Skip to main content

Student Life

Student Projects

The petroleum and natural gas engineering undergraduate curriculum is structured toward elements-of-design and its applications to real-life problems.

Beginning freshman year, the engineering design experience is stressed in the curriculum and builds upon the fundamental concepts of mathematics, basic sciences, and engineering sciences. Moreover, throughout the curriculum, engineering design experience is emphasized, both as segments of PNGE courses and in a stand-alone capstone design course.

Exercises in the design courses include projects and problems requiring technical reports and/or presentations. Realistic constraints "design-oriented courses" including reservoir engineering, drilling engineering and natural gas engineering. This culminating design course uses all elements of the PNGE undergraduate curriculum.

The capstone design course requires the seniors to expound upon their knowledge of mathematics, basic sciences, engineering sciences and petroleum and natural gas engineering that they have learned throughout the curriculum in order to solve PNGE design problems with realistic constraints.

The students in this course are required to write a report and give a presentation upon completion of their design project at the conclusion of the semester. Teams of industry professionals judge the presentations for both technical content and presentation skills.

Student Organizations

PNGE students are encouraged to expand their professional development through participation in WVU Student Chapter of Society of Petroleum Engineers, the local section of Society of Petroleum Engineers and Pi Epsilon Tau (the petroleum engineering national honor society). Both the WVU Student Chapter of SPE and the local section of SPE are exceedingly active on the campus.

  • American Gas Association
  • American Petroleum Institute
  • Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia
  • National Petroleum Council
  • National Propane Gas Association
  • Petroleum Technology Transfer Council
  • Petroleum Technology Transfer Council, Appalachian Basin
  • Pi Epsilon Tau

    Pi Epsilon Tau is the Honorary Society of Petroleum Engineers. This organization will admit senior and graduate students who have demonstrated superior academic performance. The admission to this society is solely based on exceptional cumulative grade point average.

  • Society of Petroleum Engineers

    The WVU Student Chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers has roughly 40 members. The chapter holds monthly meetings where presentations are made by outside speakers. Recent speakers include those from ChevronTexaco, BJ Services, Halliburton Services, Schlumberger, Dominion Resources and other leading companies. The College supports the WVU Student Chapter of SPE by providing transportation for field trips, financial assistance for attending annual and regional SPE conferences and matching funds for major events such as the Annual Student Recognition Banquet, as well as participating in the Regional, National and International SPE Student Paper Contest. At all levels of competition, faculty coach and support the SPE Student Paper Contests.

  • Society of Petroleum Engineers, Student Chapter

    The Student Chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is the official organization for petroleum engineering students at WVU. We are committed to excellence as well as making the department a happier place. Each student chapter is represented by a faculty sponsor, president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and any other officers deemed necessary by the chapter.

  • Society of Professional Well Log Analysts
  • WVU Student Section of AADE

    WVU Student Section of AADE meets regularly to discuss technical ideas and network with fellow students and industry professionals. Our organization provides field trips, trips to national and local AADE meetings and events. We are affiliated with Appalachian Chapter of AADE, a non-profit volunteer organization whose mission is to provide the forum for the dissemination of practical drilling technology.

Statler College Student Services

The Office of Student Services is dedicated to serving the students of the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. Please visit us in Room 340 of the Mineral Resources Building at any time. We will do everything we can to help you succeed and achieve your academic and personal goals.

Click here to for Student Services

WVU Career Assistance

WVU Career Services' team of career development specialists are ready to assist with resume reviews, practice interviews or job search coaching. Use the resources available to you and reach out at any time!

WVU Career Services