Energy Systems Engineering
Shape your future and the future of energy in the new Energy Systems Engineering (ERSE) bachelor’s degree program at the University of Regina.
This comprehensive undergraduate program responds to the rapidly changing energy landscape and the University of Regina’s commitment to climate action. With three options to choose from, the U of R’s Energy Systems Engineering program offers you the most comprehensive energy-related curriculum available at any Canadian university. At the U of R, you can focus your energy studies and prepare for jobs that new and improving technologies will create.
One Program, Three Options
Energy Systems Engineering bachelor’s degree students can choose one of these three options, with flexibility to take courses from all areas to expand their career options:
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy Systems Engineering, Petroleum Engineering Option
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy Systems Engineering, Sustainable Energy Engineering Option
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy Systems Engineering, Energy Transportation and Storage Option
Hands-on learning with real-world experience
At the U of R, we know that learning happens best by doing. Our Centre for Experiential and Service Learning can work with you to identify your career, academic, and personal goals, while guiding you to opportunities to apply what you learn – not only in the classroom, but across campus, and in the wider community. You can gain experience in both paid and volunteer positions.
Accreditation
The new Energy Systems Engineering bachelor’s degree program will be accredited before the first students graduate in the 2026 Spring/Summer semester. The accreditation visit from the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) will happen in 2025.
Transition from Petroleum System Engineering (PSE) Undergraduate Program
The new Energy Systems Engineering Program and the current Petroleum Systems Engineering (PSE) Program will coexist until all undergraduate students admitted to the PSE program graduate. In the 2023 Fall semester, admission to the Energy Systems Engineering program will be open to second-year undergraduate students.
The Petroleum Systems Engineering Program at the graduate level will remain available to Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science students.
- Learn more about the Energy Systems Engineering program admissions process.
What is Energy Systems Engineering?
Energy Systems Engineering (ERSE) is a broad category of engineering that deals with energy production, transportation, and storage in the most efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly manner. It covers the conventional and unconventional forms of energy, including fossil fuels and sustainable energy resources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and nuclear, etc. The interdisciplinary skills developed through the program facilitate the seamless transition into the future shape of energy. Energy systems engineers take the lead on sustainability and resolve highly complex energy problems our society faces.
The three options in the University of Regina’s Energy Systems Engineering degree program are complementary to each other, and, as a whole, the program trains future engineers to be part of the transition to the future energy sector that addresses climate change. Here’s how:
- The Petroleum Engineering option contributes to the responsible extraction of underground oil and gas.
- The Sustainable Energy Engineering option focuses on developing renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and nuclear.
- The Energy Transportation and Storage option works on energy distribution, conversion, and storage systems essential for sustaining the increasing energy demands.
Energy Systems Engineering Courses
The U of R’s Energy Systems Engineering Program offers you the most comprehensive energy-related curriculum in any Canadian university. From learning about well testing and designing process equipment for oil and gas, to understanding hydro and solar energy systems, the U of R Energy Systems Engineering program is broad. Here are the core courses for each option:
Petroleum Engineering Core Courses
- Introduction to Energy Resources
- Fundamentals of Fluid Flow in Porous Media
- Fundamentals of Energy Process
- Applied Reservoir Engineering
- Drilling Engineering
- Enhanced Oil Recovery
- Well Logging
- Production Engineering
- Well Testing
Sustainable Energy Engineering Core Courses
- Introduction to Energy Resources
- Fundamentals of Fluid Flow in Porous Media
- Fundamentals of Energy Process
- Energy Storage and Conversion
- Fundamentals of Geothermal Engineering
- Machine Learning for Energy Systems
- Aerodynamics and Wind Energy
- Solar Energy: Fundamental and Technologies
- Nuclear Energy Engineering
Energy Transportation and Storage Engineering Core Courses
- Introduction to Energy Resources
- Fundamentals of Fluid Flow in Porous Media
- Fundamentals of Energy Process
- Energy Storage and Conversion
- Pipeline Integrity and Management
- Machine Learning for Energy Systems
- Piping Materials and Failure
- Process Equipment and Pressure Vessel Design
- Pipeline Engineering and Design
Quick Facts
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Energy Systems Engineering Meet Your Faculty
Why study Energy Systems Engineering at the University of Regina?
The Energy Systems Engineering program at the U of R offers the most comprehensive energy-related curriculum at any Canadian university. Three streams will give you the flexibility to shape your career. Graduates will be ready to take on roles in the changing national and international energy field.
Innovative
While other energy programs mainly focus on sustainable energy engineering with limited additions of energy storage courses, the U of R Energy Systems Engineering program offers three options simultaneously: Petroleum Engineering, Sustainable Energy Engineering, and Energy Transportation and Storage.
Flexible and Career-focused
The program allows students to switch among the three options flexibly, or graduate with skills in more than one discipline. This prepares you to be more competitive in the continuously changing energy job market. For instance, if you choose the Petroleum Engineering option, after completing your mandatory courses, you can take courses in sustainable energy or energy transportation and storage as electives.
Hands-on Learning and Real-world Work Experience
Our Centre for Experiential and Service Learning is here to work with you to identify your career, academic, and personal goals, while guiding you to opportunities to apply what you learn – not only in the classroom, but across campus, and in the wider community. You can gain experience in both paid and volunteer positions.
Co-op Education and Internships, High-paying Careers
As an Energy Systems Engineering student, you can earn between $8,000 and $13,000 per semester at a co-op work placement while gaining valuable real-world experience. Graduate with a co-op designation and potentially make $127, 845 per year (based on 2022 APEGS Salary Survey Summary Results).Dedicated Instructors and Labs
In the U of R’s Energy Systems Engineering program, you’ll use cutting edge-equipment and devices in our hands-on teaching and research laboratories while making close connections with dedicated instructors.
Energy Systems Engineering Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Here are some of the scholarships we offer to Energy Systems Engineering students:
- Petroleum Systems Engineering Award
- Harald Liebe UG Scholarship
- Crescent Point Scholarship
Our professors also give students intern opportunities in their research lab. In addition, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science provides a myriad of undergraduate awards, bursaries, scholarships and prizes to all engineering students.
Use our online Student Awards Management System (SAMS) to find other awards and scholarships for which you may be eligible. Check out additional options to fund your education.
Yes! UR International supports students pursuing outbound mobility that encompasses:
- Regular study abroad exchange programs.
- Short-term programs abroad.
- International practicum, internship, and fieldwork placements.
- Faculty-led study tours or short-term programs abroad.
- Faculty approved international conferences or consortium.
There is a wide variety of networking opportunities for students with industry and academic professionals including:
- Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) conferences, workshops, forums and symposiums
- SPE South Saskatchewan Section Distinguished Lecture
- Williston Basin Petroleum Conference
- World Heavy Oil Congress
- Seminars by the Fulbright professors and other visiting scholars
- Regina Engineering Students Society (RESS)
There are also numerous clubs and activities open to all U of R students.
Energy systems engineering graduates can seek engineer jobs in oil and gas industries and other energy related industries, such as Suncor Energy, Cenovus Energy, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Resources Limited, Natural Resources Canada, Government of Saskatchewan, Crescent Point, City of Regina, SaskPower, SaskEnergy, Saskatchewan Research Council, Petroleum Technology Research Centre.
- The Petroleum Engineering option focuses on responsible extraction of underground oil and gas.
- The Sustainable Energy Engineering option focuses on developing and enhancing clean energy technology.
- The Energy Transportation and Storage option focuses on knowledge and skills for safe, clean and energy-efficient transportation and storage.
Yes, you can apply to become a member of the Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS).
Admission for PSE program at the undergraduate level will be suspended as of the Fall 2022 semester (September 2022/Semester 202230). High school students and undergraduate students transferring in from other faculties or outside the University will be accepted into the first-year engineering general program and then transfer to the ERSE program as of the Fall 2023 semester (September 2023/Semester 202330).
The PSE and ERSE programs will coexist until the last group of undergraduate students originally admitted to the PSE program graduate. In the Fall 2023 semester, admission to the ERSE program will be opened to the second-year undergraduate students.
Energy Systems Engineering Program Concepts and Goals
Energy Systems Engineering (ERSE) is a broad category of engineering that deals with energy production, transportation, and storage in the most efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly manner. It covers conventional and unconventional forms of energy, including fossil fuels and sustainable energy resources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and nuclear. Energy systems engineering students at the U of R can develop skills across all areas and graduate prepared to be part of the transition into the future shape of energy.
Meeting the Energy Demand
Students graduating from the Energy Systems Engineering program will fill the job demand that new and improving energy technologies create in the oil and gas industry, sustainable and renewable energy sector as well as the energy transportation and storage field.
Cultivating Future Engineers
Our goal is to be the principal supplier of competent much-needed engineers to the national and international energy industry. Our graduates will help lead and define the transition into the future shape of energy.
Taking Climate Action
The Energy Systems Engineering program reflects the U of R’s commitment to climate action through development and research initiatives, as well as ecological and economic sustainability through responsive stewardship of the land and resources.
Energy Systems Engineering Program Options
Petroleum Engineering Option
Petroleum Systems Engineering analyzes, designs, and manages technologies in evaluating reserves, surface collection, and treatment facilities for oil and gas. Advanced computer utilization and automation combined with effective communications skills are integrated within the program. Techniques developed for the recovery of petroleum can be applied to the extraction of other important minerals. Petroleum System Engineers also contribute to activities such as pollution remediation and greenhouse gases control.
Sustainable Energy Engineering Option
The Sustainable Energy Engineering option introduces the technologies that are committed to climate action by developing renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and nuclear, etc. Sustainable energy systems generate, convert, distribute, store, and utilize energy in exhaustibly mitigating greenhouse gases emissions. The curriculum provides fundamental knowledge and hands-on experiences in designing, developing, and managing sustainable energy systems.
Energy Transportation and Storage Option
The Energy Transportation and Storage option focus on knowledge development in energy distribution, conversion, and storage systems essential for sustaining the increasing energy demands. It includes piping engineering design and materials, pipeline integrity management, pressure vessel design, and energy conversion and storage materials. Machine learning for energy systems supported by advanced computer utilization and automation is integrated within the curriculum.
What can you do with an Energy Systems Engineering degree?
To explore minors that may be available in this program area, please visit the Academic Calendar or meet with your faculty advisor in the Academic Advising Office after you are admitted.
Your bachelor’s degree in energy systems engineering will prepare you for a career in the changing energy sector. Here are careers that our graduates will be prepared for in each of the three options:
- Drilling engineer (Petroleum Engineering career)
- Reservoir engineer (Petroleum Engineering career)
- Production engineer (Petroleum Engineering career)
- Stimulation engineer (Petroleum Engineering career)
- Energy systems engineer (Sustainable Energy Engineering career)
- Renewable energy project engineer (Sustainable Energy Engineering career)
- Clean energy marketing analyst (Sustainable Energy Engineering career)
- Sustainability engineer (Sustainable Energy Engineering career)
- Transportation engineer (Energy Transportation and Storage career)
- Pipeline project engineer (Energy Transportation and Storage career)
- Energy storage system analyst (Energy Transportation and Storage career)
- Process engineer (Energy Transportation and Storage career)
