<p>I will be accepted to the Petroleum Engineering or Computer Engineering (any track for now) through the TAP admissions program from Lone Star College - Cyfair. My question is what exactly do reservoir engineers do? I've done a lot of research and they seem to be somewhat "fun" but I really need some Pros and Cons between the two engineering fields, because both have sparked my interest. I would like to work with some big shot oil companies if I were to do Petroleum, I would be closer to home, because I live in Houston, so that would be good. For Computer Engineering, I would like to work for companies like Intel, AMD, Nvdia, or Apple and I might need to relocate to Austin or California. I know the two fields are really different and diverse, but if someone can help me see the Pros and Cons for both and what would look better from TAMU, that would be great. I know Petroleum Engineering undergrad is ranked #1 in the nation, and Computer isn't that highly ranked but still a strong program. I always wanted to be a computer engineer but Petroleum seems pretty good lately. One last question about Engr 111/112, coming from a community college I will be taking a class called Engr 1304 which is called Foundations of Engineering I. This class transfers into Engr 111. So my question is would I be able to go to A&M and start taking upper level classes even though I haven't finished Engr 112 or I would need to have that completed? And if I need to complete that, it would be sort of bad because I would have all of my CBK classes and all lower level classes complete. Thanks in advance!!</p>
<p>Everyones pros and cons are different. A con for me may be that by being a PE you may have to travel and be away from your family some. I know this isn’t as likely being a reservoir engineer but you still may travel. For other people this may be a pro.</p>
<p>I know this is the ME curriculum but it’s the only one I could find with the pre-reqs laid out. <a href=“Mechanical Engineering | Texas A&M University Engineering”>Mechanical Engineering | Texas A&M University Engineering; ENGR 112 doesn’t appear to be a pre-req to anything, but I think it is required to enter the upper division. I would think you could take PETE 201, COMM 205, KINE 198/199, and like Math 251 if you needed to as a way of having enough hours your first semester if you still needed to take care of 112 or something. </p>
<p>I like Austin but I’m also considering becoming a reservoir engineer.
[YouTube</a> - Reservoir Engineer at Chesapeake Energy](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIZJvjn3F68]YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>Do not do petroleum just because oil companies are the “big shots” right now. Do it because the job is interesting and you see yourself doing it above all other disciplines. The only cons a see in this field are the following:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>There is a good chance you will not be just working near home all the time. Travel opens up opportunities to advance your career, but with that comes some sacrifices.</p></li>
<li><p>There are a lot of people wanting to go into petroleum engineering. The competition for jobs will be fierce, but this is pretty much true with many disciplines right now. </p></li>
<li><p>The petroleum industry has shown in the past that it can be volatile. As the price of oil fluxuates, it affects employment/salary opportunities.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If you can accept these potential cons, then petroleum sounds like a good fit. PetE at TAMU has a better national reputation than CompE, but I do not see this as being a reason to choose one over the other. It all depends on what interest you.</p>
<p>As far as ENGR 112, I believe you must have it completed or something of an equivalent nature. The requirement to get into upper division is to have ALL CBK classes completed with a grade of C or above and 2.85 GPR. Not having ENGR 112 will make you not fit this criteria.</p>
<p>@TXaggie92 Thank you for your input! And I definitely agree that the pros & cons can be very diverse and different to each individual, but I think, I wouldn’t mind traveling a little bit. That’s why I prefer reservoir engineer over the the drilling and production engineers. Also reservoir engineers are more bound to computer analysis, well placement through computer input and optimization, more of the economical/business side then the other 2, which I find more appealing. Any other recommendation or insight would be gladly appreciated! Also are you majoring in petroleum engineering as well?</p>
<p>@Oh yeah I need to seriously see how I’ll have an equivalent Engr 112 class done by the time of transfer. I really really appreciate all your “Cons” input! I mean all of these statements seem very true. The only heavy one for me might be traveling, but if it’s not traveling for a while then it should be ok right? lol, and yeah it’s not only about the money, but I think to be a successful computer engineer I would need to relocate to Austin or California, I love Austin btw lol and it’s not far from Houston at all. I sort of actually find reservoir interesting at a certain extent. Not something to go crazy over, but something I wouldn’t mind spending my time at work doing. Petroleum engineer shouldn’t be going anywhere for another 20-50 years?? as I’ve read in many places about gas is at its peak. Any other insight would gladly be appreciated!</p>
<p>Thanks a lot guys, any input about computer engineering ? and what a life in a computer engineer is like?</p>
<p>I am not currently majoring in PE. I originally applied for mechanical engineering but that was full. As a result I chose industrial engineering which I know is a field that I do not want to pursue. It was actually probably a blessing in disguise because I started researching if I did indeed want to transfer back to mechanical or if I wanted to pursue something else. Petroleum engineering caught my interest and as of right now I intend to transfer to PE for second semester of freshman year or for my sophomore year. We will see how things go.</p>
<p>I don’t think PE’s would be out of work for another 50 or so years as well. If something drastic happens I guess I could always go back and pursue a masters in mechanical or something. I also really enjoy the “business” side of reservoir engineering as well.</p>
<p>Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm]Engineers[/url”>http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm]Engineers[/url</a>]</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>People have to be willing to relocate for a job when it is necessary. It is necessary for every single field of every single profession. So you really cannot look at this as a pro or a con. </p>
<p>Petroleum engineering is going to be viable for a long time. Without oil, our cars don’t work, our homes cannot operate, everything hinges on oil. Therefore, don’t worry about people who say oil is peaking or oil is on the decline. Nobody except the oil companies know for sure what the industry will be in the near future. If oil were anywhere near a decline, we would have many solutions for alternative energy by now. Implementation of such alt. fuels will take a long time to scale in. All this rant to say, petroleum engineering should be safe for a good long time, depending on how the prices of gas fluctuate.</p>
<p>As far as computer engineering, where you can be successful depends more on you and not the location. If you are bad at your job, it won’t matter where you work because you will not be very successful. If you are good at what you do, then you will more than likely find success wherever you are seen as a fit.</p>
<p>@aGGieENGiNeeR well said! All of this information is really leaning me towards Petroleum Engineering. One more thing if you don’t mind, what is the difficulty level of Petroleum Engineering vs, lets say Computer or Electrical Engineering? And any thoughts about what kind of oil companies come to A&M upon graduation and the Aggie Network and on campus hiring??</p>
<p>@ucla011 wow very helpful site, thnx. Pretty much explains everything in great detail.</p>
<p>@TXaggie92 Haha very nice bro, I wish you all the best in PetE!, very nice, umm how would u rate the “simulation” and “business” side of reservoir engineering though? and same question what is the difficulty level of Petroleum Engineering vs, lets say Computer or Electrical Engineering? And any thoughts about what kind oil companies come to A&M upon graduation and the Aggie Network and on campus hiring??</p>
<p>Hmm PS how rigorous is A&M’s PetE program and any recommendations and what kind of GPA companies look for, also do you guys recommend grad school? I was thinking if I do a master’s in Petroleum Engineering, I wan’t to do it at UT Austin or TAMU PetE or MBA?? Or a bachelor’s is good enough? There, got all the questions out lol, sorry for all the questions >.<!</p>
<p>I know a lot of major companies come to A&M as well as smaller independents. Job placement is over 90% so that shouldn’t be a problem. I haven’t even started my freshman year yet but will in about 3 weeks.</p>
<p>I know from being married to an Aggie Petroleum Engineer for a very long time that you need to be flexible about where you live, especially when you are learning the ropes. My husband started out with a “big shot” oil company from interviewing at A&M, but he started out in a tiny town in northwest PA (which was actually an educational and just plain fun experience) for several years before he was transferred to the gulf coast. </p>
<p>Usually the big shot companies want you to have some varied experience closer to the field (not in Houston) before you settle in to the area that interests you…Reservoir, Production, Drilling, Completion, etc…</p>
<p>Best wishes.</p>
<p>From what I’ve read, EE is considered to be one of the more difficult disciplines. However, I would not consider this a factor in your decision making because all disciplines are hard. Engineering is hard.</p>
<p>As far as companies are concerned, you do not need to worry about the job prospects because tamu has one of the best PetE programs in the nation. </p>
<p>The general consensus on gpa is a 3.0 and above. This standard will more than likely get your foot in the door for an interview at the least (depending of course on the company and type of job you are looking for).</p>
<p>@aGGieENGiNeeR
How hard is it at TAMU? Do they curve GPA’s down like at Georgia Tech? Is it possible to get close to a 4.0?</p>
<p>And would you recommend just getting a BSc or an MSc? From what I’ve heard, an MSc often makes less than a BSc, usually b/c they have less work experience. So what would you recommend? A BSc with some work experience or an MSc with little work experience? I would like an MSc, but I don’t even know if I’ll be able to afford grad school. And a lower salary won’t help.</p>
<p>You are asking the wrong person about difficulty because I’m starting this year. But here is what I have been told from other students in the department:</p>
<p>A) Engineering is hard. If you want things easier, then there are plenty of other majors that will require a lot less time and effort.</p>
<p>B) The system at TAMU is pretty standard. An A is a 90 or above, B 80-89.999999999 and so on. As far as curving GPA’s down, I do not know that information, but I do know that I have not heard any complaints about the grading system at all. </p>
<p>C) Getting close to a 4.0 in engineering would be a great accomplishment. However, go to the engineering forum and read up on people’s opinions on the issue. It is not all about the GPA. It is important, but not the only factor companies/schools look at. Yes, you need a 3.0 to have an easier time getting a job. Yes, a 3.5 is a good starting point for grad school admissions. However, will an applicant with a 4.0 trump another with a 3.85? No. At that point, there are a ton of other factors you have to consider.</p>
<p>^ I know this sounds like a stupid question (I’m still in high school, lol): What kind of other factors do I have to consider (besides internships, GPA, and GRE)?</p>
<p>Research experience, participation in school organizations, prof. recommendations, etc.</p>
<p>^ Thanks.
10 char</p>
<p>A little update guys, Besides TAP which will take another semester, I think A&M is accepting me for Spring 2011 for CompE. I would be done with Calc 3, Chem 2 and Physics 2 this upcoming fall, and will not take that Engr 111 equivalent class. I see this website shows the equivalent to both CompE and PeteE Engr 112 are the same. </p>
<p>[ESSAP</a> - Changing Majors](<a href=“http://essap.tamu.edu/change-major.htm]ESSAP”>http://essap.tamu.edu/change-major.htm)</p>
<p>So what I was wondering is how hard would it to internally transfer from CompE to A&M’s PeteE program and when can the earliest transfer take place from Spring 2011? Is Fall 2011 possible? and if so would you recommend this following schedule for Spring 2011 and what are the credit hours for 111/112?. </p>
<p>Differential Equations
Engr 111
CSCE 121 (this is the class that counts for Engr 112 for both programs!!)
Technical Communications
Physical Geology (MAYBE because will still be in CompE so it would be odd to take it for no reason for that department. However if not this maybe the Kinesiology classes)</p>
<p>I’ve heard for external transfer students they are taking close to 3.75 applicants but what about internal transfers? same? and if so what about if I get close to 3.75 A&M GPA in Spring 2011 semester. (I’ve tried getting in contact with the PeteE advisors, but they never pick up… have left a voicemail and emailed, waiting on response anxiously.)</p>