• The worldwide dynamics of supply and demand that drive the price of energy
• How the oil and gas industry works, with a focus on independent oil & gas companies
• The key processes (and costs) of finding, drilling for, and then producing oil & gas
• How landowners control and profit from the minerals underneath their land
• How various owners and companies negotiate the sharing of revenues
• Taxation and other accounting issues unique to oil & gas drilling and production
• How to financially evaluate whether to drill a well or buy into an existing well
• Ways oil & gas companies raise the funds needed to discover and drill
• Risk management techniques for fluctuating oil & gas prices
Students wishing to complete the MBA with an Energy Management Concentration must complete 9 semester hours from the following courses:
MGMT 5313 Energy Management 3 (3-0)
Focuses on terminology, concepts, and business issues that are particularly important to the energy industry. Topics include drilling and production terminology and concepts, an introduction to the importance of geology and geographic information systems to the oil and gas industry, negotiations, and land management. An emphasis is placed on the importance of the ownership of mineral interests and the process for determining such ownership. The process for obtaining mineral lease rights is examined.
FINC 5313 Energy Industry Finance 3 (3-0)
Focuses on the financing and economics of oil and gas endeavors, including risk management, commodity and derivative markets, sources of financing, budgeting, capital budgeting and cash flow analysis, quantitative analysis pertinent to the oil and gas industry, methods of determining the value of production, and typical forms of doing business.
And one course from the following courses:
ACCT 5313 Energy Accounting and Law 3 (3-0)
Focuses on providing an overview of the accounting and legal issues common in the energy industry for those who are not accountants. Accounting topics include accounting for working and royalty interests, depletion, intangible drilling costs, and the financial implications of taxation issues. Taxation issues include state ad-valorem and severance taxes as well as federal taxation issues, such as tax credits. Legal topics include negligence, legal process, and contract law, including oil and gas common joint operating agreements and participation agreements.
ACCT 5013 Graduate Petroleum Accounting 3 (3-0)
Basic financial accounting and reporting requirements for oil-and gas-producing companies, fiscal processes of a petroleum company, and compliance requirements of professional and regulatory organizations. Students with credit for ACCT 4013 may not enroll in this course.
BUAD 5623 Model-Based Problem Solving 3 (3-0)
This course teaches students to use mathematical programming modeling to develop models that lead to making better decisions based on optimization given some constraints. This includes learning about linear programming models, dynamic programming models, integer linear programming models, and nonlinear programming models. Learning about these methodologies provides students a set of tools that can be used to make decisions about the optimal use and allocation of limited resources by businesses and government institutions.
BUAD 5633 Applied Analysis of Business Processes 3 (3-0)
This course applies business process concepts, methodologies, and tools to solve real-world problems in business, government, and academic contexts. Students will develop and present solutions to problems they analyze, including business process software use, six sigma analysis, and statistical software. The course emphasizes analytical thinking in structuring problems, creating solutions, and effectively communicating those solutions to a broad audience.
MIS 5603 Data Visualization 3 (3-0)
This course will introduce data visualization - the art and science of turning data into readable figures and graphics. Multiple techniques and algorithms for creating more effective and clearer visualization will be introduced. Students will go through the process, including data modeling, data preparation, mapping data attributes to graphical attributes, and visual encoding based on known properties of visual perception as well as the tasks at hand. Students will also learn the value of visualization and how to best leverage visualization methods. The learning process will emphasize design and practical business applications.
MIS 5613 Data Mining and Text Analytics in Business 3 (3-0)
The course will provide an overview of data mining, text analytics, and their applications to business problems. Details on the theories and algorithms will be discussed, together with their applications to real business solutions. Hands-on exposure to different data mining methods will be obtained through case studies using mainstream data mining tools. The modern text analytics framework will also be introduced.
Thanks to the generosity of the Thacker Family, MSU Texas Energy Management students have the opportunity to apply for an annual Thacker Family Petroleum Scholarship through the MSU Texas scholarship application process. The Desk and Derrick organization also awards several scholarships nationwide through their educational trust. More details on their program and application procedures for the scholarships can be found at The Desk and Derrick Educational Trust.