, The Dean of SSOE instructed all SSOE programs, including GRO, to remove “unnecessary credits” and to reduce the total credit hours. The original 131 credit hours of the 3-7-2024 GRO curriculum was tied for the second-highest credit load of any Pitt BS degree (BioE at 131.5, ChE and GRO at 131). In this 12-8-2025 revision the following changes have been proposed.
1. We will retain the originally proposed General Chemistry I and II, and Physics I and II courses (including the 1 credit General Chemistry lab). We will retain both Geology courses 800 and 1410. We will keep the GRO Senior Design Project at 6 credits. We will retain both the GRO elective and the STEM elective However, SSOE students, including GRO students, must now register for the 1 credit General Chemistry 2 lab Chem 0440 as a separate credit (previously the lab credit was essentially counted as 0 credits and was hidden in the three credit general chemistry course). This creditaccounting change results in a change of +1 credit.
2. Reduce GRO 501 Greenhouse Gas Minimization In Production Facilities from 3 credits to 1 credit. This course was originally intended to be 1 credit but was inadvertently listed as 3 credits in prior documents. This is a change of -2 credits.
3. Eliminate the Senior Year Fall Term Numerical methods elective (MEMS 1060, IE 0015 or ECE 1395). The intent of this elective was to require the GRO student to have training in Big Data. Upon our recent review, we found that
a. MEMS 1060 is nearly identical to Sophomore Year Spring Term required course GRO 0150 Numerical Methods and Computer Applications.
b. ECE 1395 Intro to Machine Learning has two pre-requisites that GRO students do not take, making it impractical for the GRO student to select
c. IE 0015 Intro to Data Analytics has pre-requisites that GRO students take and the course covers Big Data, therefore IE 0015 is the only course (of the three choices) that is viable for the GRO student; but the data set examples and problems are not related to oil and gas technology
We therefore propose to drop the IE 0015 3 credit requirement for a change of -3 credits.
4. Instead of relying on IE 0015 for the introduction to Data Analytics, we propose to increase the number of credit hours for GRO 0150 Numerical Methods and Computer Applications from 2 credits to 3 credits, and to change the title to GRO 150 Numerical Methods and Data Analytics for a change of +1 credit Data analytics will be introduced and big data concepts will be illustrated in GRO 0150 with oil and gas case studies and data sets (see the new green highlighted portion of the course description).
GRO 150 Numerical Methods and Data Analytics
Application of computing technology and numerical methods to solve a wide range of petroleum engineering problems. Students use programming tools (e.g., VBA, Python) to implement methods for solving algebraic and transcendental equations, systems of linear equations, and curve-fitting problems. Topics include data storage and retrieval, data processing and visualization, and effective communication of results. Additional topics cover tools for integrating geophysical, geological, and engineering data in reservoir modeling; basic geostatistical principles (including kriging and simulation); upscaling and ranking; forward simulations; and uncertainty analysis. The course also introduces modern data analytics in the context of big data, where engineers are expected to extract and communicate valuable insights from large, unprocessed data sets. These data analytics concepts are illustrated using oil and gas case studies and data sets.
5. Therefore, the new credit total is 131 + 1 - 2 - 3 + 1 = 128 credits
Two Aspirations
Natural Gas and Oil Engineering-Intensive GRO courses
Course descriptions for course with Natural Gas and Oil Engineering content;
This course will begin with an introduction to petroleum geology, structural geology and subsurface (structural/isopach) mapping. This course then covers the fundamental properties of petroleum reservoir rocks, such as porosity, permeability, and electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. The properties of rocks containing multiple fluid saturation (natural gas, oil, water, CO2) including relative permeability, capillary pressure and rock mechanics will also be presented. .This course will introduce the difference between “conventional/unconventional resource plays” and the necessity for different development strategies – e.g. horizontal drilling / hydraulic fracturing.
Petrophysics; Theory and Practice of Measuring Reservoir Rock and Fluid Transport Properties5th Edition - March 1, 2024Authors: Djebbar Tiab, Erle C. Donaldson ISBN: 9780443241277.
The Properties of Petroleum Fluids, by William D. McCain Jr., PennWell Books, Second Edition (1990)
PRE-REQ ENGR 0011, 0012
GRO 0101 ROCK AND FLUID PROPERTIES LABORATORY (ROCK FLUID LAB)
1 NEW
This laboratory course provides hands-on instruction in the determination of the fundamental properties of petroleum reservoir rocks, such as porosity, permeability, electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. The lab also covers core analysis (both conventional and shale), core porosity, electrical properties, fluid saturation, interfacial and surface tension properties, absolute permeability, relative permeability and capillary pressure, water content of oil, BTU content of oil
CO-REQ GRO 0100
GRO 0150 NUMERICAL METHODS AND DATA ANALYTICS (NUM METH DATA ANTC)
Application of computing technology to solve various petroleum engineering problems. Use of various programming methods (e.g. VBA, Python) to solve problems of interest to the petroleum industry, some of which require iterative solutions Tools used for integrating geophysical, geological and engineering data in reservoir modeling. Geostatistical principles including kriging and simulation. Upscaling and ranking, forward simulations, uncertainty analysis. Methods for obtaining numerical solutions with digital computers, methods for solutions of algebraic and transcendental equations, simultaneous linear equations, and curve fitting techniques. The course also introduces modern data analytics in the context of big data, where engineers are expected to extract and communicate valuable insights from large, unprocessed data sets. These data analytics concepts are illustrated using oil and gas case studies and data sets.
Numerical Methods for Engineers 7th Edition by Steven Chapra, Raymond Canale (2014)
PRE-REQ ENGR 0011, 0012, MATH 0230
GRO 0151 ENERGY RESOURCES: FROM HYDROCARBONS TO RENEWABLES; (EN RES HC TO RENEWABLES)
The course covers scientific and engineering fundamentals of conventional, nuclear, and renewable energy processes (e.g., hydrocarbons, nuclear, solar, geothermal, biomass) by thermodynamics analysis of energy conversion processes, power cycles and refrigeration cycles analysis, heat engines, exergy analysis, etc. The course will introduce material and energy balances in non-renewable and renewable energy systems. A review of the role of each type of energy in the world economy today, including various projections of energy demand, transition strategies and future trends are also presented.
Energy Systems Engineering: Evaluation and Implementation, F.M. Vanek, L.D. Albright and L.T. Angenent. 2012. 2nd Edition. McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. New York, NY. 640 pp
PRE-REQ ENGR 0011, 0012, MATH 0230, PHYS 0175
GRO 0201 THERMODYNAMICS AND FLUID MECHANICS LABORATORY (THERMO FLUIDS LAB) 1 NEW
This laboratory course provides hands-on instruction in high pressure phase behavior or oil and natural gas, high pressure viscometry, flash points, centrifugal pumps, single phase friction flow loop, multi-phase flow loop, and gas metering
PRE-REQ OR CO-REQ ME 0051 AND ME 0071
GRO 0300 DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETIONS (DRILLING WELL COMPL) 3 NEW
This class will cover rotary drilling systems, drilling fluids, drilling fluids hydraulics, drill bit hydraulics, cuttings transport, solids control, well control mechanics, well drilling planning for oil, gas or geothermal wells, directional drilling mechanics, drillbit mechanics, drillstring mechanics, pore and fracture pressure predictions, drilling problems, and well planning. Coverage also includes casing and tubing design, principles of cementing, completion, skin, well perforating, hydraulic fracturing, sand control and acidizing. The course will end with special consideration of high temperature drilling challenges, including geothermal drilling
Fundamentals of Drilling Engineering; R. F. Mitchell and S. Z. Miska; SPE, 2011.
Advanced Drilling and Well Technology, Edited by Bernt S. Aadnoy; Iain Cooper; Stefan Z. Miska; Robert F. Mitchell; Michael L. Payne Society of Petroleum Engineers DOI: https://doi.org/10.2118/9781555631451 ISBN electronic: 978-1-61399-944-8 Publication date: 2009
GRO 0100, 0101, 0201, ME 0051, ME 0071, GEOL 0800
GRO 0301 DRILLING AND WELL COMPLETIONS LABORATORY (DRILLING WELL LAB) 1 NEW
This laboratory course provides experiments and a drilling simulator lab that enables the students to learn about controls, operations, data acquisition, hydraulics, blow-out preventers (BOP) and well control, rate of penetration as a function of drill variables; modeling simulation software is also used. Experiments include measurement of drilling mud properties such as viscosity, mud resistivity, emulsion stability.
PRE-REQ GRO 0300
GRO 0303 GEOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND PROCESSING OF UNCONVENTIONAL GAS (GEOL ENG PROC GAS) 3 NEW
This course provides an overview of the unconventional basins and plays – with emphasis on the domestic plays (Marcellus, Utica); characteristics of unconventional oil and gas resources; unconventional resources workflow (geology, exploration, identification, characterization, economics, completions, and development strategies) The course includes a review of strategies for improved gas and/or oil production from these resources, and a very brief review of the production of natural hydrogen The course also covers natural gas processing, petroleum processing and LNG production. The topics include natural gas cleanup, methane reforming for H2 production, partial oxidation of CH4 for synthesis gas production, crude distillation and refinery products, alkylation, hydrotreating, reforming and isomerization, catalytic cracking, tar sands and oil shale processing, and the manufacture of LNG and its role in the domestic and global energy supply.
M. Smith and C. Montgomery, Hydraulic Fracturing published by CRC Press 2015
Fundamentals of Natural Gas Processing, Third Edition Arthur J. Kidnay, W R. Parrish, D McCartney 2019
Handbook of Liquefied Natural Gas1st Ed. 2013 S. Mokhatab, J. Mak, J. Valappil, D. Woo
PRE-REQ GRO 0300, 0301, 0400 GEOL 0800, 1410
GRO 0400 RESERVOIR ENGINEERING 3 NEW
This course provides exposure to volumetrics, determination of fluid contacts, gas reservoir material balance, oil reservoir material balance, diffusivity equation, inflow performance relationships for production and injection, water influx, decline curve analysis, and pressure transient analysis. An introduction to concepts of big data in oil and gas field applications is presented. Special emphasis will be placed on shale gas from the Marcellus. An introduction to the use of reservoir simulation will be provided. Secondary and tertiary methods for oil production are discussed, including water flooding performance predictions for linear, 2D and layered systems with analytical methods and numerical reservoir simulation. The basics of tertiary oil recovery processes, especially steam flooding and CO2 enhanced oil recovery, are presented along with gas storage (CO2 sequestration, H2 storage)
Applied Petroleum Reservoir Engineering 3rd Edition 2014 by Ronald Terry, J. Rogers
Gas Reservoir Engineering: Textbook 5 (SPE Textbook) John Lee, Robert Wattenbarger, 2014, ISBN-13 978-1555630737
GRO 0100, 0101, 0201, 0300 GEOL 0800, 1410
GRO 0500 PRODUCTION, INJECTION, ARTIFICIAL LIFT AND HANDLING FLUIDS (PROD INJ LIFT HAND FLUIDS) 3 NEW
This course covers inflow and injectivity performance relationship, single and multi-phase flow in pipes, components of production and injection systems, and analysis and optimization of production and injection systems. Application to CO2 sequestration, gas storage (CH4 or H2 or air), and geothermal are reviewed. An overview of the common methods for artificially lifting oil wells, dewatering gas wells, and boosting deepwater production; detailed theory design and troubleshooting of important artificial lift methods, including continuous gas lift, beam pumping, electrical submersible pumping, and progressive cavity pumps. The engineering aspects of production facilities including storage/separation/metering/transportation equipment and facilities, will be covered.
Petroleum Production Systems. M J. Economides, A. D. Hill, C. Ehlig-Economides, D. Zhu, Pearson, 2d Edition, 2012.
Production Optimization – H. Dale Beggs, 2nd edition, OGCI Publication, Tulsa, 2003. (Reference book)
GRO 0301, 0400
GRO 0501 GREENHOUSE GAS MINIMIZATION IN PRODUCTION FACILITIES (GHG MIN PRODUCTION) 1 NEW
This course discusses the key environmental aspects of oil and gas production and processing by presenting a historical trend and modern challenges and opportunities in a climate-constrained world related to the industry environmental footprints. The course includes impact assessment (e.g., GHG emissions, particulates, water), mitigation, and regulatory and legal aspects in the oil & gas industry. In addition, emerging mitigation technologies from oil & gas operations (e.g., CCUS, solvent based enhanced recoveries, CO2-EOR, Fugitives sensing/detection/monitoring), legislative/regulatory trends, and advocacy approaches will be explored. Through this course students will be introduced to the two well-known open-source LCA simulators (i.e., OPGEE for upstream operations and PRIMLEM for refining operations) along with LCA inventories like GREET and Ecoinvent.
Oilfield Processing of Petroleum, Vol. 1: Natural Gas, F. Manning, R. Thompson, 1991.
Oilfield Processing of Petroleum: Oilfield Processing, Vol. 2: Crude Oil, F. Manning, R. Thompson, 1995
PRE-REQ GRO 0400
CO-REQ GRO 0500
GRO 0600 SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT
6 NEW SIGNIFICANT DESIGN
This capstone design course involves team project involving the time value of money, profitability measures, engineering analysis and predictions of cash flows of oil and gas properties, life cycle costs of alternative energy courses, revenues, discounts, depreciation, depletion, and risk analysis, and contemporary issues affecting the oil industry. Energy economics and project evaluation with risk analysis topics include decline curve analyses, production forecasting, reserves, project economic evaluation. Economics and aspects of economics (unique to oil industry (reserves, mineral and working interests, oil and gas leases, development costs, etc.) are covered. Student teams are responsible for identifying capstone projects, scoping the project, and completing the project in this six-credit course. Student teams apply knowledge in the areas of geology, reservoir engineering, production, decline curve analysis, drilling and well completions to design problems based on real field data considering risks, sustainability, and environment. Student teams prepare oral presentations and written technical reports that propose economically feasible and environmentally sound strategies of optimizing the production and/or operating conditions for the given data set.
Fraser H.Allen and Richard D.Seba, Economics of Worldwide Petroleum Production, 1993. Third Edition, 2008.
Rognvaldur Hannesson, Petroleum Economics: issues and strategies of oil and natural gas production, 1999
PREREQ GRO 0400, 0500, 0501
CO-REQ GRO 0601
GRO 0601 ETHICS AND SAFETY
1 NEW
This class will provide the student with a thorough understanding of the fundamentals in workplace health and safety with emphasis on petroleum engineering industry applications, with inclusion of a renewable energy engineering topic (lithium battery safety). This will be accomplished through presentation and discussion of critical issues and the application of these principles to the senior design project. This course will also cover ethical situations likely to arise in the oilfield, gas field or CO2 sequestration environment.
Chemical Process Safety – Fundamentals with Applications; Daniel Crowl e-book available, library.pitt.edu
Chemical Safety Board investigation reports and videos (online)
SAChE Level One and Level Two Safety modules (online, free for students)
CO-REQ GRO 0600
GRO 0800 UNDERGRADUATE SEMINAR
0 NEW
This undergraduate seminar will provide a source of information regarding undergraduate curriculum, registration, programs, cooperative education, and other opportunities. Information pertinent to taking and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam will be presented. Also, about half of the invited speakers will be from the renewable energy field and half from the natural gas and oil engineering field.
PRE-REQ ENGR 0011, 0012
29.5 required Natural Gas & Oil Eng course credits
Renewables-intensive required GRO courses
7 core renewable energy engineering courses are mandatory courses for GRO students; (20.5 credits)
GRO 0151, 0252, 0353, 0460, 0470, 0480, 0454
GRO 0151: Energy Resources: From Hydrocarbons to Renewables (EN RES HC TO RENEWABLES)3 credits (0.5 credits natural gas and oil, 2.5 credits renewables) NEW PRE-REQ ENGR 0011, 0012, MATH 0230, PHYS 0175
The course covers scientific and engineering fundamentals of conventional, nuclear, and renewable energy processes (e.g., hydrocarbons, nuclear, solar, geothermal, biomass) by thermodynamics analysis of energy conversion processes, power cycles and refrigeration cycles analysis, heat engines, exergy analysis, etc. The course will introduce material and energy balances in non-renewable and renewable energy systems. A review of the role of each type of energy in the world economy today, including various projections of energy demand, transition strategies and future trends are also presented.
Energy Systems Engineering: Evaluation and Implementation, 2nd Edition. McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. New York, NY. 640 pp. F.M. Vanek, L.D. Albright and L.T. Angenent. 2012.
PRE-REQ ENGR 0011, 0012, MATH 0230, PHYS 0175
This course combines fundamental elements of mass and energy balance to introduce methodological, quantitative assessment of environmental impact, energetic productivity, and economic viability of an energy system. It covers basic principles of life-cycle assessment (LCA) based on internationally agreed standards, energy return on investment (EROI), techno-economic assessment (TEA), and cost-benefit analysis and their applications in different conventional and emerging renewable energy systems. It also introduces different reference databases (e.g., US National lab GREET, Ecoinvent) for environmental assessment application.
Life Cycle Assessment: Principles and Practice. (SAIC). EPA Systems Analysis Branch. Nat. Risk Man. Research Laboratory. FREE- Link: http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/std/lca/lca.html. Curran M. A. (1996).
Energy Systems Engineering: Evaluation and Implementation. 3rd Ed. McGraw-Hill, Vanek, F., Albright L., and Angenent (2016).
PRE-REQ GRO 0151
ChE/GRO 0353: Energy storage and chemical transformations (EN STOR CHEM TRANS); 3 credits
This course explores chemical, electrochemical, and electrical energy storage. It covers how energy storage technologies integrate with the grid, along with the fundamental reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena in chemical and electrochemical systems. This includes designing and modeling electrochemical cells, and application of electrochemistry to fuel cells, batteries, and supercapacitors.
Electrochemical Systems. 3rd ed. Wiley-Interscience, 2004. ISBN: 9780471477563. [Preview with Google Books] Newman, John, and Karen E. Thomas-Alyea.
PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252
GRO 0460: Solar Energy Engineering; (SOLAR EN ENG) 3 credits PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252 NEW
This course focuses on solar energy collection, conversion, and storage via photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, and solar heating and cooling. The system design, operation, technology evolution, efficiency, policy and economics of solar energy technologies will be included. The basics of photoelectric conversion, from charge separation to conduction and collection, will be covered, along with the latest technologies, components, loads, system design, and application economics.
Solar Energy Engineering Processes and Systems 2nd Edition - October 25, 2013 Soteris A Kalogirou Hardback ISBN: 9780123972705 978 - 0 - 12 - 397270 - 5
eBook ISBN: 9780123972569
PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252
(NOTE: If ENGR 1066 INTRO TO SOLAR CELLS AND NANOTECHNOLOGY is offered - it may be a substitute for this course) ENGR 1066 Introduction to Solar Cells and Nanotechnology Spring PREQ: PHYS 0175 3 cr Introduction to solar cells and nanotechnology this course aims to prepare Undergraduate students in the design and development of low-cost, high-efficiency solar cells. Students will learn the basics of solar cells, introduce themselves to nanotechnology and how this may enable next-generation solar cells, learn how to use instruments for synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials and solar cells, examine the social implication of nanotechnology and solar cells, and practice problem solving and engineering design skills
within a collaborative team. Portions of the class will be flipped (video lectures at home and assignments in class) in order to facilitate an active and engaged learning process. GRO 0470: Biomass and Biofuels Engineering (BIOMASS BIOFUELS ENG); 3 credits
This course covers biofuels and bioenergy produced from biomass. The production and treatment of feedstocks and thermochemical, biochemical, and oleochemical conversion of biomass to heat, power, and fuel will be covered. Students will consider the environmental impacts, economics, and life-cycle analysis of biofuels.
Robert C. Brown, Biorenewable Resources: Engineering New Products from Agriculture. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing (Second Edition) 2014
PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252
This course focuses on the operation and application of wind conversion and hydropower. Resource assessment, energy calculations, aerodynamics, optimization, economics, and environmental impact will be covered for wind conversion technologies. Similarly, resource assessment, hydrokinetics, turbine operation, economics and environmental impact will be covered for hydropower. Students will compare renewable with conventional technologies and discuss peak load and base load electricity demands in the context of these renewable resources.
Wind Energy Explained, Theory Design and Application, Second Edition, by James Manwell. 2009.
Hydropower, 1st Edition - March 26, 2018, Paul Breeze Paperback ISBN: 9780128129067
PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252
This course discusses fundamentals, design, and broad environmental implications of major subsurface and geological technologies for renewable and lowcarbon energy generation, such as geothermal energy, carbon capture and sequestration, decarbonized subsurface hydrogen production and generation, and CO2 enhanced recovery.
Geothermal Energy: From Theoretical Models to Exploration and Development 2nd Edition 2021
Science of Carbon Storage in Deep Saline Formations: Process Coupling across Time and Spatial Scales 2024
PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252
This undergraduate seminar will provide a source of information regarding undergraduate curriculum, registration, programs, cooperative education, and other opportunities. Also, about half of the invited speakers will be from the renewable energy field and half from the natural gas and oil engineering field.
ENGR courses
ENGR 0135 STATICS AND MECHANICS 1 First of a two course sequence covering statics and strength of materials. Topics covered include: concurrent force systems, equilibrium, axial loading, stress, strain, deformation, moments, equivalent systems, centroids, centers of mass, and distributed loads, free-body diagrams, equilibrium of rigid and deformable bodies, plane trusses, frames and machines, equilibrium in 3D, torsion and friction. Use is made of computers for problem solving. Enrollment Requirements:PREQ: (MATH 0150 or 0230 or 0231 or 0235) and (PHYS 0150 or 0174 or 0201 or 0475); PROG: School of Engineering
ENGR 0021 PROB AND STATS ENG An introductory course in statistics. Topics covered include: data analysis, probability, random variables, selected discrete and continuous probability distributions, one sample and two sample estimation, hypothesis testing, experiments with two factors and introduction to regression analysis Enrollment Requirements: PREQ: MATH 0150 or 0230 or 0231 or 0235; PROG: Swanson School of Engineering 3
GEOLOGY courses 0800 and 1410 Note that GEOL 1410 is offered in alternate years, specifically in the Spring term of even numbered years.
GEOL 0800 Geology Geology is the study of how the earth works. This class covers the classification and origin of basic rocks and minerals; examines the role of plate tectonics in shaping the earth and producing such hazards as earthquakes and volcanoes; and examines the forces that shape beaches and rivers and sometimes threaten our lives and property. We also survey the evidence for changing climate and the future of such resources as groundwater, fossil fuels, and ores.
NOTES: this informal note provides more details of the course, as developed by Harbert and Enick ; this description may in the future become the new description in the catalog. Geology is the study of how the earth works. This class covers the classification and origin of basic rocks and minerals; examines the role of plate tectonics in shaping the earth and producing such hazards as earthquakes and volcanoes; and examines the forces that shape beaches and rivers and sometimes threaten our lives and property. We also survey the evidence for changing climate and the future of such resources as groundwater, fossil fuels, geothermal energy, and ores, and the use of deep aquifers for CO2 sequestration.
GEOL 1410 Exploration geophysics An introduction to the theory, methods, and instrumentation used in exploration geophysics. Topics include gravity, magnetics, electromagnetics, and seismic.
NOTES: this informal note provides more details of the course, as developed by Harbert and Enick ; this description may in the future become the new description in the catalog. An introduction to the theory, methods, and instrumentation used in exploration geophysics. Topics include gravity, magnetics, electromagnetics, seismic and well logging. The application of these tools to the assessment of formations conducive to the production of geothermal energy, natural gas or oil, the sequestration of CO2; and the short term storage of hydrogen or natural gas will be covered.
GEOL 1413 Geophysical Well Logging An introduction to the interpretation of well logs derived from various geophysical measurements of down-hole rock properties. Students will learn to infer lithology, fluid characteristics, production zones, and other features useful to both geologists and petroleum engineers. A class in sedimentology and stratigraphy is recommended but not required.
NOTES: this informal note provides more details of the course, as developed by Harbert and Enick ; this description may in the future become the new description in the catalog. An introduction to the interpretation of well logs derived from various geophysical measurements of down-hole rock properties. Students will learn to infer lithology, fluid characteristics, production zones, and other features useful to geologists, natural gas or oil engineers, geothermal energy engineers, and engineers tasked with the sequestration of anthropogenic CO2 or short term storage of high pressure hydrogen or natural gas. A class in sedimentology and stratigraphy is recommended but not required.
MEMS courses
MEMS 0051 Thermodynamics Spring, Summer Basic concepts and interlinking relationships of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer; fluid statics; system and control volumes; thermodynamic properties; work and heat; first law of thermodynamics for control mass and control volume; integral forms of conservation of mass and momentum.
MEMS 0071 Fluid Mechanics Fall, Spring Fundamentals of fluid mechanics, with emphasis on inviscid and linearly viscous, incompressible fluids. Basic physical phenomena of fluid mechanics. Fluid kinematics. Governing equations (both integral and local forms). Exact solutions. Internal flows. Dimensional analysis and modeling.
1410
RENEWABLES ELECTIVE LIST (3 CR) 1 required
Students are responsible for meeting the pre- and co-requisites for any STEM elective
Renewable energy elective course options
GRO 0490: Electrification, decarbonization, and process intensification; 3 credits PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252, MEMS 0051 0071
This course will explore emerging decarbonization pathways and technologies towards low-carbon economy. It covers history, current status, and future innovations anticipated in electrification of different sectors of the modern society (transportation, chemical industry, etc.) by discussing different technologies to generate (e.g., solar, wind), utilize (e.g., electrifying the chemical industry), and store (e.g., different types of batteries, electron to chemical, pumped storage hydropower) green electrons. The course will also provide students with a basic understanding of process intensification and process modularization from a chemical engineering perspective and how it can contribute to making processes more sustainable.
Electrification & Decarbonization: Exploring U.S. Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Scenarios with Widespread Electrification and Power Sector Decarbonization, Daniel Steinberg, Dave Bielen, Josh Eichman, Kelly Eurek, Jeff Logan, Trieu Mai, Colin McMillan, Andrew Parker, Laura Vimmerstedt, and Eric Wilson; National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2017, NREL report
PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252, ME 0051, ME 0071
The ENGR and MEMS courses that can be STEM electives have reasonable pre-reqs include
ENGR 1283 Exploration Energy and Electrification Summer 3 cr This international experience course will explore energy conversion, conservation, delivery, and end-use in Brazil. Students will learn about the history of Brazilian energy infrastructure, and how it has driven Brazil's strategy to generate and use renewable energy. There will be a heavy focus on hydropower which makes up the largest percentage of Brazil's energy generation. In addition, students will explore new and emerging technologies which take advantage of other means of renewable energy. Additionally, the concept of electrification in Brazil will be explored. Electrification is the conversion of devices which classically use fossil fuels or other non-electrical energy sources to devices which use electricity as their source of energy. This phenomenon is taking place all over the world at different rates and Brazil is no exception to that. Students will visit companies who are active in electrification to study electrification in Brazil. Students will make comparisons of electrification Brazil and the United States.
ENGR 1300 Energy Tomorrow Summer 6 cr This course explores energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Areas addressed are: world energy, energy and environmental implications, energy storage, wind and solar thermal applications, energy and the built environment, biomass and liquid fuels, photo voltaic devices and systems, energy management and energy and transport.
ENGR 1700 Introduction to Nuclear Energy 3 cr Fall PREQ: (PHYS 0152 or 0175 or 0202 or 0476) and (CHEM 0102 or 0112 or 0120 or 0420 OR 0720 or 0770 or 0970) Introduction to nuclear science and technology; applications of nuclear engineering; careers in nuclear industry; nuclear history; reactor types; elementary nuclear and reactor physics; nuclear radiation and safety; fuel cycle; regulations and sustainability.
MEMS 1111 Materials Energy Generation and Storage 3cr Spring The objective of this course is to provide an overview of the important renewable energy resources and the modern technologies to harness and store them. After taking MEMS 1111, students are expected to develop a solid scientific and technological understanding of new alternative energy technologies. This course will give an overview on harnessing renewable energy resources and storing collected energy. In each topic, issues relevant to basic principles and technological barriers limiting the use of non-fossil energy will be discussed.
The ECE courses have more substantial (i.e. extra course) pre-reqs or are grad courses
ECE 1701 Fundamentals of Electric Power Engineering Fall Spring 3 cr PREQ: ECE 0102; Plan: Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering This is a first course in electric power engineering for electrical and computer engineers. The course provides the fundamental background to solve some common problems in electric power engineering, and to design power systems using engineering assumptions based on this background. The main objective is to cover topics in AC single phase and three phase power, transformers, transmission lines and electric machinery by integrating their knowledge of linear circuit analysis, electricity, and magnetism to these power systems topics. Students will also gain knowledge of power systems simulation using the PowerWorld simulator. This course will provide the prerequisite knowledge for the study of load flow, symmetrical components, and fault analysis which will be covered in a later course.
1710 Power Distribution Systems Engineering and Smart Grids Summer 3 cr PREQ: ECE 0031 or ECE 0101 or MEMS 0031 or ENGR 1869; Review of power engineering fundamentals, load characteristics and distribution transformers, design of distribution substations, design considerations of primary and secondary systems, substation grounding, voltage drop and power loss, application of capacitors to distribution systems, distribution system voltage regulation and system software, smart grid technologies, energy management.
ECE 1773 Power Generation, Operation, and Control Spring PREQ: ECE 1701 or 1769; 3 cr Area control error (ace), automatic generation control (AGC), characteristics of power generation units, economic dispatch of generators, unit commitment, hydrothermal coordination and storage, interchange
ECE
power, limited energy supply, optimal power flow, power system security, production cost modeling, state estimation, transmission system effects, unit commitment.
ECE 2780 Renewable and Alternative Energy (Grad course by permission) 3 cr This course covers an in-depth analysis and understanding of various renewable and alternative energy technologies' including wind, solar, biomass, thermal, wave, hydro, and other sources and systems. Investigation of applications, integration, markets, policy, and other aspects of renewable development will be studied. Supporting technologies, such as energy storage, power electronics, and controls as applied to renewable and alternative energy applications are also explored.
STEM ELECTIVE LIST (3 cr) 1 required
Students are responsible for meeting the pre- and co-requisites for any STEM elective
Any of the Renewables electives from the preceding Renewables Elective List
GRO courses
GRO 1090 Cooperative education 3 cr for 3 term-long rotations
GRO 1097 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH 3 cr
GRO 1207 PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS PROCESSING3cr existing as PETE 1207, if still offered – NOTE: This content will be pushed into GRO 0303
GRO 1204 ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY PROCESSES 3 cr existing as PETE 1204, if this course is offered in future GRO 1221 CO2 IOR IN CONVENTIONAL OR UNCONVENTIONAL FORMATIONS 3 cr, if this course is offered in future
School of Engineering courses
ENGR 16xx EMERGING SUST. ENERGY SOLUTION US and DENMARK
CEE 1809 HYDRAULIC FRACTURING MECHANICS AND APPLICATIONS 3
This class will prepare students to wisely and critically design hydraulic fracturing treatments as well as make informed recommendations to employers, governments, and communities about the risks and benefits of hydraulic fracturing methods. Upon completion of this course, students will be equipped to use engineering formulae to estimate hydraulic fracture dimensions, evaluate strengths and weaknesses of various modeling approaches, characterize subsurface conditions from wellbore pressure analysis, make sound recommendations for monitoring, and compare and contrast approaches and risks for a range of application domains (This course is now scheduled to be offered every other year by Civil Eng and taught by Dr. Andy Bunger.)
Geology electives
GEOL 0840 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
GEOL 1030 THE ATMOSPHERE, OCEANS AND CLIMATE
GEOL 1342 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
GEOL 1460 INTRO TO REMOTE SENSING
GEOL 1316 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
GEOL 1333 SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability electives
CHE 1016 GREEN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABILITY 3cr
ENGR 1905 CURRENT ISSUES IN SUSTAINABILITY 3cr
CEE 1610 ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 3cr
CEE 1609 LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS (LCA) METHODS AND TOOLS 3cr
GEOL 1333 SUSTAINABILITY 3cr
Climate electives
GEOL 1030 THE ATMOSPHERE, OCEANS AND CLIMATE
PS 1364 CLIMATE CHANGE AND PUBLIC POLICY
PS 1542 GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS
Other STEM Electives –
ENGR courses; BIOE, CHE, CEE, IE, ECE, MEMS courses
CHEM 0031, 0032
ASTR 100+
BIOSC 150, 160, 1170+
PHYS 477+
a)
ABET requirements
. General Criteria Baccalaureate Level Programs; quoted from Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs, 2024 - 2025 - ABET
“ABET Criterion 5 Curriculum
The curriculum requirements specify subject areas appropriate to engineering but do not prescribe specific courses. The program curriculum must provide adequate content for each area, consistent with the student outcomes and program educational objectives, to ensure that students are prepared to enter the practice of engineering. The curriculum must include:”
c) “a
. ”
The 7 required renewable energy engineering courses for the GRO student – 20.5 cr
GRO 0151: Energy Resources: From Fossil to Renewables; 3 credits (0.5 credits natural gas and oil, 2.5 credits renewables)
GRO 0252: Environmental, energetic and economic assessment of energy systems; 3 credits; PRE-REQ GRO 0151
GRO 0353: Energy storage and chemical transformations; 3 credits PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252
GRO 0460: Solar Energy Engineering; 3 credits PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252
GRO 0480: Wind and Hydro Energy Engineering; 3 credits PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252
GRO 0454: Subsurface technologies for renewables and decarbonization; 3 credits PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252
The 1 Renewables elective 3 cr Menu of Renew electives
GRO 0490 Electrification, decarbonization, and process intensification; possible new course 3 credits PRE-REQ GRO 0151, 0252
ENGR 1283 Exploration Energy and Electrification Summer 3 cr
ENGR 1300 Energy Tomorrow Summer 6 cr
ENGR 1700 Introduction to Nuclear Energy 3 cr Fall PREQ: (PHYS 0175) and (CHEM 0970) MEMS 1111 Materials Energy Generation and Storage 3cr Spring
ECE 1701 Fundamentals of Electric Power Engineering Fall Spring 3 cr PREQ: ECE 0102; ECE 1710 Power Distribution Systems Engineering and Smart Grids Summer 3 cr PREQ: ECE 0031 or ECE 0101 or MEMS 0031 or ENGR 1869; ECE 1773 Power Generation, Operation, and Control Spring PREQ: ECE 1701 or 1769; 3 cr
ECE 2780 Renewable and Alternative Energy (Grad course by permission) 3 cr
This undergraduate seminar will provide a source of information regarding undergraduate curriculum, registration, programs, cooperative education, and other opportunities. Also, about half of the invited speakers will from the renewable energy field and half from the natural gas and oil engineering field.
d) “a culminating major engineering design experience that 1) incorporates appropriate engineering standards and multiple constraints, and 2) is based on the knowledge and skills acquired in earlier course work”
PROGRAM CRITERIA FOR PETROLEUM AND SIMILARLY NAMED ENGINEERING PROGRAMS; requirements copied from
Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs, 2024 - 2025 - ABET
“Lead Society: Society of Petroleum Engineers These program criteria apply to engineering programs that include "petroleum," "natural gas," or similar modifiers in their titles ”
1. “Curriculum”
“The curriculum must provide both breadth and depth across the range of engineering topics implied by the title and objectives of the program.
