Introduction

The Department of Natural Resources Engineering and Management is the first in kind in the region and the country. The curriculum of the department is designed to provide a strong foundation in the basic sciences, geosciences, basic engineering sciences and mathematics in addition to specialized upper level instruction to meet different specialization and careers paths by students.

In this initial stage, the curriculum of the department is designed in a way that three tracks or fields of interests could be followed with different upper division requirements. All three tracks are identical (except for few courses) in the first two years as students study the basic science courses. In the third and forth years those students pursuing tracks or careers in petroleum engineering, hydrology and mineral deposits (economic geology) would focus their study on their chosen special fields. The graduates of each track of the department will gain a fundamental understanding of their chosen field, acquire the basic skills and experiences required to become an effective member of their profession. Laboratory works and summer field works are equally essential parts of the curriculum of the department.

 

The Department Aims:

Vision:

To be recognized by other universities, technical institutes and relevant industries in the region as a highly regarded department that offers programs of excellence in teaching and research.

Mission:

To educate well qualified engineers and baccalaureate in petroleum engineering, water resources engineering and mineral resources engineering that are prepared for entry level positions in their relevant industry. To train future leaders of natural resources development and become capable professionals in their fields.

 

To achieve the vision and the mission of the university the department is proposing to administer three closely related disciplines in natural resources. The curriculum of the department leads the graduates of the department to BSc Petroleum Engineering, BSc in Hydrology (Water Resources Engineering) and BSc in Mineral Resources Engineering.

Petroleum Engineering
The petroleum engineering track will focus on the geology of hydrocarbon deposits, exploration for petroleum reservoirs, feasibility studies, drilling, well completion and simulation, reservoir characterization, production, monitoring fluid recovery, and the management of oil fields. All disciplines within the field of petroleum engineering are covered in the classrooms and laboratories. The proximity of the university to oil fields in the region offers unique opportunities to the students and the department for hands-on involvement with the industry, including field operations. UKH has already established proactive working relationships with various oil companies active in the region, as well as the Ministry of Natural Resources, having cooperated with them on several projects.

Objectives
1. To educate a petroleum engineer who is capable of working as a drilling, completion, production, and reservoir engineer.
2. To educate a competent graduate to synthesize and analyze open-ended problems and design solutions for petroleum engineering systems.
3. Graduates are able functioning in multi-disciplinary teams and integrate information and data from multiple sources.

 

Water Resources Engineering

The Water Resources Engineering track offers study in fundamental hydrologic science and applied hydrology with engineering applications. The program will focus on the scientific study of the occurrence, circulation, chemical and physical properties, and environmental interaction of surface and ground waters. Instruction includes geophysics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, physical chemistry, geomorphology, hydrological analysis, hydrochemistry, and environmental science. Graduates of this track are encouraged to continue their study to postgraduate program in hydrology in order to receive capstone instructions and training in this field.

 

Objectives
1. To provide foundation in physical, chemical, geological and mathematical background as a basis for understanding the hydrologic cycle.
2. To prepare graduates address hydrologic, geohydrologic and environmental geology issues in their professional carriers.
3. To prepare graduate for postgraduate study in hydrologic sciences.

 

Mineral Resources Engineering

The mineral deposit track is designed to accommodate working professionals in the mineral industry. The focus of the curriculum is to study physical and chemical processes in order to understand the origin and distribution of minerals and ore deposits. Study of geological settings, stratigraphic and structural controls, conditions of depositional environment of mineral deposition and concentration, geologic mapping, mineral exploration, feasibility studies of prospects, development and production techniques of ore deposits will be covered in classrooms and field exercises. Instruction includes mineralogy, petrology, petrography, structural geology, stratigraphy, geophysics, geochemistry, ore deposits and fundamentals of mining engineering. Field and laboratory works will be essential parts of the curriculum.

 

Objectives
1. To describe the characteristic geological, mineralogical and chemical features of ore deposits.
2. To place emphasis on understanding of the various hydrothermal and magmatic processes that contributes to the genesis of ore deposits.
3. To provide training in calculation of ore reserves.
4. To introduce various laboratory techniques that are used to evaluate the physiochemical conditions of ore formation and deposition.

 

Student Support

In addition to teaching and conducting laboratory experiments by academic staff, students will be attending field trips and would observe ongoing projects (drilling, mining, dam and canal construction, etc.) by operating companies in the region and projects conducted by Ministries of Natural Resources and Water Resources Engineering.

 

Careers

Petroleum Engineering

Outcomes (after graduation)
1. The ability to apply knowledge of engineering, math and science to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems
2. The ability to design, conduct experiments and analyze and interpret data.
3. The graduate ability of critical thinking and reasoning as part of their professional skills.

The graduates of this field are capable of working as drilling, completion and reservoir engineers in oil companies or governmental agencies.

 

 

Water Resources Engineering

Outcomes (after graduation)
1. Graduates have successfully completed, all required geosciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics and engineering courses in order to enter postgraduate program in hydrologic sciences.
2. Graduates are competent for entry level professional career in their field.

Graduates of this field are competent entering professional careers in government agencies dealing with water resources, agriculture, municipal projects and companies that are operating natural resources developments such as oil companies, civil engineering companies, food resources companies, etc.

 

 

Mineral Resources Engineering

Outcomes (after graduation)
1. Be able to fully understand geological processes that are governing mineral deposition and exploration.
2. Have a sound understanding of factors governing the transport and deposition of different metals and minerals by hydrothermal fluids and other geological processes.
3. Know the depositional environment, mineralogy, chemistry, and geological setting of important types of ore deposits.
4. Be able to integrate ideas, concepts and information from all geological and related fields to develop and implement exploration programs for mineral deposits.

Graduates of this field would be competent professional to work in mining companies, geological surveys of government agencies, environmental companies, etc.

 

Academic Staff:

Khosrow Bazrafshan 

Acting Head of Department of Natural Resources and Science Management

PH.D. in Geochemistry, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, May 1989

MS in Economic Geology, Wichita State University, May 1982

BS in Geology, University of Azarabadegan, May 1974

Dr. Bazrafshan has taught geosciences petroleum, geochemistry, mineral deposit and ore geochemistry for seven years and worked as professional in mineral development industry in several mining companies and groundwater exploration and analysis in several projects such as dam site investigation and water sources development for fifteen years.

 

Contact information for the department and staff:

Acting Head, Dr. Khosrow Bazrafshan

Ext. 1053

Mobile: 00964 (0)750 756 7362

Email: k.bazrafshan@ukh.ac

Mailing Address: UKH

Department of Natural Resources

30 M

Erbil, Federal Region of Kurdistan, Iraq

Saima Jadoon
MSc. BS

Saima Jadoon recently joined University of Kurdistan Hewler. She got her MS and BS in Chemistry from University of Baluchistan, Pakistan. During her academic carrier, she has published thirteen research papers in different International Journals of science and chemistry. She has recently co-authored a book on Basic Photochemistry. She has also completed number of projects on water chemistry, Chemiluminescence system. She is currently teaching chem001 to Access year II students at University of Kurdistan Hewler.



Contact
Email: s.jadoon@ukh.ac