石油工程学是数学，地质学，物理学，化学和所有工程学的基础和物理科学在石油的发现，开发，生产和运输中的实际应用。石油是使用最广泛的移动能源，目前提供的能源约占美国总能源的四分之三。它也是制造各种产品的主要原材料。
Petroleum Engineering is the practical application of the basic and physical sciences of mathematics, geology, physics, chemistry, and all of the engineering sciences to the discovery, development, production, and transportation of petroleum. Petroleum is the most widely used form of mobile energy and now supplies approximately three-fourths of the total energy used in the United States. It is also a major raw material from which a wide variety of products are manufactured. The department is heavily involved in assisting students to find employment-both summer internships and full-time positions- upon graduation. An interview and resume workshop for the fall and spring semesters is conducted through the Dean's office to assist students with interviewing and resume writing skills as an additional effort to maintain petroleum engineering's outstanding placement rate through the Dean's office. The curriculum is under continuous review, and revisions are made as needed to maintain accreditation and ensure employability of students. Faculty participation with ABET and the SPE Education and Accreditation Committee ensure the department is current on engineering education. In addition, faculty have attended and been principal planners in all nine of the Colloquiums on Petroleum Engineering Education. Changes in the petroleum engineering curriculum since 1991 have been implemented by the Petroleum Engineering Curriculum Committee after due consideration of input from the Petroleum Industry Advisory Board, ABET recommendations, and the department's planning and assessment tools.