SULTAN QABOOS UNIVERSITY
Department of Earth Science
2016-2017
Postgraduate Study in
Petroleum Geosciences (MSc)
Earth Sciences (PhD)
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW AND STRUCTURE
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT
The Department of Earth Sciences offers PhD degree in Earth Sciences and MSc degree in
Petroleum Geosciences.
1. An undergraduate degree from a recognized university or equivalent
institution.
2. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4-point scale (B average or Very
Good) or equivalent grade.
3. Relevant work experience and any other activities beyond the first
degree that might be considered for those with GPA between 2.50 and
2.74 on a 4-point scale or equivalent to assess the applicant’s potential
to perform well at a higher level.
4. English proficiency test result or certificate with a score of at least
550 in TOEFL or higher or 6.0 in academic IELTS.
The PhD programme is by research for up to four years (FULL TIME ONLY) in various
fields of geology including petroleum geology, sedimentology, diagenesis and reservoir
quality, sequence stratigraphy, structure geology, geochemistry and mineralogy,
economic geology, hydrology and remote sensing.
The MSc programme is by course work and research and is available as full- and parttime in Petroleum Geosciences. It spans over a period of two years for full-time and up to
three years for part-time students. There are two semesters per year; Fall and Spring. Fall
semester starts in September and ends in January whereas spring semester starts in
February and ends in May each year. The MSc degree programme consists of eight taught
courses; four cores and four electives (equivalent to 24 credit hours) followed by an
independent research project (thesis).
The Core Courses (3 Credit each; Compulsory)
ERSC 6101 Petroleum System Analysis
ERSC 6102 Wireline Analysis
ERSC 6103 Seismic Interpretation
ERSC 6104 Reservoir Sedimentology and Basin Analysis
The Elective Courses (3 Credit each; Select Four Courses)
ERSC 6001 Geological Data Treatment
ERSC 6105 Exploration Techniques
ERSC 6106 Reservoir Structural Analysis using Outcrop Data
ERSC 6107 Stratigraphic Reservoir Analysis using Outcrop Data
ERSC 6108 Integrated Subsurface and Surface Analysis
ERSC 6015 Palynology: Principles and Applications
ERSC 6801 GIS and Remote Sensing
ERSC 6109 Reservoir Quality
ERSC 6110 Petroleum Geology of the Middle East
ERSC 6819 Selected Topics in Geosciences
The Research Project (MSc Thesis)
The thesis (ERSC 7001) is an independent study carried out over one academic year for
both full- and part-time students. The research project may be carried out in
collaboration with the petroleum industry, government ministries and also as
independent research based on field data. If the student has an industrial sponsor, the
thesis can also be carried out in collaboration with the sponsor. The thesis writing and
examination are evaluated as pass or fail.
Course
Part Time
Years
Semesters
Courses
I
Fall
ERSC6101
Elective
Spring
ERSC6102
Elective
Fall
ERSC6103
Elective
Spring
ERSC6104
Elective
1. Use the online postgraduate system to submit your application
(https://pas.squ.edu.om).
2. Degree Certificate
3. Official Transcript
4. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
5. Passport Copy
6. Identification card or residence card
7. Personal photo, with blue or white background
8. English proficiency test certificate (can be submitted later)
9. Release or no-objection letter (can be submitted later)
10. Provide proof of financial support
11. A statement on the objectives and goals of the research proposed for
the doctoral (PhD) programme.
12. Three letters of reference, at least two from academics, to show
competence in the discipline of interest and research capabilities for
the doctoral (PhD) programme.
SCHOLARSHIPS
In addition to the core and elective courses, Philosophy of Science (SCIE 6002) course is
an extra course required course by the College of Science. This course will be delivered
during the first or second semester and is evaluated as pass or fail.
Full Time
Year
Semester
HOW TO APPLY
II
Fall Spring
ERSC7001
Various scholarships are available from Shell Oman (2 MSc and 2 PhDs to
Omani applicants), Tethys Oil Company (1 MSc to Omani applicants), CGG
(1 MSc; exemption of tuition fees to Omani applicant), and SQU (MSc and
PhD to Omani and international applicants). For more information, you
may visit (http://www.squ.edu.om/ps/Fees-and-Scholarships)
Or contact postgraduate coordinator at the Department of Earth Science.
TUITION FEES (OMANI RIYALS)
Degree
Nationality
Application Fees
Fees Per Credit
Hour
Thesis Fees
Omani
10
-
PhD
Non-Omani
10
MSc
Omani
Non-Omani
10
10
-
90
120
5000
7000
840
1200
TOTAL FEES 5000
7000
3000
4000
All Fees are in Omani Rials (1 OMR = 2.60 US Dollars) and the total fees are exclusive
of the non-refundable application fees. The total fees are for the whole degree
duration.
KEY DATES
I
Fall
ERSC6101
ERSC6103
II
Spring
ERSC6102
ERSC6104
Fall
Elective
Elective
Spring
Elective
Elective
Fall
III
Spring
ERSC7001
Application Starts
12 January 2016
Application Deadline
12 March 2016
Interview
Successful Students are Announced on
Study Starts
For more information please contact:
Dr. Mohamed El-Ghali
Postgraduate Coordinator
Department of Earth Science
Phone: ++ 968-24146852; Email melghali@squ.edu.om
April 2016
May 2016
September 2016
Postgraduate Program College of Science
http://www.squ.edu.om/ps/Science-programs
Deanship office of Postgraduate:
http://www.squ.edu.om/ps/