When you click on a sponsoring school or program advertised on our site, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
Dr. Soheil Saraji is department head and associate professor of energy and petroleum engineering at the University of Wyoming, where he holds the LeNorman Endowed Leadership Chair and the Richard and Marilyn Lynch Chair in Subsurface Energy and Digital Innovation. He teaches a course in fundamentals of enhanced oil recovery and a course in blockchain in energy.
Dr. Saraji has over a decade of experience in subsurface energy systems. His work focuses on enhanced energy recovery, underground energy storage, and carbon management, integrating experimental research with data-driven and emerging digital approaches to better understand and optimize complex subsurface processes. He earned his MS in petroleum engineering from Sharif University of Technology and his PhD in petroleum engineering from the University of Wyoming.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What makes Wyoming special when it comes to engineering?
Dr. Saraji: Wyoming is an energy state and a resources state, with a historically large oil and gas operation. Of course, it’s not as big as Texas, but the population of Wyoming is pretty low. We were the first exporter of energy on the gigawatt per hour basis in the entire United States. We have several oil and gas operations, and Wyoming coal is also some of the cleanest coal, offering the best value for what it produces.
What makes our program at the University of Wyoming unique is that we have this rare combination of both engineering fundamentals and access to these real-world energy systems. We have a lot of good engagement with oil and gas operators in Wyoming, and our students get to go do field visits, work with them, and sometimes do internships. It’s a unique and integrated system: you learn a theory, but immediately have opportunities to apply that theory.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: Do you have any advice for young engineers planning their education or career?
Dr. Saraji: The one thing you cannot skip is the fundamentals. Build very strong foundational engineering skills. Typically, the first two years of your undergraduate degree are mostly general engineering courses, and the last two years you work on a specific engineering area. That is non-negotiable; it has to happen.
But you can’t stop there, because we are dealing with an evolving world. And in this world, data matters, computation matters, and interdisciplinary thinking matters. So while you’re learning fundamentals, always be on the lookout for learning a new emerging area. AI is going to impact every single industry in the next decade or two. You need to learn about AI. You need to learn about interdisciplinary thinking. You need to keep your mind open to all these adjacent areas that you can expand into.
Finally, do as much as you can to get involved in hands-on experience, whether it is going out into the field, doing an internship, or working with a company. Always go beyond theory and get hands-on experience. That’s very important.
Although there are no hybrid or online bachelor’s degrees in engineering offered in Wyoming, there are two programs offered in nearby states which admit students from the state.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Dakota State University
Dakota State University offers an online bachelor of science in computer science that can be completed entirely online. Housed within the university’s Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences, the curriculum is linked to software engineering, with an emphasis in programming, algorithmic thinking, and problem solving. Courses include object-oriented design; data structures; assembly language; software engineering; language processing. The program consists of 120 credits.
Multiple – University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota offers multiple bachelor’s level online engineering programs. Students may choose between a focus in aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, cybersecurity, electrical, geological, mechanical, or petroleum engineering. Companies like 3M, Bobcat, Honda, and NASA partner with UND to allow students to work on real-world projects during their education, and most majors offer an accelerated pathway that allows students to earn a master’s in one additional year. The programs consist of between 126 and 130 credits.
There is only one online master’s degree in engineering offered in Wyoming, but there are several programs in nearby states.
Master of Engineering in Energy & Petroleum Engineering – University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming offers the state’s only truly online engineering program: an innovative master of engineering in energy and petroleum engineering. Located in one of the country’s most resource-rich states, the program provides students with unique opportunities for hands-on learning and research. Students receive one-on-one faculty access, a strong petroleum engineering foundation, and access to unrivaled Wyoming-based research facilities.
Graduates will be equipped to pursue advanced roles in drilling, reservoir, and production engineering; to lead research or innovation projects; or to move into leadership and consulting positions within the energy industry. The program consists of 30 credits.
Master of Science in Civil Engineering – University of Idaho
The University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho offers an online master of science in civil engineering through their engineering outreach program. The program emphasizes transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental and sanitary engineering, hydraulics and water resources engineering, and structural engineering and structural mechanics. Courses may include steel design, advanced concrete materials and durability, fluid dynamics, properties of highway materials, engineering properties of soils and several more. The curriculum consists of 33 credits.
Master of Science in Geological Engineering – University of Idaho
The University of Idaho also offers an online master of science in geological engineering. This program prepares students for the design and construction of civil and mining projects, the exploration and development of mineral and energy resources, and the evaluation of geological hazards. Courses include excavation and materials handling; seepage and slope stability; geostatistics; rock mechanics; erosion and sediment control; and several more. The degree consists of 30 credits.
Cadastral Surveying Certificate – University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming offers an online cadastral surveying certificate for working professionals seeking or exploring licensure. The program emphasizes boundary law, particularly as it pertains to the Western United States, and prepares students for the Fundamentals of Surveying exam. The certificate meets all requirements for the Wyoming Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors Land Surveyor in Training certification. Courses include topics such as GPS for land surveyors, basic geodesy, boundary evidence, and route surveying. The program consists of 30 credits.
When students research online engineering programs, many investigate the same basic characteristics—i.e., program availability, deadlines, school reputation, and cost. However, it is just as important to consider the ins and outs of online education. Knowing this allows students to ask the right questions as they review online engineering programs in Wyoming and surrounding states. Here are some questions to ask:
Students should also consider accreditation and state authorization before committing to an online program.
Accreditation certifies that a third-party organization has evaluated an online engineering program and confirmed that it meets the quality standards set forth by that organization. Accreditation signals quality, and that’s important, as many financial aid providers, graduate schools, and employers only consider applicants from accredited engineering schools.
It’s important to note that not all accrediting agencies carry the same weight. Students are encouraged to investigate online programs or degrees accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Programs can earn national, regional and programmatic accreditation. These are the agencies most likely to accredit online engineering schools in Wyoming:
National accreditation
Regional accreditation
Programmatic accreditation
Students in Wyoming are eligible to enroll only in online engineering programs authorized to operate in Wyoming. Also, some online engineering programs in other states may have differing tuition rates for resident and nonresident students, as well as not provide admission to nonresident students. All prospective online students should carefully examine state policies (e.g., the University of Wyoming) before applying to any programs. Students should contact program coordinators to ensure out-of-state eligibility.
College and university admission requirements can vary by school and program. Students should contact the program of interest to find out the exact requirements and deadlines.
Typical admissions requirements for online engineering programs include the following:
Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about a wide range of engineering disciplines, with a particular focus on the potential impacts of major technological breakthroughs. His work largely centers around conversations with engineeri...
After graduating from UC Berkeley, Jocelyn traveled the world for five years as an English teacher and freelance writer. After stints in England, Japan, and Brazil, she settled in San Francisco and worked as a managing editor for a tech company. She’s recently become interested in the underrepr...