Academic Programs

The Energy Resources Engineering curriculum provides a sound background in basic sciences and their application to practical problems to address the complex and changing nature of the field. Course work includes the fundamentals of chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, geophysics, mathematics, and physics. Applied courses cover most aspects of energy resources engineering and some related fields like geothermal engineering and geostatistics. The curriculum emphasizes the fundamental aspects of fluid flow in the subsurface. These principles apply equally well to optimizing oil recovery from petroleum reservoirs and remediating contaminated groundwater systems. The program also has a strong interest in related energy topics such as renewable energy, global climate change, and CO₂ sequestration.

Undergraduates are encouraged to participate in research projects. Graduate programs lead to the degrees of Master of Science (M.S.), Engineer, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in either Petroleum Engineering or Energy Resources Engineering. M.S., Engineer, and Ph.D. degrees may be awarded with field designations for students who follow programs of study in the fields of geostatistics, geothermal, crustal fluids, or environmental specialties.

New Degree Structure 2007

Effective September 1, 2007, the Department of Energy Resources Engineering is authorized to award the following new degrees:

• Bachelor of Science in Energy Resources Engineering
• Master of Science, Engineer, and Doctor of Philosophy in Energy Resources Engineering

The Department will continue to award graduate degrees in Petroleum Engineering, specifically:

• Master of Science, Engineer, and Doctor of Philosophy in Petroleum Engineering

The Department will no longer award undergraduate degrees in Petroleum Engineering except in cases where students have already declared Petroleum Engineering as their major.

Current students who are at the early stages of their degree programs may, if they wish, be able to obtain a degree in Energy Resources Engineering rather than Petroleum Engineering. Please consult the ERE curricula to determine the specific requirements for your particular case. For the graduate program, changing your degree track can be discussed with Prof. Roland Horne (Graduate Coordinator), Ms. Ginni Savalli (Academic Administrator), or your advisor. For the undergraduate program, these issues can be discussed with Prof. Tony Kovscek (Undergraduate Coordinator).

Undergraduate Program

The four-year program leading to the B.S. degree provides a foundation for careers in many facets of the energy industry. The curriculum includes basic science and engineering courses that provide sufficient depth for a wide spectrum of careers in the energy and environmental industries.

One of the goals of the program is to provide experience integrating the skills developed in individual courses to address a significant design problem. In ENERGY 180, taken in the senior year, student teams design facilities for a real petroleum reservoir to meet specific management objectives.

Graduate Programs

The University’s basic requirements for M.S., Engineer, and Ph.D. degrees are discussed in the “Graduate Degrees” section of the Stanford Bulletin.

The following are minimum requirements for an Energy Resources Engineering student to remain in good academic standing regarding course work:

Unless otherwise stated by the instructor, incomplete grades in courses within the department are changed to ‘NP’ (not passed) at the end of the quarter after the one in which the course was given. This one quarter limit is a different constraint from the maximum one-year limit allowed by the University.

Academic performance is reviewed each quarter by a faculty committee. At the beginning of the next quarter, any student not in good academic standing receives a letter from the committee or department chair stating criteria that must be met for the student to return to good academic standing. If the situation is not corrected by the end of the quarter, possible consequences include termination of financial support, termination of departmental privileges, and termination from the University.

Students funded by research grants or fellowships from the department are expected to spend at least half of their time (a minimum of 20 hours per week) on research. Continued funding is contingent upon satisfactory research effort and progress as determined by the student’s adviser. After Autumn Quarter of the first year, students receive a letter from the department chair concerning their research performance. If problems are identified and they persist through the second quarter, a warning letter is sent. Problems persisting into a third quarter may lead to loss of departmental support including tuition and stipend. Similar procedures are applied in subsequent years.

A balanced master’s degree program including engineering course work and research requires a minimum of one maximum-tuition academic year beyond the baccalaureate to meet the University residence requirements. Most full-time students spend at least one additional summer to complete the research requirement. An alternative master’s degree pro•gram based only on course work is available, also requiring at least one full tuition academic year to meet University residence requirements.

M.S. students who anticipate continuing in the Ph.D. program should follow the research option. M.S. students receiving financial aid normally require two academic years to complete the degree. Such students must take the research option and are limited to an 8-10 unit course load per quarter.

The degree of Engineer requires a comprehensive maximum-tuition, two-year program of graduate study. This degree permits more extensive course work than the master’s degree, with an emphasis on professional practice. All Engineer degree students receiving financial aid are limited to an 8-10 unit course load per quarter and need at least ten quarters of work to complete the degree.

The Ph.D. degree is awarded primarily on the basis of completion of significant, original research. Extensive course work and a minimum of 90 units of graduate work beyond the master’s degree is required. Doctoral candidates planning theoretical work are encouraged to gain experimental research experience in the M.S. program. Ph.D. students receiving financial assistance are limited to 8-10 units per quarter and often require more than three years to complete the Ph.D.

In special cases, the M.S., Engineer, and Ph.D. degrees may be awarded with field designations for students who follow programs of study in the particular fields of (1) geostatistics, (2) geothermal, or (3) environment. For example, students may be awarded the degree Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering (Geothermal).