Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering is concerned with design and application aspects of the discovery, production, and transportation of oil and gas resources. While studying Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, the knowledge and capability to apply conventional engineering design principles, as well as those specifically pertaining to petroleum and natural gas, are obtained. Through a strong foundation in mathematics and science, future professional capabilities are expanded. WVU provides a unique setting for studying in the field of petroleum and natural gas since students gain practical experience and first-hand knowledge through proximity to industry in West Virginia and surrounding states. Production sites, secondary and enhanced oil recovery projects, compressor stations, gas storage fields, and corporate offices provide opportunities for study and summer employment. Majors in the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources Aerospace Engineering B, M, D Biometric Systems B Chemical Engineering B, M, D Civil Engineering B, M, D Computer Engineering B, D Computer Science B, M, D Electrical Engineering B, M, D Engineering M Industrial Engineering B, M, D Industrial Hygiene M Mechanical Engineering B, M, D Mining Engineering B, M, D Occupational Safety and Health D Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering B, M, D Safety Management M Software Engineering M B = Bachelor's; M = Master's; D = Doctorate For more information, contact Department Chair Sam Ameri at 304-293-7682, ext. 3401, or Samuel.Ameri@mail.wvu.edu Or visit the Web site at www.pnge.cemr.wvu.edu

The WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Located on the Evansdale Campus, overlooking Morgantown, the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources is housed in three buildings. While the Engineering Sciences Building and the Mineral Resources Building are used mostly for classes and office space, the Engineering Research Building contains laboratories used for research by faculty and students.

Using modern teaching techniques, faculty members use Web-based courses, guest lectures by visiting authorities, and team projects to enhance the learning experience. Teaching facilities are equipped with modern laboratories and computers designed to give students the best education possible.

Various activities supplement every student’s education, including student chapters of professional engineering societies. Through these organizations, the college sponsors trips to professional meetings, giving students tremendous exposure to engineers, managers, and executives. These groups have received national recognition and have won awards for their activities.

Admission
To be eligible for admission to the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, all prospective students must be qualified for admission to the University. Early application is strongly encouraged. The College of Engineering and Mineral Resources requires that incoming freshmen meet or exceed the following admission requirements:

Engineering, Pre-Computer Science, and Pre-Biometric Systems:

• A minimum high school GPA of 3.0.
• A minimum math ACT/SAT score of 27/620.

General Engineering:

• A minimum high school GPA of 2.5.
• A minimum math ACT/SAT score of 23/540.

Curriculum
During the freshman year, all Engineering majors study in the Freshman Engineering Program. Students take three introductory engineering courses that introduce eleven fields of engineering, computer science, and biometric systems, and help to develop communication and problem-solving skills through class projects and computer use. After completing Math 155 with at least a C, Chem 115, Engr 101, Engr 199, Engr 102, and Engl 101 with a minimum GPA of 2.0, students choose a major from one of the eleven areas.

Required course work for Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering majors consists of math and basic sciences, engineering science, engineering design, and humanities and social science. In the final year of the program, electives are offered in which students may obtain additional depth of knowledge in certain areas of the petroleum and natural gas field.

Petroleum Engineering graduates are provided with a foundation for developing their knowledge and skills to effectively formulate, communicate, and implement solutions to engineering problems in cooperation with others. They are prepared for professional practice in the energy industry, and have the ability to recognize their obligations to the profession, to their employees, and to society.

Accreditation
All Engineering programs at West Virginia University are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the sole agency for accreditation of educational programs leading to degrees in engineering.

Co-Op and Internship Programs
Since WVU is located near major coalfields, unique opportunities are offered. Summer employment, hands-on learning experiences, research projects, internships, and cooperative education (co-op) programs are just a few of the benefits of WVU’s advantageous location.

Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students majoring in Engineering from the freshman year onward. The deadline to apply for scholarships is February 1 prior to enrollment. Students who did not receive scholarships as freshmen can apply in the following years in their major department. These scholarships are awarded based on performance at WVU.

Academic Common Market
The Academic Common Market is a cooperative tuition-reduction agreement among 14 Southern Regional Education Board states. If you are a resident of Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina, or Virginia, you can study Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at WVU paying in-state tuition. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia are the participating states. Periodic changes are made in this list.

Career Opportunities
Petroleum engineers hold over 140,000 jobs, mostly in the petroleum industry and closely allied fields. Employers include major oil companies and hundreds of smaller independent oil exploration, production, and service companies. Others work as independent consultants. Large numbers are employed in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and California, including offshore sites. Many American petroleum engineers work overseas in oil-producing countries.

Graduate School Opportunities
Advanced degrees in business management assist in promotion and climbing the traditional corporate ladder. WVU offers master’s and doctoral degrees in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering.

Salary Range
Placement for BS degree graduates has been 100%, and the starting salary for a petroleum engineer is approximately $55,500/year.