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Value of an Undergraduate Certificate

Are you interested in enhancing your studies with an undergraduate certificate? In addition to major areas of study, UTSA offers a variety of programs that provide valuable contributions to students' academic careers. While pursuing a certificate, students have the opportunity to explore personal interests and passions outside of their major program or complement their current major, helping them further stand out in the job market.

Why Pursue a Certificate in Oil and Gas?

Oil and Gas is critical in energy sources required in providing electricity; heating and cooling requirements for houses and business facilities.  It is also essential for providing power requirements of such transportation systems as cars, busses, trains, and air crafts. UTSA’s certificate in Oil and Gas certifies to employers that students awarded the certificate have completed coursework essential to Oil/Gas industry.

Apply Certificate Courses to Your Degree

One of the added benefits of the Certificate in Oil and Gas is the ability to apply courses from this program to the BS in Mechanical Engineering*. Depending on program requirements, and with approval of the undergraduate advisor of record, you may be able to apply coursework taken for this certificate directly to your major area of study.

*This certificate is directed towards students earning a BS in Mechanical Engineering degree, but is open to engineering students pursuing a degree in similar disciplines.

Adding a Certificate


Add On to Your Major - recommended path
Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program and looking to enhance your degree with an undergraduate certificate? Contact the Certificate Program Advisor listed below, and request permission to enter into the program. Approval to enter into a certificate program must be granted by the Certificate Program Advisor and the Dean of the college in which the certificate program is housed.

Non-Degree Seeking Student
Not currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at UTSA but interested in an undergraduate certificate program? You can apply as a non-degree seeking student. Prospective students must apply for admission to UTSA as non degree seeking and indicate on their application their interest in an undergraduate certificate. Prospective students are required to meet UTSA's admission requirements for special students at the undergraduate level. Once admitted, students can contact the Certificate Program Advisor listed below, and request permission to enter into their desired program. Approval to enter into a certificate program must be granted by the Certificate Program Advisor and the Dean of the college in which the certificate program is housed.

Academic & Professional Organizations

Students are encouraged to join and be active in the UTSA student chapter and the professional chapters of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) or American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

This certificate requires a total of 15 credit hours from the following:

Required course: 3 hours

  • Machine Element Design

Students can select 9-12 hours from the following elective courses:

  • Mechanical Vibration
  • Thermal Systems Design
  • Separation Processes
  • Alternative Energy Sources
  • Pressure Vessel and Piping Design
  • Oil & Gas Energy & Reservoir Geomechanics
  • Corrosion Engineering

If only 3 courses are selected above, then an additional 3 semester credit hours must be completed from the following list:

  • Engineering Economic Analysis
  • Finite Element Analysis

Primary Certificate Program Advisor

Amir Karimi, PhD

210-458-5514

amir.karimi@utsa.edu

Certificate Program Advisor

Brendy Rincon Troconis, PhD

210-458-6773

brendy.rincon@utsa.edu