1. Major Introduction

This major focuses on fundamental theories of geosciences and exploration & development of energies (including renewable energy) to help students to gain a wide range of engineering and technical abilities and learn energy exploration technologies and basic working methods at field and in laboratory. Students will get to know about geological characteristics and distribution of energy resources, and will become able to work on prospecting, appraisal, development and management of energy resources. Both “general education” and “professional education” will be integrated into the study, which will help students in their employment and their pursuit for further studies. Once graduated, the students will be qualified enough to work at enterprises, research institutes and universities that involve exploration & development of energy resources and integration of energy utilization and environmental protection. Such organizations may include the Ministry of Land and Resources, international and domestic oil companies, coal & geology bureaus and geological survey institutes.

2. Academic Objectives

The students will have balanced development of knowledge, capabilities and personal attributes. They will understand principal theories, basic approaches and fundamental skills of resources prospecting engineering (energy & mineral resources), and will obtain the basic engineering training to become engineers of resources prospection. They will be trained to develop creativity, practical abilities and an international mind to become professionals or engineers in exploration, appraisal and management of energy and mineral resources. The graduates will become qualified geological engineers or backbones in a research institution or in a manufacturing plant after 5 years of practical work.

3. Academic Requirements

Resources Prospecting Engineering (Energy) places particular emphasis on education about exploration, development and management of oil & gas fossil fuel to make students knowledgeable about and capable of geological survey, development, engineering and technology related to fossil fuel. To reach the goal of creating leaders and talents, this major requires students not only to pledge allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), support socialism, and have a desire to serve our country and the people, but also to meet the requirements set forth by the Chinese Engineering Education Accreditation Association (CEEAA) in the 2015 guidelines. Details are as follows:

(1)  Engineering Knowledge and Problem Analysis: Students should possess and be able to utilise knowledge of mathematics, natural science, and fundamental engineering to identify, articulate, analyse, and solve complex problems in Resource Exploration Engineering (hereafter REE) and derive useful conclusions. (Requirements #1 &2)

(2)  Designing and Developing Solutions: Students should be able to utilise modern exploration technologies, including geological, geochemical, geophysical knowledge, to design solutions for complex REE problems. The design shall satisfy the processes and regulations on REE, and be creative and considerate of social, health, safety, legal, cultural, and environmental ramifications. (Requirement #3)

(3)  Research: Students should be able to use scientific mechanisms and processes to do designing, collect data, analyse data and draw reasonable or valid conclusions in complex lab experiments in REE.

(4)  Utilisation of Modern Tools: Students should be able to develop, choose, and use relevant technologies to solve complex REE problems. They should be able to use modern engineering tools, information technological tools, and professional software, including modelling and projecting. They should understand the limitations and applications of these tools (Requirement #5)

(5)  Engineering and Society: Based on basic engineering knowledge, students shall analyse and understand the effects of REE solutions on society, health, safety, legislation, and culture. They shall understand their responsibilities (Requirement #7).  

(6)  Environment and Sustainability: Students should be able to explore research, designing, production, environmental protection, sustainability, policy and legal issues in the field of REE. They should be able to understand and evaluate the long-term impacts of energy exploration and development on the environment and society.

(7)  Career Development and Teamwork: Students should have a sound understanding of social sciences, a strong sense of social responsibilities, and a healthy body. They should abide by professional ethics and norms, and fulfill professional duties under practical REE settings. Each student should be able to work as an individual, a team member, or a group leader in inter-disciplinary settings. Strong teamwork skills are an asset. (Requirement # 8&9)

(8)  Communication: Students will be able to communicate effectively about complex REE issues with international counterparts and the general public through writing papers or reports and delivering speeches at conferences. They need to possess a global vision and the ability to open international communications or exchanges (Requirement #10).

(9)  Project Management: Students should thoroughly understand the management mechanisms and economic decision-making tools relevant to REE, and be able to utilize such skills in multi-disciplinary settings (Requirements #11) .

(10) Lifelong Learning: Students should possess innate the desire for lifelong continuous learning and the ability to adapt to changes (Requirement #12).

4. Length of Schooling and Degree

The length of schooling is four years of full-time study. Students will be awarded the Bachelor Degree of Engineering when they have completed the required minimum credits and have met all other requirements.

5. Core Courses

Specialized Courses Courses: Petroleum and Natural Gas Geology, Seismic Exploration Principle and Interpretation, Geophysical Well Logging and Interpretation, Sequence Stratigraphy, Petroleum Tectonics Analysis, Basis of Hydrocarbon Reservoir Geology, Subsurface Geology of Oil and Gas Fields, Seismic Interpretation Technique and Its Application, Exploration and Evaluation for Hydrocarbon, Geology of Petroliferous Basins, Petroleum Technology and Economic Evaluation, Specialty English for Resource Prospecting Engineering (Energy).

Practice Courses: Geological Survey Field Trip in Beidaihe, Geological Survey Field Trip in Zhoukoudian, Interpretation of Geophysical Well Logging Design Practice, Geological Interpretation of Seismic Profile Design Practice, Professional Practice, Petroleum Geology Design Practice, Subsurface Geology of Oil and Gas Fields Design Practice, Graduation Design (Thesis).