Students who are interested in petroleum geology can pursue a PhD in one of several related fields and tailor their education to their specific interests. Learn about the various degree options available, as well as the common course and entry criteria for these programs.

Read more on this post to see further details on online geology certificate, aapg online courses, aapg webinars, and training for geologist.

best online geology courses

Geology, geosciences, and earth science degrees aren’t easy to find online. This makes sense since they pose particular challenges, as they tend to be very hands-on subjects. However, some universities have found a way to offer a high-value online geology degree. This ranking of the top five online geology and earth sciences degrees mixes online bachelor’s and online master’s degrees in geology, geosciences, and earth science. The reason this ranking includes both bachelor’s and master’s degrees is because this is a field where training at both levels is often beneficial, and because there are few of these degrees offered online at either level. Therefore, combining them into one ranking made plenty of sense. We rated them based on affordability, 20-year net return on investment, and graduation rate. Details on the methodology can be found after the article, as can some answers to frequently asked questions. These best value geology degree programs online are listed from #5 to #1.

#5. Western Governors University

Online Geology Degree

Website
Rating: 6 Points

This online bachelor’s in earth science (science education) program is affordable and flexible. Depending on how many credits you can transfer in when you start it, can take between 16 and 48 months to complete. WGU charges by the semester instead of by the credit, which means if you manage to shave semesters off your degree you can save thousands of dollars. In this best value geology degree online, students will take courses like geology I & II; ecology and environmental science; and science, technology, and society.

• Tuition: $6,450
• 20yr Net ROI: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 29%

#4. Penn State University-World Campus

Online Geology Degree

Website
Rating: 11 Points

This online master of education in earth sciences from Penn State University requires a total of thirty credits. Students will take courses like plate tectonics and people: foundations of solid earth science; earth surface processes in the critical zone; contemporary controversies in earth science; overview of contemporary school curriculum; and special topics in earth science. This program comes in #4 in our ranking of best value geology programs online.

• Tuition: $13,545
• 20yr Net ROI: $391,000
• Graduation Rate: 29%

#3. Southern New Hampshire University

Online Geology Degree

Website
Rating: 11 Points

The online bachelor’s in geoscience degree from SNHU offers concentrations in geospatial technology and natural resources and conservation. Graduates from this program have become geologists, geoscientists, environmental analysts, environmental protection specialists, and environmental scientists. The curriculum includes courses like geoscientific research methods, geostatistics and data analysis, geosciences methodologies, principles of geology, and leadership and ethics in the geosciences.

• Tuition: $9,600
• 20yr Net ROI: $213,000
• Graduation Rate: 54%

#2. Texas A&M University

Online Geology Degree

Website
Rating: 20 Points

Texas A&M University at College Station is one of the top 100 universities in the United States, according to U.S. News. In the university’s online master’s of geosciences program, students can choose between tracks of study in geographic information science and technology, petroleum data management, and ocean data science. It’s a non-thesis professional program designed specifically to cater to the needs of professionals in the petroleum industry. The degree can be completed in as few as 18 months and you’ll have your master’s in geology degree online.

• Tuition: $18,144
• 20yr Net ROI: $502,000
• Graduation Rate: 82%

#1. University of Florida

Online Geology Degree

Website
Rating: 23 Points

The University of Florida’s online programs are some of the best in the country. The bachelor of arts in geology is one of the only such degrees available in the United States online currently and is an incredible value. Students graduating from this program will be prepared to begin their professional lives as coastal geologists, mineralogists, volcanologists wellsite geologists, or geochemists. University of Florida is the #1 best value online degree in geology in this ranking.

• Tuition: $6,360
• 20yr Net ROI: $430,000
• Graduation Rate: 90%

online geology courses free

Free Online Geology Courses from Top

Free geology courses cover a variety of subjects at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Students can download course materials online.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT offers a diverse assortment of online geology courses for free via its OpenCourseWare platform. Course topics include igneous petrology, trace element geochemistry, medical geology, and landscape evolution.

• Advanced Igneous Petrology
• Geobiology
• Trace Element Geochemistry
• Structure of Earth Materials
• Medical Geology/Geochemistry: An Exposure
• Structural Geology
• Electron Microprobe Analysis
• Surface Processes and Landscape Evolution
• Introduction to Seismology
• Geodynamics
• Principles of the Global Positioning System
• Phase Transitions in the Earth’s Interior
• Trace Element Analysis of Geological, Biological and Environmental Materials by Neutron Analysis: An Exposure
• Petrology
• Field Geology I

Free Online Geology Courses At a Glance

Course & School	Program Level	Format	Assignments	Quizzes & Exams	Downloadable
Advanced Igneous Petrology course from MIT	Graduate	Textbooks/labs/study materials	Yes	Yes	Yes
Geobiology course from MIT	Undergraduate	Textbooks/lecture notes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Trace Element Geochemistry course from MIT	Graduate	Textbooks/lecture notes	Yes	No	Yes
Structure of Earth Materials course from MIT	Undergraduate	Textbooks/lecture notes/labs/image gallery	Yes	Yes	Yes
Medical Geology/Geochemistry: An Exposure course from MIT	Undergraduate	Textbooks/lecture notes/projects	Yes	Yes	Yes
Structural Geology course from MIT	Undergraduate	Text/lecture notes/labs	Yes	Yes	Yes
Electron Microprobe Analysis course from MIT	Undergraduate	Textbook/lecture notes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Surface Processes and Landscape Evolution course from MIT	Undergraduate/graduate	Lecture notes/labs/study materials	Yes	No	Yes
Introduction to Seismology course from MIT	Graduate	Textbook/lecture notes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Geodynamics course from MIT	Graduate	Texts/lecture notes	Yes	No	Yes
Principles of the Global Positioning System course from MIT	Graduate	Textbooks/lecture notes	Yes	No	Yes
Phase Transitions in the Earth’s Interior course from MIT	Graduate	Texts	Yes	No	Yes
Trace Element Analysis of Geological, Biological and Environmental Materials by Neutron Analysis: An Exposure course from MIT	Undergraduate/graduate	Lecture notes/projects	Yes	Yes	Yes
Petrology course from MIT	Undergraduate	Texts/lecture notes/labs	Yes	Yes	Yes
Field Geology I course from MIT	Undergraduate	Texts/lecture notes/labs	Yes	No	Yes

Obtain knowledge of the origins of petroleum and gas

An overview is given on the conditions that are needed for oil and gas to accumulate in reservoirs. Moreover, techniques to find and exploit these reservoirs are highlighted. The focus always is on the task of the petroleum geologist during the different phases of oil and gas exploration and production.

After an introduction to the course including typical numbers and historical developments, essential terms and concepts like biomolecules and the carbon cycle are explained. The course then explains the maturation of the source rocks when forming oil and gas, the composition of oil and gas, how the oil travels from the source rock to the oil reservoir, and where it is explored.

The course also discusses the reservoir rock properties, like permeability and porosity, how the oil or gas can be trapped inside the reservoir rock, and the exploration and production of different types of basins.

In several of the lectures, non-fictive case studies are presented in order to clarify the theory presented. In order to properly understand the course, prior knowledge in general geology and fluid flow in rocks is preferred.

1. Introduction
2. The carbon cycle, organic matter, and maturation
3. The composition of oil and gas
4. Migration from source to the reservoir
5. Reservoir rock properties
6. Trapping
7. Basin types and their exploration and production: reserves and resources

Price: Free

Instructor: Prof. Dr. S.M. Luthi

Requirements:

General Geology, Fluid Flow in Rocks.

How to Earn a PhD Degree in Petroleum Geology

While there are not typically Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs available specifically in petroleum geology, students can pursue closely related PhD programs in petroleum engineering or geosciences with a focus on petroleum geology. Usually, these degree programs require students to complete a dissertation, they might range between 72 and 90 credits, and they may have additional requirements, such as giving a presentation or seminar prior to graduation. Coursework for these degree programs is typically flexible to allow students to focus their studies in their particular area(s) of interest. However, below you’ll find a handful of examples of common course topics for these degree programs.

Reservoir Engineering

Students may take one or more courses, such as an introductory and an advanced course, in reservoir engineering that discuss producing and recovery drive mechanisms. These courses may examine primary and secondary mechanisms, as well as concepts with flow through porous materials. Other topics for these courses may include creating recovery performance prediction models, derivations and solutions for flows, and effects of heterogeneity.

Well Test Analysis

Courses in well test analysis may include a lecture and laboratory section to help students explore test analysis and simulations for wells. These courses typically include an overview of fluid properties and petrophysics before diving into analytical well tests and how to interpret these tests. Students may learn about different tests designed for types of wells, such as injection wells, fractured wells, or horizontal wells. Other topics that students may discuss in these courses include flow regimes, material balance, wellbore phenomena, and steady-state flow.

Drilling

Students usually take more than one course that covers various topics in drilling, and some of these courses may include a laboratory section. These degree programs may provide courses that explore drilling optimization, directional drilling, or advanced drilling. In general, these courses explore the ins and outs of well planning and the actual drilling process. Courses in drilling optimization look at ways to optimize the drilling process through the selection of operational parameters, while other courses in drilling may cover concepts like hole problems, limiting factors, pressure losses, muds, and fracture gradients.

Improved Recovery

Courses in improved recovery techniques provide students with an overview of the different recovery methods used in the field. Some of these courses may include secondary and tertiary processes and/or the different diagnostic techniques used by professionals. Students in these courses also further develop their ability to analyze laboratory results and apply these results to real issues in the field. Other topics these courses may discuss include the primary energy mechanism, new wellbore techniques, enhanced oil recovery, and waterflooding.

Stimulation

Courses in advanced stimulation examine the theories and concepts related to hydraulic fracturing. These courses involve continuum mechanics and may give students the opportunity to use STIMPLAN software to experiment with real industry examples. Students in these courses study the planning, executing, and evaluation methods used for these hydraulic treatments, as well as other stimulation methods, like acid fracturing.

Admittance Requirements for Doctoral Programs in Petroleum Geology

Applicants to PhD programs in petroleum geology and related areas need to have at least a bachelor’s degree, which usually is in petroleum geology or another area of engineering, such as geological engineering, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering. Depending on a student’s educational background, some petroleum engineering programs may require students to complete remedial coursework specifically in petroleum engineering and/or other areas of engineering, such as geophysics or geology. Some programs may require students to meet a minimum GPA requirement, like a 3.2 or higher, and most of these programs require applicants to take the GRE. Depending on the program, some students may be required to submit a portfolio, with information like GRE scores, a CV, and research work, to one or more potential PhD advisors and secure an advisor prior to applying in order to include their advisor’s name in a statement of purpose. Other application materials for these degree programs might include transcripts and/or letters of recommendation.

Students wishing to study petroleum geology can pursue PhD programs in petroleum engineering or geosciences. These programs usually require a dissertation and include coursework in areas like drilling, well test analysis, and reservoir engineering.

what is petroleum geology all about

Petroleum Geoscience covers all aspects of upstream petroleum geoscience and related energy resources—from initial exploration through to field appraisal, development and management.

Ranked #1 in Australia and #7 globally* the Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources is one of the largest petroleum-focused university schools in the Southern Hemisphere, and the only institution worldwide offering fully integrated research and teaching programs in petroleum geoscience, engineering and management.

Our petroleum geoscience degrees provide all-round multidisciplinary preparation for a wide-range of employment options in subsurface energy resource industries—ensuring you’ll graduate equipped with the knowledge, skills and expertise to thrive in one of the most dynamic, wealth-creating industries of the present and future.

We offer three Petroleum Geoscience programs at the Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources:

• Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science with specialisation in Petroleum Geology and Geophysics
• Graduate Certificate in Petroleum Geology and Geophysics
• Master of Science (Petroleum Geoscience)

All of our degrees provide world-class training in the practical and technical skills required by the hydrocarbon exploration and production industry. Additionally, the points of difference between each of our programs have been designed to satisfy a particular industry niche. 

Development of our curriculum is guided by our board, which is populated by representatives from industry and state government regulators. This ensures our courses remain current, industry-relevant and balanced.

In addition to our main focus, we provide a broad curriculum featuring modules that cover petroleum engineering and decision making in the oil and gas industry. These offerings set our program apart from others in Australia and many others around the world.

While our graduates are highly sought after within the petroleum industry sector and beyond, our courses also provide a thorough grounding in research skills—giving graduates the ideal foundation to pursue further research at PhD level.

Other reasons to study with us:

• Hone your technical skills in our working laboratories, located indoors, outdoors, in the classroom and on-site
• Undertake meaningful research that applies theory to real-world problems and be mentored by our world-leading research staff
• Explore the wide variety of specialist disciplines contributing under the petroleum geoscience umbrella—discover your niche or master them all!
• Graduate career ready and in-demand, with an internationally recognised and industry-preferred qualification

Additionally for students studying at Honours level with us, we offer school-based grants to help cover the cost of studying—up to $3,000 for students undertaking an industry-supported research project based in South Australia, and up to $6,000 for students undertaking an interstate research project.

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• What you’ll studyOur degree programs in Petroleum Geoscience have been designed to accommodate students with a range of geoscientific backgrounds.Numeracy and standard computing skills will be required for undertaking coursework and research.Specific workplace skills training—CV preparation, interview and presentation skills, technical writing—is provided by ASPER and runs in parallel with technical curriculum components. Supplementary skills training can be accessed via general university skills training courses.In Semester 1, Graduate Certificate and Masters students share a classroom and undertake the same coursework schedule.Our graduate students often come to us with industry experience, and usually directly from an industry role. We encourage strong interaction between our degree program cohorts so students can share their experience of the realities of getting underway in the energy and resources industries. We also deliver our programs under the premise that you will interact extensively with your peers on technical course content during lecturing breaks, tutorials and practical sessions—helping prepare you for the team-based mode of working that you will later encounter within the industry.Your time with us will be ideal preparation for making the transition from education to employment.Semester 1 core coursesFundamentals of Petroleum Geoscience IFocusses on the interpretation of sedimentary rocks as hosts of conventional and unconventional petroleum resources using sedimentology, stratigraphy and well log analysis.Fundamentals of Petroleum Geoscience IIComprises an integrated set of modules focusing on structural geology and geomechanics, seismic data analysis, subsurface mapping and exploration management.Petroleum Resource EvaluationThis course brings together disciplines of geology, geophysics, reservoir engineering and decision-making to provide an integrated approach to evaluating oil and gas fields.Petroleum Systems and Basin EvaluationThis course covers a range of topics related to the key elements and processes of the petroleum system, including hydrocarbon generation, migration, accumulation and alteration.Semester 2 core coursesPetroleum Geoscience: Honours Research Project
  (Honours degree program only)Projects will be in an agreed area of cutting-edge geoscience that is of relevance to the petroleum industry.Advanced Petroleum Geoscience I
  (MSc degree program only)Advanced stratigraphic and structural petroleum geology.Advanced Petroleum Geoscience II
  (MSc degree program only)Advanced seismic and FMI data acquisition and interpretation.Petroleum Geoscience: MSc Research Project  (MSc degree program only)Projects to characterise petroleum systems in Australian sedimentary basins.
• How to applyThe Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science with specialisation in Petroleum Geology and Geophysics is taught by the Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources, but administered by the Faculty of Sciences.To submit an expression of interest in the degree, please complete the Honours Expression of Interest form on the Faculty of Sciences website.