Course information

The MSc in Oil and Gas Innovation is a collaborative programme coordinated by the University of Aberdeen and involving Heriot Watt, Robert Gordon University, Strathclyde, and St Andrews. The degree is hosted by the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at St Andrews. Students who apply for the course at St Andrews will take three of their modules at partner institutions.

The course is aimed at technical innovators, business developers, managers or technical staff, and engineering or science graduates interested in learning how to identify and commercialise innovation opportunities for the oil and gas industry.

Highlights

• The course is run as a collaboration between five Scottish universities, providing an opportunity for you to gain from the breadth of expertise and experience across these institutions.
  
• Students learn how to analyse problems related to the oil and gas sector and apply tools and techniques to identity opportunities for innovation.
  
• Project work involves progressing an innovation from one technology readiness level further towards commercialisation.
  

Teaching format

The MSc degree requires one semester of full-time (or two semesters part-time) coursework equivalent to five compulsory modules and one optional module. The final component for the MSc is the completion of a project in oil and gas innovation.

The taught portion of the programme focuses on the innovation and commercialisation processes in the oil and gas sector and provides knowledge and understanding of a specific technical area of your choice.

Some taught modules are delivered at other university campuses or at independent work sites. Modules which are taught by partner institutions (i.e. Commercialising Innovation, Business Essentials for Innovators and Product Development) will be delivered partially via Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and partially via face-to-face teaching. Students will need to arrange their own travel and accommodation for attending modules at partner universities.

The compulsory Oil and Gas project can be carried out at the employer’s site.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, small group tutorials, one-to-one discussion and independent learning. Assessment for the taught portion is based on reports, project proposals, oral presentations and written examinations.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details about each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue.

Compulsory modules

There are four compulsory modules. Three of these modules are delivered by partner institutions; for modules held by other universities, students are taught by a mixture of VLE distance learning and short-term face-to-face teaching (for which you will need to make your own travel and accommodation arrangements).

• Commercialising Innovation (University of Aberdeen)
• Business Essentials for Innovators (University of Strathclyde)
• Product Development (University of Strathclyde)
• Project Scoping: prepares students for the innovation project by scoping a project informed by literature and market research (University of St Andrews).

Optional modules

Students take one optional module at the University of St Andrews from the following choices:

• Geochemistry: covers origin and distribution of the elements, thermodynamics, kinetics and aqueous geochemistry.
• Petroleum Exploration and Geophysics: provides a thorough understanding of the geoscience of petroleum exploration, particularly using geophysical methods, and a working knowledge of modern concepts in oil and gas geology.
• Isotope Geochemistry: Theory, Techniques, and Applications: explores the theory of isotopes and their fractionation, including kinetic, equilibrium and Rayleigh fractionation, and how isotope measurements are made. It concludes with case studies and applications.
• Geodynamics: contrasts geodynamic evolution in the Archaean, Proterozoic, Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic using a number of case studies, including examples visited in the field.
• Advanced Geochemistry: trains students in the advanced techniques and methodologies used to address fundamental and applied questions related to the functioning of the Earth system and the cycling of natural materials between fluid and solid phases.
• Biogeochemistry: examines the role of biogeochemical processes in controlling Earth surface chemistry, and their possible influence on deep Earth reservoirs. It highlights current geochemical and numerical techniques used to constrain these interactions in both modern and ancient (rock record) systems.

The modules listed ran in the academic year 2015-2016 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2016 entry.

Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

Project

Throughout the year, but with particular focus in the final months of the course, students will conduct a research project in oil and gas innovation in which they further an innovative concept from one technology readiness level to commercialisation.

Students work closely with an academic supervisor and, in most cases, an industry expert.

Students present the results of their project as an oral presentation and in a report of no more than 25,000 words. Students will also be examined on their project results through a vive examination.

If students choose not to complete the project requirement for the MSc, there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.

Conferences and events

The Department of Earth and Environmental Science hold monthly DEES Seminars with expert guest speakers from the UK and abroad.

---

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).