Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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Program overview
Ambitious students looking to make their mark should consider a Chemical and Petroleum Engineering degree. Under the research-based program, students are expected to grow their skills as they produce a significant original contribution to fundamental engineering knowledge. This degree is generally a requirement for a career in academia or government/industrial research. A PhD can also be a first step toward a chief scientific officer (CSO) position.
Specializations
- Chemical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Energy and Environment (Interdisciplinary)
- Environmental Engineering (Interdisciplinary)
- Energy and Environmental Systems (Interdisciplinary)
Outcomes and next steps
Oil and gas, medicine, education, government sector, research and consulting. Process engineer, petroleum reservoir engineer, petroleum production engineer, environmental engineer, software development, documentation for chemical process/petroleum reservoir simulation software, sales.
A PhD in chemical and petroleum engineering is usually considered a final degree.
Degree at a glance
Completion requirements
Thesis-based
Courses
Three to six courses, depending on specialization
Program requirements
Class delivery
Classroom
Commitment
Four year full-time; six years maximum
Supervisor
A supervisor is required, and must agree to oversee the student's research before admission will be granted
Fees and funding
Flat annual fee; guaranteed funding
Related programs
If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.

Supervisors
A supervisor is required for this program. The supervisor must agree to oversee the student's research prior to admission.
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Anne Benneker
- Enhanced transport
- Microfluidics
accepting inquiries
Arindom Sen
- Biochemical Engineering
accepting inquiries
Ayodeji Jeje
- Hydrodynamic instability; suspension flows & filtration; biorheology; interfacial phenomena; heat transfer; biomedical engineering
accepting inquiries
Brij Maini
- Improved Heavy Oil and Bitumen Recovery Processes
accepting inquiries
Edward Roberts
- Electrochemical technology for water treatment and energy storage
unavailable
Hector De la Hoz Siegler
- Bioprocess development and optimization
- Biofuels
- Carbon capture and utilization
accepting inquiries
Additional supervisors may be available. Contact the Your Program of Interest for more information.

Completion requirements
Courses (excluding Petroleum Engineering)
Topics may include mass transfer, chemical reactor design, heat transfer, fluid mechanics and more.
Professional Development Courses
Students take two professional development courses on communication styles, presentation skills and more.
Candidacy
Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.
Petroleum Engineering
Core courses include Reservoir Simulation, Secondary and Tertiary Recovering, Thermal Recovery Methods and more.
Doctoral Courses
Students complete Experimental Design and Error Analysis and Advanced Mathematical Methods in Engineering prior to candidacy.
Thesis
Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

Admission requirements and information
Requirements for the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Program
GPA
A minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the graduate degree.Minimum education
An MSc degree or equivalent.Work samples
NoneDocuments
- Two official copies of your final official transcripts and degree certificates (if degree is not clearly stated on transcripts) in signed sealed envelopes from institution attended. These documents may be sent to us directly from the institution or you can have the documents mailed to yourself and then mail them to us. We do not considered open official transcripts as official.
- Statement of Interest (not mandatory)
- C.V. (not mandatory)
Reference letter
TwoTest scores
NoneEnglish language proficiency
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- TOEFL score of 86 with no section less than 20 (Internet-based). Our institution code is 0813
- IELTS score of 6.5 with no section less than 6.0 (Academic version)
- Tier 3 of the International Foundations Program with minimum grades of B,C,C (Writing & Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension & Oral Fluency)
Deadlines
For admission on September 1
Canadian and permanent residentJuly 15 Application deadline
InternationalMarch 15 Application deadline
For admission on January 1
Canadian and permanent residentNov. 15 Application deadline
InternationalJuly 15 Application deadline
For admission on May 1
Canadian and permanent residentMarch 15 Application deadline
InternationalNov. 15 Application deadline
If you’re not a Canadian or permanent resident or if you have international credentials make sure to read and learn about international specific requirements

Tuition fees and funding
All graduate students must pay general fees each year, as well as program fees.
Fees
Estimate for full-time students
Canadian and
permanent resident
International
student
General fees
12 months of study
$1,843 CAD
$1,843 CAD
Program fees
First 12 months of study
$5,593 CAD
$12,695 CAD
Total fees
For first year of studies
$7,436 CAD
$14,538 CAD
What are annual continuing fees?
Domestic Continuing Fees: $1,627 CAD
International Continuing fees: $3,693 CAD
Continuing fees apply in the first term following completion of candidacy requirements.
Funding availability
The supervisor, an institution or government can provide Funding. Students cannot be self-funded for this program. Funding amounts vary by supervisor; the minimum support is $21,000 CDN per year.
Fees listed here are estimates only, and have been rounded to the nearest dollar. These amounts should not be considered accurate. All amounts are in Canadian Dollars.
Fees are subject to change.
For more details and the most accurate information go to the Academic Calendar
For more general information, see our Fees and Funding Guide
Highlights of the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Program
Learn more about this program
Schulich School of Engineering
Canadian Natural Resources Limited Engineering Complex
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.5732
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering - Graduate Studies
Schulich School of Engineering
ENB 202, 2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.210.7016
Go to our contact page and connect with the right person to answer any questions you might have