Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences - Master of Science Degree Programme


Study programme description for study year 2023-2024

Facts

Credits (ECTS)

120

Studyprogram code

M-ENRGEO

Level

Master's degree (2 years)

Leads to degree

Master of Science

Full-/Part-time

Full-time

Duration

4 Semesters

Undergraduate

No

Language of instruction

English

With an MSc degree in Energy, Reservoir, and Earth Sciences you are qualified for working within energy dealing with the subsurface and the climate challenges associated with it both in the public and private sector. Job opportunities include large and small energy operators and service companies that need subsurface competence for exploring and developing energy resources and storage waste in the subsurface. Research institutes are also an opportunity given that the area of expertise is needed to develop the technologies for future sustainability needs. 

 

This is an international master’s program, where both Norwegian and international students study together with various forms of group and project-based teaching methods in order to maximize learning outcomes. The program is 100 % in English and includes a total of 120 ECTS. The first year (60 ECTS) includes obligatory courses focusing on the fundamental background of subsurface knowledge, fluid flow in porous media, and methodologies necessary for understanding and characterizing the subsurface and its potential as a reservoir for production and storage of energy. The 3rd semester includes 30 ECTS elective courses, where the student can choose various specialized courses within subsurface optimization, modelling, economics, etc. Alternatively, students may also choose to a semester exchange abroad to one of our partner institutions or take courses at UNIS in Svalbard (https://www.unis.no/). Finally, the 4th semester consists of a thesis project, where the student applies all the knowledge from the program. The project can be theoretical or practical upon the student’s interest. 

Students will meet different types of working and teaching methodologies, including usage of leading-edge technology, practical laboratory work and hands-on projects using real data. The evaluations will consist mostly of continuous and portfolio which maximizes the learning outcome of the students and participation throughout the semester. The invidual course descriptions provide further information about:  

  • Lectures and instructions on academic activities  
  • Curricular, compendiums and projects 
  • Evaluation criteria  
  • Exams  

 

Learning outcomes

After having completed the master’s programme in Energy, Reservoir, and Earth Sciences, the student shall have acquired the following learning outcomes, in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence: 

 

Knowledge 

K1 - The candidate has advanced knowledge about the subsurface, the rocks and fluids that constitute the crust of the Earth, and the properties and structures they exhibit. 

K2 - The candidate has advanced knowledge about the physical and chemical processes operating in the subsurface on geological and human time scales, and how these processes shape the subsurface as we interpret it today. 

K3 - The candidate has advanced knowledge about subsurface reservoirs, the natural resources (e.g. hydrocarbons, water, geothermal) or compounds (e.g. CO2, hydrogen) they can contain or store. 

K4 - The candidate has the knowledge to develop, implement and manage optimal engineering solutions for the production or storage of natural resources or energy in an environmentally responsible manner. 

K5 – The candidate can evaluate the applicability of innovative processes for subsurface solutions. 

 

Skills 

S1 - The candidate is able to interpret and integrate static and dynamic subsurface data to construct geologically realistic models of the subsurface and its uncertainties. 

S2 - The candidate is able to use experiments and models in order to understand physical and chemical processes operating in the subsurface and predict the outcome of these processes. 

S3 - The candidate is able to integrate the S1 and S2 skills in order to support decision-making for the optimal and environmentally responsible management of reservoirs in the energy sector. 

S4 - The candidate can apply relevant methods and conduct an independent, limited research or development project within the area of expertise under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics. 

S5 – The candidate can analyse existing theories, methods and interpretations in the field and work independently on practical and theoretical problems. 

 

General Competence 

G1 - The candidate can collaborate and discuss with their scientific peers on the relevance of reservoir management for energy and storage purposes. 

G2 - The candidate is able to communicate to the general public in a scientific manner the relevance of the subsurface and reservoir management for energy supply and decarbonisation. 

G3 - The candidate is able to collaborate with the industry and government sectors to design optimal and environmentally responsible solutions for the utilization of reservoirs in the subsurface. 

G4 - The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and skills to solve subsurface-based problems in both academic and industry settings. 

G5 - The candidate is able to transfer knowledge and skills to subsurface problems in new, innovative, or other relevant fields than the energy or storage fields. 


 

Career prospects

After successfully completing this programme, the candidate is qualified to work both in the public and private energy sectors, particularly where subsurface competence for both energy production and storage are required. The present and future energy mix scenarios and climate challenges demand professionals with a holistic understanding of the subsurface, in order to achieve sustainability in the coming decades. The professionals from this programme have an integrated education that provides the competence necessary to face these challenges. 

Depending on the chosen elective courses, graduates of the program can pursue a career in a range of different roles including geologist, geophysicist, petrophysicist, engineering geologist, subsurface data scientist and reservoir engineer. 

While most UiS graduates are traditionally employed in the oil and gas industry, a growing number of geoscientists are working in other sectors with renewable energy, mining, construction, waste, and water management. In addition, candidates from this program can work in academic and research institutions or pursue a PhD programme related to research and development technology for the subsurface and related areas. 

Graduates prepared to embark on an academic or research career may pursue a PhD programme in disciplines as varied as the professional career paths. 

Course assessment

Schemes for quality assurance and evaluation of studies are stipulated in the Quality system for education

Study plan and courses

  • Compulsory courses

    • GEOMAS: Master’s Thesis in Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences

      Year 2, semester 3

      Master’s Thesis in Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences (GEOMAS)

      Study points: 30

  • 3rd semester at UiS or Exchange Studies

    • Courses at UiS 3rd semester

      • Recommended electives 3rd semester

        • GEO608: Integrated Reservoir Management: From data to decisions

          Year 2, semester 3

          Integrated Reservoir Management: From data to decisions (GEO608)

          Study points: 10

        • GEO620: Developing Research and Presentation Skills

          Year 2, semester 3

          Developing Research and Presentation Skills (GEO620)

          Study points: 10

        • MOD510: Modeling and Computational Engineering

          Year 2, semester 3

          Modeling and Computational Engineering (MOD510)

          Study points: 10

        • PET685: Economics and Decision Analysis for Engineers

          Year 2, semester 3

          Economics and Decision Analysis for Engineers (PET685)

          Study points: 10

      • Other electives 3rd semester

        • GEO560: Topics on Geosciences

          Year 2, semester 3

          Topics on Geosciences (GEO560)

          Study points: 5

        • GEO680: Practical Training in Computational Engineering or Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences

          Year 2, semester 3

          Practical Training in Computational Engineering or Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences (GEO680)

          Study points: 10

        • MOD500: Modeling for Decision Insight

          Year 2, semester 3

          Modeling for Decision Insight (MOD500)

          Study points: 10

        • MSB415: Sustainable Entrepreneurship

          Year 2, semester 3

          Sustainable Entrepreneurship (MSB415)

          Study points: 10

        • PET515: Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration

          Year 2, semester 3

          Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration (PET515)

          Study points: 10

    • Exchange 3rd semester

  • Compulsory courses

    • GEO501: Subsurface Geology

      Year 1, semester 1

      Subsurface Geology (GEO501)

      Study points: 10

    • GEO502: Reservoir Physics and Chemistry

      Year 1, semester 1

      Reservoir Physics and Chemistry (GEO502)

      Study points: 10

    • GEO503: Reservoir Geophysics

      Year 1, semester 1

      Reservoir Geophysics (GEO503)

      Study points: 5

    • GEO504: Reservoir Evaluation Technology

      Year 1, semester 1

      Reservoir Evaluation Technology (GEO504)

      Study points: 5

    • GEO505: Subsurface Interpretation and Modelling

      Year 1, semester 2

      Subsurface Interpretation and Modelling (GEO505)

      Study points: 10

    • GEO506: Reservoir Modelling and simulation

      Year 1, semester 2

      Reservoir Modelling and simulation (GEO506)

      Study points: 10

    • GEO507: Reservoir Storage and Production

      Year 1, semester 2

      Reservoir Storage and Production (GEO507)

      Study points: 5

    • GEO508: Energy Transition and Sustainability

      Year 1, semester 2

      Energy Transition and Sustainability (GEO508)

      Study points: 5

    • GEOMAS: Master’s Thesis in Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences

      Year 2, semester 3

      Master’s Thesis in Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences (GEOMAS)

      Study points: 30

  • 3rd semester at UiS or Exchange Studies

    • Courses at UiS 3rd semester

      • Recommended electives 3rd semester

        • GEO608: Integrated Reservoir Management: From data to decisions

          Year 2, semester 3

          Integrated Reservoir Management: From data to decisions (GEO608)

          Study points: 10

        • GEO620: Developing Research and Presentation Skills

          Year 2, semester 3

          Developing Research and Presentation Skills (GEO620)

          Study points: 10

        • MOD500: Decision Analysis with Artificial Intelligence Support

          Year 2, semester 3

          Decision Analysis with Artificial Intelligence Support (MOD500)

          Study points: 10

        • MOD510: Modeling and Computational Engineering

          Year 2, semester 3

          Modeling and Computational Engineering (MOD510)

          Study points: 10

      • Other electives 3rd semester

        • GEO560: Topics on Geosciences

          Year 2, semester 3

          Topics on Geosciences (GEO560)

          Study points: 5

        • GEO680: Practical Training in Computational Engineering or Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences

          Year 2, semester 3

          Practical Training in Computational Engineering or Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences (GEO680)

          Study points: 10

        • MSB415: Sustainable Entrepreneurship

          Year 2, semester 3

          Sustainable Entrepreneurship (MSB415)

          Study points: 10

        • PET515: Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration

          Year 2, semester 3

          Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration (PET515)

          Study points: 10

        • PET685: Economics and Decision Analysis for Engineers

          Year 2, semester 3

          Economics and Decision Analysis for Engineers (PET685)

          Study points: 10

    • Exchange 3rd semester

Student exchange

Schedule for the exchange

Students can go on a study abroad experience during the 3rd semester of the master's program in Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences.

The 3rd semester consists of 30 ECTS credits of flexible courses and electives. During the exchange semester you can choose subjects relevant to the master program, and also depending on personal interests and career opportunities. The courses you want to take abroad must be approved by the department. It is important that the subjects/ courses from abroad not overlap with subjects you have already taken. An advice is to think about your professional career and your fields of specific interest.

More opportunities

In addition to the recommended universities listed below, UiS has a number of agreements with universities outside Europe that are applicable to all students at UiS, provided that they find a relevant subject offering. Within the Nordic region, all students can use the Nordlys and Nordtek networks.

Find out more

Svalbard
Students may choose to take courses at UNIS in Svalbard. More information here.

Contact your student adviser at the Faculty if you have questions about guidance and pre-approval of courses.

Karina Sanni

General questions about exchange:

Go to the exchange guide in the Digital student service desk

Student exchange

  • All countries

    Colorado School of Mines

    Colorado School of Mines (CSM) er et offentlig universitet kjent verden over for sin gode ingeniørutdannelse.

    RWTH Aachen University

    Er du på utkikk etter en spennende mulighet i Tyskland er RWTH Aachen University det naturlige valget! Universitetet streber etter å bli det beste tekniske universitetet i Tyskland og er på god vei til målet.I tillegg er de høyt rangert innen økonomi. Bli med på en del av reisen – bli utvekslingsstudent i Aachen!

    University of Catania

    Bli Erasmus+ student og studer ved det eldste universitetet på Sicilia!

    University of Coimbra

    University of Coimbra i Portugal er blant verdens eldste universiteter med røtter tilbake til 1290. Universitetet er et høyt rangert breddeuniversitet med åtte fakulteter. Faculty of Science and Technology tilbyr en unik utvekslingsmulighet for masterstudenter på petroleumsgeologi.

    University of Houston

    Houston ligger i den amerikanske delstaten Texas, og er kjent som verdens energihovedstad. Byen er også et finans- og oljesentrum i USA.

    University of Leoben

    I Leoben er det gode muligheter for å kombinerer studier, fjellturer og kultur!

    University of Milan-Bicocca

    Do you want to enjoy a city life style in Northern Italy and receive education abroad from the second highest ranked Italian University? Apply for a exchange semester in the Lombard region!

    University of North Dakota

    University of North Dakota er et offentlig forskningsuniversitet med historie tilbake til 1883. Universitetet er kjent for sin forskning innen luftfart, helsefag, ernæring, energi og miljø og ingeniørfag. I tillegg får du ekte nordamerikansk campus-stemning.

    Uppsala universitet

    “In Uppsala you walk in the gardens of Linnaeus, follow in the footsteps of Nobel laureates, and at the same time meet today’s and tomorrow’s smartest teachers and researchers.”

  • Italia

    University of Catania

    Bli Erasmus+ student og studer ved det eldste universitetet på Sicilia!

    University of Milan-Bicocca

    Do you want to enjoy a city life style in Northern Italy and receive education abroad from the second highest ranked Italian University? Apply for a exchange semester in the Lombard region!

  • Portugal

    University of Coimbra

    University of Coimbra i Portugal er blant verdens eldste universiteter med røtter tilbake til 1290. Universitetet er et høyt rangert breddeuniversitet med åtte fakulteter. Faculty of Science and Technology tilbyr en unik utvekslingsmulighet for masterstudenter på petroleumsgeologi.

  • Sverige

    Uppsala universitet

    “In Uppsala you walk in the gardens of Linnaeus, follow in the footsteps of Nobel laureates, and at the same time meet today’s and tomorrow’s smartest teachers and researchers.”

  • Tyskland

    RWTH Aachen University

    Er du på utkikk etter en spennende mulighet i Tyskland er RWTH Aachen University det naturlige valget! Universitetet streber etter å bli det beste tekniske universitetet i Tyskland og er på god vei til målet.I tillegg er de høyt rangert innen økonomi. Bli med på en del av reisen – bli utvekslingsstudent i Aachen!

  • USA

    Colorado School of Mines

    Colorado School of Mines (CSM) er et offentlig universitet kjent verden over for sin gode ingeniørutdannelse.

    University of Houston

    Houston ligger i den amerikanske delstaten Texas, og er kjent som verdens energihovedstad. Byen er også et finans- og oljesentrum i USA.

    University of North Dakota

    University of North Dakota er et offentlig forskningsuniversitet med historie tilbake til 1883. Universitetet er kjent for sin forskning innen luftfart, helsefag, ernæring, energi og miljø og ingeniørfag. I tillegg får du ekte nordamerikansk campus-stemning.

  • Østerrike

    University of Leoben

    I Leoben er det gode muligheter for å kombinerer studier, fjellturer og kultur!

Admission requirements

A bachelor's degree within geosciences or reservoir engineering or a related field, which includes 20 ECTS credits in mathematics (with 10 ECTS credits in mathematics and 10 ECTS credits in mathematics/statistics) and 30 ECTS credits in geosciences, reservoir engineering, and/or subsurface resources.

Admission to this master's programme requires a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (according to ECTS Standards) in your bachelor's degree.

Contact information

Faculty of Science and Technology, tel: +47 51 83 17 00, email: post-tn@uis.no.

Study Adviser: Karina Sanni