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.

• Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Mining)

Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences

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