Integrated Petroleum Geosciences program at U of Alberta

[wwzzxx]

Does anyone know something about the Integrated Petroleum Geosciences program at U of Alberta? I have applied, no decision came yet... And I plan to take this one year program as a springboard to help me to interact with the professors there and re-apply for the thesis-based MSc in U of A.

 

Is it competitive?

 

Thanks...

[wwzzxx]

No one else?

[shineedores]

Why not email the program coordinator for further information?

[wwzzxx]

Why not email the program coordinator for further information?

Well, it is a good choice but I also want to know the comments which is more neutral from the former students graduating from this program. 

 

What is more, in your view, does U OF A have a good petroleum geology program?

 

Thank you.

[shineedores]

Well, it is a good choice but I also want to know the comments which is more neutral from the former students graduating from this program. 

 

What is more, in your view, does U OF A have a good petroleum geology program?

 

Thank you.

U Alberta is good but I don't know much about the IPG program.

[Bungalo_BoB]

On 2/24/2018 at 1:37 PM, Shibby_Boss said:

I am a Graduate of the IPG program at the U of A.

This is my take on the program - Both the course material and quality of professors is very good (imo). However,  the program fails to actually get its graduates into industry, which is the primary reason students enroll in a program which is advertised as an industry program, is it not?

Oil & gas companies hire through student internships and not through graduate positions meaning once you graduate it is extremely difficult to get into a company without an internship as a student. Out of a class of approximately 24 students, only 3 IPG Graduates gained internships - leaving the remaining 21 with no internship or access to these companies. We did graduate in 2015 when the Oil & Gas prices collapsed; However, there has since been no effort from the IPG program to get its graduates in contact with industry or companies. Many of my classmates have moved onto other fields - Some as geologists in other industries while others changed careers altogether.

I personally would not take this program again if I could go back in time. If there is another oil downturn odds are you will be left behind and the program director will make no effort to connect his graduates with industry despite advertising the opposite to prospective students. The only effort the program director made during the downturn was to increase enrollment rates which makes no logical sense when the graduation class before, only 3/24 students obtained internships.

The director of the program is more concerned about enrollment rates rather than the success of its graduates.  You are better off taking actual MSc research masters as it will give you more time to apply for internships (2-3 years rather than 1) and more time to network. 
 

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