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

With a 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 programme, 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 programme is 100 % in English and includes a total of 120 ECTS. The first year (60 ECTS) includes compulsory 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 do 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 programme. The project can be theoretical or practical depending on 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 individual course descriptions provide further information about:

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

The MSc in Energy, Reservoir, and Earth Sciences is advantageously connected to the National Centre for Sustainable Subsurface Utilisation of the Norwegian Continental Shelf - NCS2030. Among its goals is to help Norway meet the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals to reach net-zero emission goals in 2030. One major focus of the NCS2030 is education, which provides thesis opportunities with project partners.

The MSc in Energy, Reservoir, and Earth Sciences is aligned with sustainable development goals. SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts is met through teaching students how use of subsurface reservoirs can help reduce total greenhouse gas emissions and how this can be integrated into industry and government policy planning and strategy (SDG target 13.2). This MSc program contributes to research related to energy, energy efficiency, and advanced technology (SDG target 7.a) as part of SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

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 programme 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 programme 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.

After completing the master's degree, the candidate may be eligible for a PhD programme related to research and development technology for the earth's subsurface and other related fields.

Course assessment

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