Postgraduate by Coursework

About the course

The School of Mechanical Engineering offers two different postgraduate by coursework programmes on campus in the area of oil and gas engineering:

Graduate Diploma in Oil & Gas Engineering
Master of Oil & Gas Engineering (MOGE)

The Graduate Diploma in Oil & Gas Engineering provides orientation to professional work in the oil and gas industry for graduates in engineering or science. It is convenient for those wishing to undertake advanced studies but unsure, initially, in which area to specialise. It also provides an overview of the industry for those with experience in a particular discipline.

The Graduate Diploma can lead to a Masters of Oil and Gas Engineering if you acquire an average mark of 65% or more.

The Masters of Oil & Gas Engineering by coursework provides across-the-board professional training for the oil and gas industry. The program has been designed to maximise flexibility and qualifications may be obtained by a combination of coursework and research. Modules in the two-year degree of Master of Oil and Gas Engineering (MOGE) are jointly offered as a one-year Graduate Diploma course. The modules may also serve as stand-alone short courses (see Short Course webpage for more information).

Students can then specialise in Petroleum Engineering, Process Engineering, Offshore Engineering or Asset Engineering.

Module presenters offer experiences from industry, research and teaching.

The overall program undergoes regular review to ensure that there is adequate coverage of oil and gas engineering topics, presented at the right level without overlap. Course instructors integrate global and local knowledge to show how technical developments around the world may be adapted to local conditions. A suitable balance is also necessary between the requirements for professional training, often influenced by short term corporate priorities, and the more generic academic rigour expected of a traditional, research intensive university.

Master of Oil and Gas Engineering Program Brochure (PDF)

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Who can I speak to for advice

To discuss your studies in Oil and Gas engineering with one of our academic advisors, please make an appointment at the School's reception. Initial queries can also be directed to our Acting Postgraduate Coursework Coordinator (Administrative) on +61 8 6488 4697 or email: postgrad-admin@mech.uwa.edu.au.

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How do I get in

Admission

Graduate Diploma in Oil & Gas Engineering candidates may be accepted as those who have:

(a) the degree of Bachelor of Engineering of this University in a relevant discipline area completed with a weighted average mark of 55 per cent or better, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty;

or

(b) a bachelor's degree of this University in a relevant discipline area completed with a weighted average mark of 55 per cent or better, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty;

or

(c) a level of education and a duration and level of relevant professional experience in the oil and gas industry which, in the opinion of the Faculty, would permit the applicant to complete the course satisfactorily.

_{Ref: http://handbooks.uwa.edu.au/rules/ecm/Part5/Division8}

Master of Oil & Gas Engineering candidates may be accepted as those who have:

(a) the degree of Bachelor of Engineering of this University in a relevant discipline area completed with a weighted average mark of 65 per cent or better, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty;

or

(b) a bachelor's degree with honours of this University in a relevant discipline area completed with a weighted average mark of 65 per cent or better, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty;

or

(c) the Graduate Diploma in Oil and Gas Engineering of this University completed with a weighted average mark of 65 per cent or better, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty.

_{Ref: http://handbooks.uwa.edu.au/rules/ecm/Part6/Division9}

Enrolment

We have two intakes each year: students can commence at either Semester One or Semester Two.  For the 2009 academic year, the dates and application deadlines are as follows:

1)  Teaching period Semester 1 commences 23^rd February 2009 – the closing date for applications was Tuesday 27^th January 2009.

2) Teaching period Semester 2 commences 20^th July – the closing date for applications was Monday 22^nd June 2009.

Application Process

Australian citizens, permanent residents or New Zealand citizens need to complete an application form ("ECM application form for postgrad study") together with:

• their CV
• original academic transcripts
• evidence of English proficiency

and

• evidence of citizenship/residency (for eligibility to local fees)

Please submit your completed application directly to the Faculty Office - contact details below:

Faculty of Engineering Computing and Mathematics
M017
University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley WA 6009
Ph: +61 8 6488 3060; Fax: +61 8 6488 1026 
http://www.ecm.uwa.edu.au/contact

Please note that all applications can take up to 4 weeks to process.  Your application will need to be approved by the Academic Postgraduate Coursework Co-ordinator at the School of Mechanical Engineering as well as by the Faculty of Engineering, Computing & Mathematics.

If your application is successful, the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics and Student Administration will write to you and offer you a place. If you wish to accept the place, you must sign the letter of conditions and return it to Student Administration (click on link for map). 

The final step in your enrolment process is for you to formally enrol at Student Administration on campus (a study guide will be provided to newly commencing students to aid them in their unit selection). At this time you will receive your campus card, which allows access to the library and other facilities. 

You can initially enrol in a module as part of your professional development. If you enjoy the program, you can then apply for the Masters or Graduate Diploma.  If your application is approved and provided you successfully completed the assessments for the first module, then the points you gained from the short course(s) will be credited to you as part of your award (see Short Course webpage for more information).

International Students

International students must apply through the UWA International Centre. The International Centre is available to help you with all matters involved in assisting you to study at UWA.

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What do I Study

There are two postgraduate by coursework qualifications offered by the School of Mechanical Engineering in the field of oil and gas engineering: Graduate Diploma and Masters of Oil & Gas Engineering.

Course completion is based on the number of unit points you successfully complete from the required number of units (each unit has a 6-point value). To complete a:

- Graduate Diploma, you need 48 points (8 units);
- Masters, you need 96 points (16 units).

The Masters course can be completed as:
a) Degree by coursework only;
b) Degree by coursework and project (either 6 point, 12 point or 18 point project)

The standard completion time for each course is as follows:
- Graduate Diploma: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
- Master of Oil & Gas Engineering: 2 years full-time or up to 5 years part-time

Units may be selected from the Master of Oil and Gas Engineering Table of Options (brief course outlines can be accessed by clicking on the relevant unit code in this table). However, no more than 50% of units may be selected from Level 4 or below. To aid commencing students in their unit selection, a study guide will be provided at the time of enrolment.

Please note that not all units are offered each year. The School of Mechanical Engineering may alternate the offering of specialised topics from year to year.

Early Exit with Lesser Award

A student who withdraws from the course before qualifying for the Diploma, but after completing units to the value of at least 24 points towards the course, may apply to the Faculty to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Oil and Gas Engineering.

A candidate who withdraws from the Masters before qualifying for the degree but after completing the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Oil and Gas Engineering or the Graduate Diploma in Oil and Gas Engineering, may apply to the Faculty to be awarded the appropriate qualification.

Credit may be given for prior learning or professional experience based on information outlined in the Postgraduate handbook.

What does it cost

Domestic Students

Fee information may be located at the following link: http://www.unitcosts.uwa.edu.au/ . Commonwealth Support is available for the MOGE programmes – for further information concerning eligibility to this, please refer to information provided at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/

International Students

International Student tuition fee information can be accessed from the following link: http://studyat.uwa.edu.au/postgrad/international/fees  (In the Select by Broad Field box, choose “Engineering, Computing and Mathematics”)

Students who formally withdraw from units or cancel their course enrolment before the semester census date may request a full refund of any fees paid.

Further 2009 fee information can be obtained from the UWA HESA website.

All enrolling students may pay a voluntary amenities and service fee.

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What can I join

On campus there are many clubs you can join for social and professional purposes. As an Oil and Gas Engineering student, the following clubs and organisations are available:

Professional

• Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) (WA Student Chapter)
• The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE)
• The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME)
• Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA)
• Petroleum Club
• Formulation Evaluations Society of Western Australia (FESWA)
• Society for Underwater Technology

Social

• UWA Young Engineers
• University Engineers Club
• UWA Motorsport
• Guild Social Clubs
• Sporting Clubs

How long will it take

The program is designed to be accessible to both full-time and part-time students, and the standard completion time for each course is as follows:
- Graduate Diploma: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
- Master of Oil & Gas Engineering: 2 years full-time or up to 5 years part-time 

Students enjoy the flexibility of attending classes offered in the day-time, in the evening and online.  From 2009, class-room based teaching will be offered in standard-length semesters (however, online units are offered on a trimester basis).  Evening classes will run from 5.30 - 8:30pm.

Timetables and venue location for individual units can be accessed from the UWA Timetable website at: http://www.timetable.uwa.edu.au/Curr/selectunits.asp then by inputting the relevant unit code: For example, PETR8501 (it is possible ot input multiple unit codes).

Students can gain recognition for prior learning and experience as part of the program.  A maximum of 48 points of the MOGE can be granted towards other formal qualifications, professional training or relevant professional experience (maximum 24 points).  Each case is reviewed individually and a student would need to produce evidence of their experience or learning.

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What can I do

The different areas you can go into are detailed below. Upon completion of your undergraduate degree there are a number of options open to you. You could join industry, do postgraduate work, or research.

Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum Engineers are responsible for the safe and economic evaluation, development and production of hydrocarbons.

They may further specialise in the following areas: drilling engineering, well engineering, production engineering, formation evaluation and reservoir engineering.

Petroleum Engineers are responsible for the following general functions:

• determining the location of wells and method of drilling
• optimising well bore completion design and artificial lifting techniques to maximise hydrocarbon production
• conducting production testing to determine the composition, temperature, pressures and flow rates of reservoir fluids
• determining the optimum development scenario for an oil and gas field to maximise recovery and value

Process Engineering

Process Engineers are responsible for the design, commissioning and operation of processes and plant for the treatment of hydrocarbon fluids. Such systems comprise complex combinations of: vessels, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, contact towers, compressors, instrumentation and flare systems.

They often work in large multi-disciplinary teams to perform the following tasks:

• conceptual and detailed design of the process and equipment required to treat and stabilise reservoir fluids
• develop more cost-effective processes, smaller and lightweight equipment with improved reliability and reduced maintenance
• ensure safe, efficient and environmentally friendly processing
• test product quality
• diagnose faults
• implement corrective action
• coordinate the work of process plant operators.

Offshore Engineering

Offshore Engineers are responsible for the design of infrastructure for offshore oil and gas production including the offshore platform, subsea production equipment and pipelines.

They may perform the following tasks:

• determine the most cost-effective type of facility for the field
• calculate wind and wave loading on the structure and the structural response
• determine the method of fixing the structure to the sea bed
• design structures to support the topsides of the platform and the wind and wave loading
• select appropriate strength, weight and corrosion-resistant materials
• plan the fabrication and installation of the structure
• design flow lines, risers and ancillary equipment to connect subsea wells to the production platform, shuttle tankers and export pipelines to shore
• design floating production.

Asset Engineering

Asset Engineers are involved in the financial, commercial, quality, safety and environmental aspects of the industry in operating companies, contracting companies and government bodies. This includes the preparation of an ‘Asset Strategy’ which links the company strategy to the joint venture partners’ ambitions for the asset. It involves the full cycle of an asset from acquisition, evaluation, development, production, sale and decommissioning.

Asset Engineers in the oil and gas industry may perform the following tasks:

• apply to the regulatory authorities for permission to explore, drill and produce
• manage exploration and drilling programs
• manage design and construction projects.

Who will hire me

There are many companies around the world that will hire you. Companies include Woodside Energy, WorleyParsons, Weatherford, Thiess, Technip, Schlumberger, RISC, Oxy (Occidential Petroleum Corp), Kvaerner, Mitsubishi Corporation, IGL, Clough Engineering, Chevron, BHPBilliton and Advanced Geomechanics.

Where can I work

The options are endless, places in the world you can work include: Western Australia, Timor Sea, West Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Caspian Sea, Canada, Brazil, Venezuela, Philippines, Indonesia, China, Tunisia, Libya and Algeria.

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