The University of Houston is preparing to launch the first subsea engineering graduate programme to have been developed in the US.
The purpose is to teach the scientific and technical skills necessary to create the first American generation of formally-trained subsea engineering specialists.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recently approved UH’s proposal and the plan is to launch the first course starting autumn next year. Cameron, FMC and GE Oil & Gas have already made significant input to planning the new Master’s.
Formed in partnership with a number of the world’s leading energy engineering companies, the Houston Subsea Master’s will include classroom lectures and hands-on software education for subsea systems design. Courses will be taught by recognised experts in the industry.
Houston already runs a “certificate programme” in subsea engineering. This was started last year in response to the oil industry’s increasing need for these skilled engineers.
It too was the first of its kind in the US. Subsea engineering typically has not been considered a distinct discipline by Americans, until now that is.
The Subsea Master’s will dovetail into Houston’s growing petroleum engineering offering which, two years ago, established an undergraduate degree programme in addition to its graduate curriculum.