Materials Science and Engineering

Education Plan for 2023 Undergraduates

（QMUL Engineering School）

1. Programme Outline

Materials are the basic necessity of human existence. Materials science and engineering is the foundation of science, technology, and manufacturing. As a syncretic discipline hybridizing materials science, engineering, physics, and chemistry, materials science and engineering builds the foundation of aviation, marine engineering, new energy, information technology, renewable resources, and intelligent manufacturing. Materials discipline, which covers metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites, is one of the most influential and distinct disciplines in Queen Mary University of London (hereinafter as QMUL). QMUL provides elite education and professional training for students with a thorough grounding in the structure of materials, the properties of materials, the performance of materials and the manufacturing processes and design. The discipline has been rated as 5-star by the British government many times. A survey conducted by the National Union of Students in 2011 showed that it ranked top 1 in the UK. The Materials discipline in Northwestern Polytechnical University (hereinafter as NPU), as the National Key Discipline, enjoys a high reputation and a great popularity internationally and is ranked top 3 among all National Key Disciplines in the 2012 Discipline Evaluation in China and is evaluated as Category A of national disciplines evaluation in 2017. NPU also has 6 scientific research and talent-training platforms at national level.

Approved by the Ministry of Education of China, NPU and QMUL have launched a joint educational institution named Queen Mary University of London Engineering School, Northwestern Polytechnical University (hereinafter referred to as QMES), in order to provide Chinese students with typical British education that emphasizes on developing undergraduate students’ innovation ability. The QMES, which builds on the acknowledged expertise and experience of the two universities and their complementary research strengths in materials science, fully uses educational resource advantages and high-level international cooperation platforms of both universities to provide a high quality degree level education in the programme of Materials Science and Engineering (080401H). The programme draws on the academic expertise of both institutions and adopts an international teaching mode with curriculum system, teaching materials, and assessment methods from the UK. The mission of this programme is to develop qualified and innovative talents who can study and work transnationally with the knowledge of natural science, materials science and engineering, and social science. Students graduate with comprehensive qualities, high professional competencies, a global horizon, a life-long study ability, and recognition of international rules.

2. Aims of the Programme

This programme aims to develop qualified and innovative talents who can study and work transnationally with the knowledge of natural science, materials science and engineering, and social science. Students graduate with comprehensive qualities, high professional competencies, a global horizon, a life-long study ability, and the recognition of international rules in the field of engineering. Students who have completed their studies will be able to pursue higher degrees and research within universities in China and internationally or careers in the expanding materials science and manufacturing industry in world famous enterprises.

(1) Be equipped with solid basic knowledge and professional skills

Students should master basic principles in materials science and engineering, experimental and computing methods in the field of engineering and materials science, and knowledge of material design and making, material forming and shaping, product design, and application development. Students should be equipped with the ability to research and analyse the structure, the properties and the performance of metallic materials, inorganic nonmetallic materials, composite materials, and advanced materials. Students are able to solve technical problems in their professional field.

(2) Be equipped with international competitiveness

Students become highly proficient in English language: reading English materials and books in materials science, writing academic essays in English, and conducting technical presentations in English. Students can obtain, use and manage various information to conduct cross-cultural communication and cooperation with innovative abilities and international competitiveness. Students can recognize Chinese characteristics and international comparisons correctly, as well as comprehend modern China and the world objectively and comprehensively.

(3) Be equipped with the ability of life-long study

Students should promote and practice Socialist Core Values, recognize the responsibility of times and mission of history, and to understand ambition and dedication correctly. Students should have a strong sense of social responsibility, a healthy mental and moral state, the ability of leading and working in teams, and outstanding communicative and practical skills. Equipped with good presentation skills and writing abilities, students can communicate effectively with their peers and the public about complex engineering and scientific problems. The cultivation of consciousness of engineering ethics, and the concept of working for the wellbeing of the human beings and sustainable development can help students to adapt to dynamic changes, and master the cutting-edge knowledge and new trends in the field of materials science so as to constantly improve students’’ abilities.

3. Ideological Education

Implement the fundamental task of establishing virtues and educating people, use the thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era to shape the soul and educate people, and strive to cultivate students' spirit of patriotism. By making full use of the wide application and strong practical characteristics of materials science and engineering, bridge the course knowledge to national major projects and personage deed through in-class and extracurricular diversified teaching methods, as well as new media carriers to strengthen the guidance of value and foster the ideological and political education through the whole process of teaching. It is necessary to not only make the teaching vivid, but also to make the process of ideological and political moral education concrete so as to convince people with reasonable facts. Guide students to establish socialist core values and patriotism while teaching them solid professional knowledge in order to improve students' ideological and moral sentiments and enhance their sense of social responsibility and mission to serve the country and the people.

4. Graduation Requirements (Core Abilities of Students)

1. Engineering knowledge: Knowledge of a broad-range of topics in materials science including: engineering materials, structure and properties of materials, processing and applications and understanding of materials to a molecular level; Knowledge to an advanced level in more specialised areas of materials science including: surfaces and interfaces, chemistry for materials, polymers, ceramics, renewable energy materials and sustainability.

2. Problem analysis:Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed ; Select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to address complex problems

3. Design/solve problem:Design solutions for complex problems that meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health & safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards; Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems

4. Research:Capacity for independent learning, and to work independently; Retrieve, filter and collate materials data from a variety of information sources

5. Use modern tool/software:Use a wide range of laboratory, testing and analytical equipment; Competent in the use of computer-based technology, and in the manipulation and analysis of quantitative data

6. Engineer and society:Adopt an inclusive approach to engineering practice and recognise the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion

7. Environment and sustainable development:Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems and minimise adverse impacts

8. Professional conduct:relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights; Conduct practical work efficiently; fully aware of laboratory safety standards and operation procedures and conduct with due regard for safety

9. Individual and team work:Capacity for independent learning, and to work independently ; Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team

10. Communication:Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences

11. Project management:Use a risk management process to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks (the effects of uncertainty) associated with a particular project or activity

12. Life-long learning:Plan and record self-learning and development as the foundation for lifelong learning

5. Qualification and Degree Certificate

Official length of the programme: 4+0 years’ study in accordance with the credit management system.

Qualification and certificate: Successful students of the programme will be awarded diploma by NPU, BEng degree by NPU, and BEng degree by QMUL.

6. Credits and Hours

Total credits:172.0+X credits

Includes:

7. Curriculum Structure and Credits

(General education modules and technical discipline modules: 172.0 credits；Personality Development Modules and extension practices : X credits)

1). General education modules ≥70.0 credits

(1) Ideological and political theory modules ≥18.0 credits

Students much take all compulsory modules listed in the above, in total 17 credits. Situation and Policy (1)(2)(3)(4) four modules must be taken in 4 academic years (Semester 1 to Semester 7) respectively with 8 hours (0.5 credit) in each year, in total 32 hours (2 credits). Students must choose to study at least one module from the modules "History of the Communist Party of China", "History of the People's Republic of China", "History of Reform and Opening Up" and "History of the Development of Socialism", and take at least 1 credit.

(2) Military modules 4.0 credits

(3) Sports and Mental health modules 6.0 credits

Students can freely choose different modules according to their majors, physical conditions, interests and physical basis. Students must meet the 421X standard of school physical education qualification upon graduation, that is, complete 4 credits; students should be proficient in 2 sports skills and obtain a skill certificate (one of which is swimming); during the undergraduate period, students can study physical quality development module according to their personal interests and obtain X credits. Students are suggested to choose sports modules during first 4 semesters.

(4) Aesthetics and Art modules 4.0 credits

All students should take the compulsory course—college aesthetic education (2 credits) and at least 2 credits in the other eight elective compulsory courses designated by the Ministry of Education.

(5) Language modules 8.0 credits

(6) Mathematics and Natural Science 23.0 credits

(7) National Security Education 1.0 credit

National security education is a compulsory public fundamental course with the requirements of attending no less than 1 credit (2 hours) in one academic year. The module list in each semester will be published by the University.

(8) Other modules (choose modules from the following categories) ≥6.0 credit

A. Innovation and Entrepreneurship

B. Civilization and Classics

C. Management and Leadership

D. Global Vision

E. Ethics and Sustainable Development

F. Writing and Communication

Note: Students can choose modules from one or more categories listed above and should take at less 6 credits. The module list in each semester will be published by the University.

2). Technical discipline Modules 102.0 credits

(1) Discipline Elementary Modules 3.5 credits

(2) Discipline core modules 85.5 credits

(3) Comprehensive Practice 3.0 credit

Students can participate in a variety forms of scientific research training including innovation and entrepreneurship programme and experiment, academic competition, “Peak Experience Programme”, and scientific research project. Students are also encouraged to participate in a variety forms of practice such as overseas practice, international internship, winter and summer schools. Education on labour replies on industrial practice (10 hours) and summer school (6 hours).

(4) Final project/Thesis for Graduation 10.0 Credits

This project/thesis also supports education on labour with 16 hours to guide students to develop their labor habits and correct labor values.

3). Personality Development Modules (6.0 credits, at least 4 modules)

Students are encouraged to choose the modules taught in English and from the following categories based on their own development and interests.

(1) Comprehensive Literary Module

It is suggested that students should choose the modules taught in English from the following four categories. The module list in each semester will be published by the University.

A. Scientific literacy modules: subjects on natural science such as introduction to aeronautics, astronautics and navigation, environment, biology, etc. “Computing” module is compulsory.

B. Modules on economics, management and law: including economy, management, legal education, etc.

C. Humanities modules: including philosophy, ethics, history, culture, language, literature, society, aesthetics, life and development, etc.

D. Art literacy modules: “The Presentation of the Art of Peking Opera” is compulsory.

(2) Discipline Extension Module

It includes all modules set up by other Schools and major categories.

(3) Minor/Double Degree Module

It is recommended to take courses from the education plans of other major categories or professional minor training programmes issued by the University, and take credits required for minor / double degree majors in accordance with relevant regulations of the University.

(4) Advanced Academic Module

It includes general courses offered by the University and postgraduate courses. Credits beyond the ones required by the education plan of the programme can be included in this category.

4). Extension Practices

To encourage students to participate in all kinds of activities linked with ideological education activities, public benefit activities, innovation and entrepreneurship activities, recreational activities, labor practice activities, social practice activities. The activities list will be published.

8. The Support matrix of curriculum system, aims of programme and graduation requirements

General Education Modules

Technical discipline Modules