Department History

Summary The Department of Petroleum Geology and Sedimentology was established with the establishment of the College in the year 1390 AH (1970). The department teaches theoretical and applied aspects related to petroleum geology. The department includes an undergraduate program and two postgraduate programs (MA and PhD). The department includes research and training laboratories equipped with the necessary tools needed by undergraduate students and researchers alike, including, a laboratory for preparing drilling fluids and samples (core lab), preparing core samples, petrophysics measurements, reservoir characterization, sedimentary cover description, sedimentary rocks description, thin sections, separation of sedimentary and fossil components. Further, the department has two grants from one of the leading companies in petroleum geosciences for modeling and formation evaluation, and seismic interpretation, namely Halliburton (Landmark software) and Schlumberger (Petrel and Techlog software)

Department Mission

The Department of Petroleum Geology and Sedimentology is committed to establish unique and diverse programs that keep pace with the continuous changes in the fields of petroleum. These programs focus on state-of-the-art sciences, integration, teamwork, awareness of industry needs, constant development, and increase the quality of scientific research.

Department Objectives

The Department of Petroleum Geology and Sedimentology aims to enhance and advance the educational and research processes and continuous development that reflects the desired goals, including: 1. Preparing plans and programs that provide graduates with knowledge, scientific skills, and scientific research methods. 2. Periodic updating of programs and course in light of the adopted standards. 3. Developing student evaluation system to achieve diversity in methods and measuring the targeted educational goals. 4. Adopting academic standards that are compatible with local and international accreditations. 5. Obtaining relevant local and international accreditations. 6. Increase the number of research papers that meet the international standards. 7. Offering consultation services in the field of geology in general and the field of petroleum exploration and production in particular. 8. Establishing partnerships with applied scientific institutions and international companies with specialization to conduct applied training courses.

Compliance with the faculty objectives and mission

The department is linked to the college’s goals and mission by providing higher education in Petroleum Geology, Sedimentology and Paleontology specialties, with strong geological background. In addition, preparing well-trained and qualified human cadres, conducting applied research related to the Kingdom’s needs and following up on new developments in the field of petroleum geosciences.

Department admission requirement (general conditions)

Students must complete 64 credit hours of university and college requirements in addition to passing the required courses to be eligible for admission to the department. In addition, a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 and passing Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (EPS 111), and Introduction to Petroleum Geology (EPS 202) with a minimum grade of 85 (B+) as well as any rules defined by the college.

Attendance

Full-time students must attend lectures and laboratory. Students are prohibited from setting the final exam if the attendance percentage fell below the percentage determined by the University Council (75% for each course during the semester). A student who is denied entry to the test due to absence is considered to have failed the course and is allocated a grade off (DN).

Program completion or Graduation requirements

The student graduates from the department after successfully completing the all-academic subjects described in the study plan of the Petroleum Geology and Sedimentology Department, completing 138 credit hours, in addition to passing the compulsory Exit Exam at the end of the program.

Graduates' employment opportunities

• Ministry of Energy
• Saudi Aramco
• Schlumberger
• Haliburton
• Companies involved in Prospecting and Exploration for Minerals (mines and quarries).
• Saudi Mining Company (Maaden)
• Ministry of Education
• Cement and Building Materials Factories.
• King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.
• Saudi Geological Survey.