2025-2026 University of Wyoming Catalog
Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering
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4015 Engineering Building, (307) 766‑4258
Web site: www.uwyo.edu/petroleum
Department Head: Vamegh Rasouli Ph.D.
Professors:
LAMIA GOUAL, B.Sc. Ecole Nationale Polytechnique 1993; M.Sc. Imperial College, London 1998; Ph.D. 2003; Professor of Petroleum Engineering 2021.
MOHAMMAD PIRI, B.Sc. Azad University, Arak 1995; M.Sc. Azad University, Tehran 1998; M.Sc. Imperial College, London 2000; Ph.D. 2004; Professor of Petroleum Engineering 2018.
VAMEGH RASOULI, B.Sc. Yazd University 1995, M.Sc. Tehran Polytechnic University 1997, Ph.D. Imperial College, London 2002; Professor of Petroleum Engineering 2022
Associate Professors:
MORTEZA DEJAM, B.Sc. Petroleum University of Technology 2007; M.Sc. Sharif University of Technology 2009; Ph.D. University of Calgary 2016; Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering 2022.
MINOU RABIEI, B.S. Amirkabir University of Technology 1998; M.Sc. London South Bank University 2002; Ph.D. Curtin University of Technology, Perth 2012; Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering 2022.
SOHEIL SARAJI, B.S. Petroleum University of Technology 2004; M.Sc. Sharif University of Technology 2007; Ph.D. University of Wyoming 2013; Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering 2022.
Assistant Professors:
TAWFIK ELSHEHABI, B.Sc. Suez Canal University 2003; M.Sc. 2007; Ph.D. West Virginia University 2017; Senior Lecturer of Petroleum Engineering 2019.
Instructional Professors:
REZA TAHERI, B.Sc. Amirkabir University 1997; M.S. University of Twente, Netherlands 2001; Ph.D. Curtin University 2008; Assistant Instructional Professor of Petroleum Engineering 2020.
Professors of Practice:
HAZIM ABASS, B.S. University of Baghdad 1976; M.S. Colorado School of Mines 1984, Ph.D. Colorado School of Mines 1988; Professor of Practice in Petroleum Engineering 2025.
Professors Emeriti:
Jack Evers
H. Gordon Harris
Norman R. Morrow
Mrityunjai P. Sharma
Brian Towler
Kaled Gasem
Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum Engineering trains students for Wyoming’s largest industries, the production of crude oil and gas. With the recognition of the state’s and nation’s vast reserves of natural gas, the curriculum emphasizes the production and processing of this important resource. Because of American predominance in petroleum technology, career opportunities are available throughout most of the world.
The curriculum in petroleum engineering is based upon sound preparation in fundamental sciences, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and geology. The essentials of engineering are added to this foundation: computer programming, statics, dynamics, materials science, hydraulics, and thermodynamics. To aid in developing individuals’ social potential and broaden their educational background, an integrated program in humanities and social sciences is included in the curriculum. Petroleum engineering courses, which are primarily concerned with application of previously acquired knowledge to problems of the oil and gas industry, are concentrated in the junior and senior years.
Petroleum Engineering degree candidates must meet the academic requirements of the college and must have a GPA of 2.000 or greater in Petroleum Engineering (PETE) courses attempted at UW that are applied toward graduation for the B.S. degree from the department. For approved electives, students must have prior approval of their advisor and department head. Elective courses must be chosen from a list provided by the department. Students must complete a minimum of 48 upper division (junior/senior) or graduate-level credit hours for this program.
Program Vision
As a highly respected community of scholars and practitioners, we are committed to providing outstanding petroleum engineering education, conducting internationally recognized research in key focus areas, and improving the well-being of the people of Wyoming and the world through education, technical innovation and economic development.
Program Mission
Provide outstanding, contemporary, ABET-accredited education in petroleum engineering to highly qualified undergraduates who will serve as an economic resource for Wyoming and the world.
Provide excellent, research-based graduate educations at the master’s and doctoral levels in petroleum engineering to top students who will drive technical and economic innovation for Wyoming and the world.
Conduct internationally recognized research in key focus areas that leads to new technologies while also enhancing economic development for Wyoming and the world.
Accreditation
The Petroleum Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Criteria and the Petroleum and Similarly Named Engineering Program Criteria.
Program Educational Objectives
Three to six years after graduation, graduates who choose to practice in Petroleum Engineering should:
Program Outcomes
During the course of study in Petroleum Engineering, the student should develop:
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An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
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An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
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An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
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An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts.
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An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
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An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions.
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An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Undergraduate “Major Only” Courses
Upper division PETE core courses are restricted to petroleum engineering majors only.
Technical Electives Policy
The technical electives in the petroleum engineering curriculum can be used to complete a curriculum emphasis option or a minor. The number of credits of upper division courses must be satisfied, therefore, 13 elective credits must be 3000-level courses or higher.
Note: Technical Electives must be selected with your advisor’s documented approval.
Transfer Credit Limit
To graduate with a degree in Petroleum Engineering from UW, students must successfully complete at least 20 credit hours of required PETE courses at UW.
- Once a student has transferred to UW’s Department of Petroleum Engineering from another institution, they may transfer no more than 9 additional credits from other institutions.
- Non-transfer students may transfer up to 18 credits from other institutions.
Repeating a Course
Students who fail a PETE class three times can no longer enroll in that class.
Academic Suspension
Students who have been academically suspended from UW twice are no longer eligible to enroll in PETE courses.
BS/MS Quick Start Program
The BS/MS Quick Start program in Petroleum Engineering (PETE) is designed to present highly qualified UW students with the opportunity to begin graduate study while they complete their Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Petroleum Engineering. These students may apply for admission to the Quick Start program during the first or second semester of their junior year or before starting their senior year.
This program allows for early planning of the graduate portion of a student’s education and provides more flexibility in the number of required courses and the order in which they are taken. The more efficient and better planned use of time should result in reduction of the time required for obtaining the Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering degree. Students who enter the Quick Start program must accept primary responsibility for actively planning their Programs of Study to assure timely completion of their course work and research programs.
The Quick Start program contains two essential elements:
- Qualified students may receive provisional admission to the Petroleum Engineering graduate program by submitting a quick start application through the online graduate application system. This provisional admission will permit students to make their long-term educational plans earlier in their studies and before graduating the B.S. program, thus providing enhanced opportunities for course selection and involvement in research.
- Students in the program may apply up to 6 credit hours of graduate-level courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degree programs. By successfully completing up to 6 credit hours of graduate classes during their senior year, these students will have demonstrated their ability to do graduate-level course work as undergraduates, easing their transition to the Petroleum Engineering graduate program.
For additional information, visit our website for admissions information http://www.uwyo.edu/petroleum/undergraduate/current-students/quickstart.html or contact our graduate admissions coordinator at pete-info@uwyo.edu.
Graduate Study
The Department of Petroleum Engineering offers graduate programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in petroleum engineering and the M.Eng. degree in Energy and Petroleum Engineering. The M.S. degree is offered with Plan A and Plan B options.
In addition, the Department offers an M.B.A./M.S. in Petroleum Engineering Dual Degree Program, in conjunction with the College of Business M.B.A. Program. Students pursuing this option must apply to and be offered admission from both programs.
Graduate Admission Process and Requirements
Graduate admission is open to applicants who meet the minimum requirements as shown below. Please note that test scores must be dated within the previous two years to be considered valid.
- Bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, on a 4.0 scale*.
- If you have a Graduate degree, then also required is a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better, on a 4.0 scale, if applicable.
- International students are required to provide English proficiency scores and satisfy the minimum requirements set by the University of Wyoming. Please note that test scores must be dated within the previous two years to be valid.
*Applicants via Professional Experience Track (PET) admission require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. More information about the application process can be found here: https://acalogcatalog.uwyo.edu/content.php?catoid=14&navoid=1177#graduate-admission
Applications via regular graduate admission must include the following documents uploaded with the online application:
- Complete unofficial transcripts of all prior college-level coursework,
- Current resume or curriculum vitae,
- Recommendations from at least three academic or professional references,
- A statement of purpose, and
- Unofficial test score certificates for English proficiency examination.
Applications will not be reviewed or accepted until all required documents have been submitted. Official transcripts and official English proficiency exam results will be requested only if the department recommends the applicant for admission.
All incoming M.S. and Ph.D. students must have an advisor. These applicants are responsible for contacting faculty members to find an advisor.
For additional information, our graduate admissions coordinator at pete-info@uwyo.edu or visit the web page below.
https://www.uwyo.edu/petroleum/graduate/apply.html
ProgramsMajorGraduateQuickStart ProgramCourses
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