The main discipline of petroleum engineering is petroleum and natural gas engineering, and the main courses are: technical economics, geology of oil and gas field development, engineering mechanics, computer programming, fluid mechanics, seepage mechanics, drilling engineering, oil production engineering, reservoir engineering, oilfield chemistry, new drilling and production technology, etc. The main practical teaching links include general geological practice, metalworking practice, production practice, graduation practice and graduation design (generally arranged for 30 weeks).

Similar majors include mining engineering/petroleum engineering/mineral processing engineering/exploration technology and engineering/resource exploration engineering/geological engineering/mineral resources engineering/oil and gas storage and transportation engineering/coal and coalbed methane engineering/resource exploration engineering, etc.