University of Kansas

Johnson County Community College Transfer Program to the University of Kansas School of Engineering
School of Engineering

tel:+17858644965

Petroleum Engineering, BS

mailto:kuengr@ku.edu

Academic Year 2026-2027

https://catalog.ku.edu/engineering/chemical-petroleum-engineering/bs-petroleum/

Program Description

Students interested in KU’s Engineering programs need to work closely with advisors at both JCCC and KU. This helps students stay on track and not prolong the time it takes to earn an engineering bachelor’s degree from KU. Students are advised to complete the Kansas Systemwide General Education requirements, and the prerequisite courses listed on the transfer guide. Students are also encouraged to use the Reverse Transfer option (if eligible) after transferring to KU.  The Reverse Transfer allows students to earn their associate degree from JCCC while working towards their bachelor’s degree at KU. 

Petroleum engineers search the world for reservoirs containing oil and natural gas. Once these resources are discovered, petroleum engineers work to understand the geologic formation and properties of the rock containing the reservoir, determine the drilling methods to be used, and monitor drilling and production operations. They design equipment and processes to achieve the maximum profitable recovery of oil and gas. Petroleum engineers typically work for major oil companies, independent oil exploration, and production and service companies. 

Admissions Requirements

Admission to The University of Kansas is required, along with the following, for admission to the KU School of Engineering as a transfer student:

  • Be admissible to KU
  • 2.5+ cumulative college GPA
  • “C-” or better in MATH 125 Calculus I, or its direct equivalent (MATH 241 Calculus I* at JCCC)
  • “C” or better in all math, science and engineering coursework
  • The School of Engineering recommends that students apply for transfer admission to KU by May 1 for summer and fall; December 1 for spring.
  • Admission is selective. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
  • Timely completion of prerequisite courses is imperative due to tight sequencing of major courses. Consult KU catalog and seek KU advising early.
  • The B.S. in Petroleum Engineering is an ABET accredited program.
  • A total of 128 credit hours is required for the B.S. in Petroleum Engineering.
  • A maximum of 75 hours may be transferred to KU from community colleges. Students should be aware that 45 junior/senior credit hours are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree; the last 30 hours of course work must be at KU; and community college courses do not transfer as junior/senior hours.
  • Transfer students will have their applications to the School of Engineering evaluated on a case-by-case basis and must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be considered.
  • Transfer credits must have a grade of “C-” or higher to be applied toward the degree.
  • For petroleum engineering majors, courses used to fulfill the KU Core 34 in English, Communications, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Arts & Humanities, U.S. Culture, and Global Culture accept Credit/No Credit.

It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to check for updates to all transfer information. This transfer guide is provided as a service and is updated as needed. Degree requirements at the four-year colleges are subject to change by those institutions. To ensure you have the most accurate information about the program, you must meet with an advisor at the transfer institution. 

Program Requirements

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in math, science, and engineering courses applicable to the engineering degree.

KU Core 34 Requirements

Visit the KU Core 34 General Education guide for JCCC equivalents.

JCCC
KU
Course CodeCourse TitleCourse HoursTransfer CodeTransfer TitleTransfer Hours
KU Core 34 English (two courses)6
KU Core 34 Communications3
KU Core 34 Math and Statistics3
Select one of the following:
Calculus I * #^ 5MATH 125Calculus I4
OR
Business and Applied Calculus I * and Business and Applied Calculus II * 6MATH 115
& MATH 116
Calculus I
and Calculus II
6
KU Core 34 Natural and Physical Sciences (lab required)
PHYS 220Engineering Physics I * #5PHSX 211
& PHSX 216
General Physics I Lecture
and General Physics I Laboratory
5
KU Core 34 Social and Behavioral Sciences (Select two courses in two different disciplines)6
KU Core 34 Arts and Humanities (Select two courses in two different disciplines)6
KU Core 34 US Culture (Institutionally Designated)3
KU Core 34 Global Culture (Institutionally Designated)3
Mathematics Courses
MATH 242Calculus II * 5MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 243Calculus III * 5MATH 127Calculus III4
MATH 246Elementary Linear Algebra *3MATH 290Elementary Linear Algebra2
MATH 254Differential Equations *4MATH 220Analytic Geometry Calc I4
Basic Sciences Courses
CHEM 124
CHEM 125
General Chemistry I Lecture * and General Chemistry I Lab * #5CHEM 130General Chemistry I5
CHEM 131
CHEM 132
General Chemistry II Lecture * and General Chemistry II Lab * 5CHEM 135General Chemistry II5
PHYS 221Engineering Physics II * 5PHSX 212
& PHSX 236
General Physics II Lecture
and General Physics II Laboratory
4
Engineering & Advanced Science Courses
GEOS 130General Geology 5GEOL 101
& GEOL 103
The Way The Earth Works
and Geology Fundamentals Lab
5

*

JCCC course has a prerequisite or corequisite. 

#

This course is a Required Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require this specific Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. If a student did not take this course, it must be taken in addition to other degree requirements. 

^

MATH 125 Calculus I is the "math pathway" course. If a student is not ready to start in Calculus 1, this degree will take more than 4 years to complete. This course will fulfill the Core 34 Math and Statistics requirement. Student must earn a grade of "C-" or better.

Last Approved 5/26/2026, 3:04:54 PM