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Program Constituencies
The Petroleum Engineering Program is very fortunate in receiving input
and feedback from a wide and important range of constituencies for
continuous improvement. The significant constituencies are described as
follows:
- a) Students -the most important constituent. Without
exception, students evaluate all courses at the end of the semester. The
department and faculty utilizes the students' input on course effectives,
quality of instruction and their suggestions for improvements. Each faculty
member and the program Department Head review each student's response and
the responses are incorporated into the feedback loops and the annual
faculty evaluation for continuous improvement. The Department Head, by
virtue of his open door policy, encourages and receives comments from
students. All graduating seniors complete survey questionnaire for feedback
on their experience, not only in petroleum engineering, but on all other
campus matters whether they be educational or non-educational. All
graduating seniors also go through a one-on-one exit interview for further
in-depth feedback.
- b) Faculty- The professors in the program form a critical
constituency. Each professor holds a unique background of industrial
experience. This aspect holds true with professional societies as well
as with the industry and industrialist. The department holds frequent
faculty meetings. The Department Head discusses and disseminates
relevant information affecting the academic process, and faculty have
ample opportunity to provide input, feedback and suggestions. The
program highly encourages students to register as professional
engineers.
- c) Industry and Government Agencies- The Program has long and
historical roots within the petroleum industry. Industry representatives
and recruiters provide input and feedback to the program through
recruiting sessions and technical presentations that they conduct
numerous times each semester on campus. The program is also a
beneficiary of financial support, data, and field trip arrangements that
many companies provide to the department and to the students. The
department, during each year, assists the industry with consulting (in
many cases free of charge), technical services, and continuing education
opportunities for industry professionals. Naturally, it is very logical
for the program to utilize industry as a constituent.
- d) Advisory Council. The program has an extremely dedicated,
diverse, and active advisory council. The council is composed of top
level management and technical individuals within the petroleum
industry. They meet a least twice a year to review issues affecting the
program. The council meets with students, faculty, and administrators to
provide input and feedback to the program, the College of Engineering
and the University. Reports and minutes of the advisory council are
available to the ABET on-site visitor during the review period.
- e) Alumni- The Program, in its nearly 45 years of existence, has
provided nearly 700 graduates who serve in the industry worldwide. Many
of the graduates serve on the advisory council, as recruiters and
industry representatives, officers, or board members of SPE and other
professional organizations, and in governmental agencies. They routinely
provide input and feedback to the program.
- f) Professional Organizations- The program has strong ties with
several petroleum industry related professional organizations such as
the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the American Petroleum
Institute (API), the American Association of Drilling Engineers (AADE),
and the Society of Professional Well Log Analysis. All faculty are
members of these organizations. The majority of the faculty members
serve as officers of the local chapter and/or the National Board of
Directors of these organizations. We have almost daily contact and
interactions with these organizations, which have provided the program
with a wealth of input, data, and feedback. Faculty and students attend
the monthly meetings and other events that these organizations hold. The
program highly encourages early and as often as possible interaction of
students with these groups. Our students and the program derive great
benefit from this association.
- g) Government Agencies- Health, safety, and environmental issues
have proliferated the petroleum industry to the extent that many
government agencies (local, state, and federal) regulate many facets of
petroleum exploration and production. Many of our students have taken
employment with these agencies.
- h) Community- The support of the community for the program has been
a constant, even during the industry bust cycle. Faculty, through its
participation in many civic activities such as the United Way, Chamber
of Commerce, and the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, has established strong
ties with the community. Its members provide input, feedback, and
numerous assistance to the program.
Process for Reviewing Program Goals
The following are Petroleum Engineering program goals as stated earlier:
- Goal 1: Broad education
- Goal 2: Strong foundation in engineering principles and practices.
- Goal 3: Applied problem solving skills.
- Goal 4: An understanding of ethical, social, health, safety, and
environmental issues and professional responsibilities.
- Goal 5: Multi-disciplinary team skills.
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and Assessment Information |
