Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum Engineering) and Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) BE(PE)&(M)

2009

Program Outline

Petroleum engineers seek to recover oil and gas on a sustainable basis at minimum financial and environmental cost. Their tasks focus on extracting the maximum possible amounts of oil and gas from underground rock formations or reservoirs. This requires the practical application of advanced science and engineering principles, beginning with  mathematical modelling of the size and nature of the reservoir, optimum well locations,  the planned implementation of suitable surface facilities, and finally the prediction of liquid and gas flows during the recovery process. For example, the oil may need to be forced out of reservoir rocks by pumping water or gas under pressure into wells drilled for that purpose. Hydraulic or chemical techniques are often required to fracture or stimulate formations to induce higher flow rates. One of the current challenges is to produce petroleum from deepwater reservoirs, where the ocean depth may exceed 10,000 metres.

A key feature of this program is the integration of traditional petroleum engineering topics with topics in petroleum geoscience and management, leading to a skill set that matches both the current needs of the industry and the way it operates. The petroleum engineering degree builds a strong foundation of mathematics, chemistry, physics, geology/geophysics, computer applications and engineering. Over the course of the program, the emphasis of the subjects studied changes from more general engineering to specific petroleum-related topics. It also has a strong focus on management and business related aspects. These are a particular focus of the School and make its teaching curricula unique. Many staff members have had recent industry experience, further enhancing the relevance of the curriculum to the modern petroleum industry. Petroleum producing companies will provide extensive practical field experience as an essential part of the program.

Mining engineers are concerned with the extraction and processing of ores from the earth that contain valuable minerals or metals. They are involved in mine design; geology and rock mechanics; environmental and safety management; resource estimation; mining economics and finance. The academic program focuses on analysis and design and combines knowledge from geotechnical, environmental, structural and water engineering, geology, computing, mathematics and finance. Mining engineers are in great demand and this is reflected by their high salaries.

The first two years of the mining engineering program are devoted to building the engineering, mathematics and science foundations that are developed in the final two years. The program emphasises engineering problem solving, analysis and design, computer-based methods, and research, communication and management skills.

Admission Information

Admissions information for domestic and international students.

Domestic

Selection criteria:	Year 12 applicants 2008 Commonwealth-supported TER: 81.05 You must not have completed more than 4 years full time equivalent university study (96 units). You must have gained a 'Recorded Achievement' in four SACE Stage 2 HESS (Higher Education Selection Subjects) General subjects (or interstate/International Baccalaureate equivalents). For a full list of SACE subjects and their HESS status please refer to the SATAC Tertiary Entrance Booklet. You compete for a place with your Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER). Higher Education applicants You must have completed at least half a year full time equivalent higher education study. A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. VET applicants You must have completed an AQF Diploma or above. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Special Entry applicants You must meet the following criteria: you must be 21 years or over on January 1st of the year that you will be studying*, you must not hold a completed higher education level award, and if you have been enrolled in a course leading to a higher education level award in the last 3 years, you must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study. If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is weighted such that the verbal component contributes 35% and the quantitative component contributes 65% to your overall score. Personal Competencies (PC) and Employment Experience (EE) statements may also contribute to your rank. If you submit a PC or EE statement, and one of these ranks higher than your STAT score, then the highest ranking statement will contribute 50% to your overall rank and the STAT will contribute the remaining 50%. If you do not submit a PC or EE statement, or if the statements have a lower rank than the STAT, then you will compete for a place on the basis of your STAT result only. *The age restriction is 19 years or over if you have completed either the Flinders Foundation course or the UniSA Foundation Studies program or the UniSA Program for Adult Learners. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme. See Wilto Yerlo for further information.
Prerequisites:	SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Studies, Physics plus one of Specialist Mathematics or Chemistry IB: either Mathematics (HL grade 4) and Physics (SL grade 5/HL grade 4); or, Chemistry (SL grade 5/HL grade 4), Physics (SL grade 5/HL grade 4) & Mathematics (SL grade 5/HL grade 3)
Assumed knowledge:	SACE Stage 2 Chemistry
How to apply:	SATAC Code: 324211 Apply through SATAC SATAC application dates Application and Admission
Mid-year entry?	Subject to availability
Annual tuition fees:	Commonwealth-supported place: $7,412
General enquiries:	Student Centre

International

Selection criteria:	IELTS Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing 6 5.5 5.5 6 6
How to apply:	Application information for international students Important application deadlines for international students
Annual tuition fees:	International student place: $23,000
General enquiries:	Student Centre

Study Plans

The study plans given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

Level I
Semester 1 MATHS 1011 Mathematics IA * OR MATHS 1013 Mathematics IMA * (3 units) C&ENVENG 1010 Engineering Mechanics - Statics (3 units) CHEM 1100 Chemistry IA (3 units) PETROENG 1005 Introduction to Petroleum Geosciences & the Oil Industry (3 units) Semester 2 C&ENVENG 1012 Engineering Modelling and Analysis IA (3 units) PETROENG 1006 Introduction to Petroleum Engineering (3 units) MATHS 1012 Mathematics IB * OR MATHS 1011 Mathematics IA * (3 units) C&ENVENG 1011 Introduction to Mining Engineering IA (3 units)
* Students who have undertaken SACE Stage 2 Specialists Maths will be required to enrol in Maths IA followed by Maths IB. Students who have not taken SACE Stage 2 Specialist Maths will be required to enrol in Maths IMA followed by Maths IA & Maths IB in summer semester to complete the requirements at Level 1.
Level II
Semester 1
MATHS 2201 Engineering Maths I (3 units) C&ENVENG 2025 Strength of Materials IIA (3 units) C&ENVENG 2071 Water Engineering IIA (3 units) PETROENG 2010 Drilling Engineering (3 units) Semester 2 PETROENG 2009 Formation Evaluation, Petrophysics and Rock Properties (3 units) MATHS 2104 Numerical Methods (3 units) GEOLOGY 2009 Economic & Mine Geology (3 units) C&ENVENG 2069 Geotechnical Engineering IIA (3 units)
Level III
Semster 1 C&ENVENG 3072 Mining Geomechanics (3 units) C&ENVENG 3071 Mining Systems (3 units) C&ENVENG 4102 Mine Geotechnical Engineering (not offered in 2009) (3 units) C&ENVENG 3070 Resource Estimation & Project Evaluation (3units) Semester 2 C&ENVENG 3068 Mine Ventilation (3 units) C&ENVENG 3069 Rock Breakage and Mine Development (3 units) C&ENVENG 4101 Mine Management (3 units) C&ENVENG 3073 Mine Planning (3 units)
Level IV
Semester 1 PETROENG 3020 Production Engineering & Optimisation (3 units) PETROENG 3005 Reservoir Characterisation & Modelling (3 units) PETROENG 3007 Well Testing & Pressure Transient Analysis (3units) C&ENVENG 4103A Mine Design & Feasibility Part 1 (not offered in 2009) (3 units) Semester 2 PETROENG 3025 Reservoir Engineering (3 units) PETROENG 3001 Reservoir Simulation (3 units) PETROENG 3019 Structural Geology & Seismic Methods (3 units) C&ENVENG 4103B Mine Design & Feasibility Part 2 (not offered in 2009) (3 units)
Level V
Semester 1 PETROENG 4002 Enhanced Oil Recovery (3 units) PETROENG 4032 Oil and Gas Resources & Reserves (3 units) PETROENG 4027 Advanced Decision-Making and Risk Analysis (3 units) PETROENG 4004A Petroleum Engineering Honours Project Part 1* or PETROENG 4020A Petroleum Engineering Design Project Part 1* or C&ENVENG 4100 Mining Research Project Part 1* or (not offered in 2009) C&ENVENG Elective (3 units) Semester 2 PETROENG 4031 Petroleum Project Economics (2 units) PETROENG 4004B Petroleum Engineering Honours Project Part 2* or PETROENG 4020B Petroleum Engineering Design Project Part 2* or C&ENVENG 4100 Mining Research Project Part 2* or (not offered in 2009) C&ENVENG Elective (3 units) PETROENG 4033 Reservoir & Project Management (3 units) PETROENG 4022 Integrated Field Development & Economics Project (3 units)  * Students accepted into the Honours stream will take Honours Project and other Students will take Design Project.

Useful Links

• Engineering Undergraduate Program Information Leaflet
• Australian School of Petroleum
• School of Civil, Environmental & Mining Engineering
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Student Centre Enquiry Form

Program Rules

Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences