Polymer Chemistry and Physics Education Programme for Double Degrees Postgraduates (QMUL Engineering School, NPU)

1. Programme Introduction

Polymer Chemistry and Physicstakes polymer as its basic research object. By studying the structure, chemical and physical properties of polymer, high-performance polymer materials and products can be designed and created. The Polymer Chemistry and Physics programme of Northwestern Polytechnical University (hereinafter referred to as NPU) dates back to Polymer Materials founded in 1957 (a famous programme and a special programme, and selected as a first-class professional programme in Shaanxi Province). After years of accumulation, it was approved to award master's and doctoral degrees in polymer chemistry and physics in 1998 and 2005 respectively, and was successfully selected into the key disciplines of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The “chemistry” discipline has entered the top 1‰of Essential Science Indicators (ESI) since 2011 in terms of cited reference global institutions; the “materials science” discipline started to enter the top 1‰of Essential Science Indicators (ESI) after September 2018 concerning cited reference global institutions.

The Polymer Chemistry and Physics programme has abundant faculty members. There are 33 professors (including 1 academician, 1 distinguished professor of Yangtze River Scholars and 2 from National 1000 Youth Talent Plan) and 12 associate professors. Among them, 45 were awarded with doctoral degrees. At present, a number of stable research directions have been formed, such as polymer structure and performance, functional polymer chemistry, high performance polymer, polymer composite system, polymer-controlled molding, and supramolecular chemistry and physics. Relying on five research and teaching platforms of the “MoE Key Laboratory for Extraordinary Condition Material Physics and Chemistry”, “Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology of Shaanxi Province”, “Research Centre of Functional Polymer Adsorption and Separation Engineering of Shaanxi Province”, “Engineering Technology Research Center of Rubber Sealing Products of Shaanxi Province”, and Shaanxi Chemical Experiment Teaching Demonstration Centre, it enhances the innovation and practical abilities of undergraduates and postgraduates through a comprehensive quality education model of “the close combination of teaching and research practice, and scientific issues and projects”. A multi-level talent training system has been established from undergraduate teaching to doctoral candidate training.

Queen Mary University of London (hereinafter referred to as QMUL), founded in 1887, is a member of Russell Group (a coalition of 24 best universities in research, teaching and social cooperation in the UK). It ranks the 9^thin 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) in the UK, and won the silver award for the 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework. It has the accreditation of the top 25 world universities in view of internationalization according to The Times and ranks 119^thin 2019 QS World University Rankings. As the first university in the UK to establish the subject of materials engineering, materials science is one of the most influential disciplines in QMUL, which has been awarded five-star by the British government for many times and ranks first in terms of satisfaction survey sponsored by the National Student Federation in 2011 in the UK. Since 2008, the School of Engineering and Materials Sciences of QMUL has always been the top five in the UK in terms of scientific research ability. It provides elite quality education and excellent professional education for students in the whole process of material organization, structure and performance relationship, and material design, shaping and application in the field of polymers and composites.

In 2016,approved by the Ministry of Education of China, NPU and QMUL have launched a joint educational institutenamed Queen Mary University of London Engineering School, Northwestern Polytechnical University (hereinafter referred to as QMES) in order to providehigh-quality international undergraduate education. On the basis of undergraduate education, relying on high-level scientific research platforms and the international teaching and research teams such as the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and the Sino-British Joint Research Institute of Advanced Materials and Structures, QMES deeply integrates the superior educational resources and education philosophies of the two universities in the field of materials to carry out the double masters education programme of Polymer Chemistry and Physics so as to enhance the education level of Sino-foreign joint education. The aim is to cultivate students to become the international innovative talents with solid natural science foundation and profound engineering technology knowledge, international perspective and international competitiveness, and innovative thinking and ability, capable of independently doing scientific research or undertaking engineering technology related work in the field of polymer chemistry and physics and polymer materials fields.

2. Educational Aims

(1)Be equipped to become a qualified builder and reliable successor of the Socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era with a strong sense of love for nation and family and social responsibility, good academic ethics and professionalism, physical and mental health, and high comprehensive quality.

(2)Be equipped to be proficient in natural science and solid basic theory such as polymer synthesis methodology, polymer aggregation structure and polymer material forming technology; be equipped with the ability to study and prepare polymer materials and independently engage in scientific research and engineering practice.

(3)Be equipped with the fluently skills in English listening, speaking, reading and writing, global international perspective, strong innovative consciousness and ability, rigorous scientific research style, good spirit of cooperation, and the ability of self-learning and lifelong learning.

3. Research Interests

Research interests	Main contents
Functional Polymers Chemistry	1）Design and Synthesis of Polymers 2）Biomedical and Renewable Polymers 3）Polymer for Space Applications 4）Polymer for Energy and Environment
Supramolecular Chemistry and Physics	1）Green Synthesis of Supramolecular Systems 2）Supramolecular Polymers and Materials 3）Supramolecular Recognition and Supramolecular Systems 4）Supramolecular Assembly and Functionalization
Polymeric Composites	1）Advanced Resin Matrix Composites and Interfaces 2）Polymer Nanocomposites 3）Organic -Inorganic Hybrid Polymeric Composites
Polymer Controlled Molding	1）Control Molding of High Performance Resin Matrix Composites 2）Control Molding of High Performance Engineering Plastics 3）Rheology of Polymer System

4. Qualification and Degree Certificate

Schooling years:3 years including no less than 9 months studying in QMUL, at least 28 credits needed.

Degree:After completing the whole education process and successfully defensing the dissertation, the postgraduate students will be awarded diploma by NPU, MSc degree by NPU and MSc degree by QMUL.

5.Modules and Credits/Hours,13Modules in Total with28 Credits

uPublic modules (3 modules), 6 credits/108 hours;

uFundamental modules (1 module), 3 credits/60 hours;

uTechnical core modules (8 modules), 17 credits/340 hours;

uComprehensive module (1 module), 2 credits/40 hours;

Except for ideological and political theory modules (3 credits), 16 credits taught by QMUL and 9 credits taught by NPU with fully English teaching. 7 introduced modules include English for Science and Engineering,Professional Engineering Methods,Advanced Polymer Synthesis and other 5 technical core modules,satisfying the requirement ofRegulations of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools, which are:

◆numbers of introduced modules (7) take 53.8% of numbers of total modules (13);

◆numbers of introduced major core modules (5) take 62.5% of numbers of total major modules (8);

◆numbers of QMUL teaching major core modules (5) take 38.5% of numbers of total modules (13);

◆class hours of QMUL teaching major core modules (220) take 40.1% of class hours of total modules (548).

Module distribution in details is as below:

(Module code reference: Modules beginning with Code Q are taught by QMUL. Modules beginning with Code N are taught by NPU in English. Modules beginning with Code M are the compulsory modules taught by NPU in Chinese according to MoE regulations.)

(1)Public modules (3 modules, 6 credits)

(2)Fundamental modules(1 module, 3 credits)

(3) Technical coremodules(8 modules, 17 credits)

(4)Comprehensive module (1 module, 2 credits)

Curriculum Modules and Credits Table

Module

Module Code

Module Name

Hours/ Credits

Exam/Assessment

Allocation of Hours

Exam √

Assess √

Lecture

Experiment

Sem 1st

Sem 2nd

Sem 3rd

Sem 4th

Sem 5th

Sem 6th

Public Modules

Public Modules

M13G11001

Research on the Theory and Practice of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

36/2.0

√

36

18/1.0

18/1.0

M13G11002

Dialectics of Nature

18/1.0

√

18

18/1.0

QXU7111

English for Science and Engineering

54/3.0

√

54

54/3.0

Total

108/6.0

Fundamental Modules

Fundamental Modules

NXC7103

Mathematical Statistics

60/3.0

√

60

60/3.0

Total

60/3.0

Technical Core Modules

Technical Core Modules

NXC7104

Introduction to Polymer Physics

40/2.0

√

40

40/2.0

QXU7033

Advanced Polymer Synthesis

40/2.0

√

40

40/2.0

NXC7204

Progress in Polymer Processing

40/2.0

√

40

40/2.0

NXC7205 NXC7206 NXC7207

Supramolecular Chemistry (option A) Advanced Organic Chemistry (option B) Advanced Physical Chemistry (option C)

40/2.0

√

40

40/2.0

QLU7301

Environmental Properties of Materials

40/2.0

√

40

40/2.0

QLU7302

Plastic Electronic Materials

40/2.0

√

40

40/2.0

QLU7402

Advanced Mechanical Properties

40/2.0

√

40

40/2.0

QLU7404

Polymer Rheology

40/2.0

√

40

40/2.0

Total

340/17.0

Comprehensive Modules

Comprehensive Modules

QXU7211

Professional Engineering Methods

40/2.0

√

40

40/2.0

Total

40/2.0

Total hours / total credits:548//28.0

Reference: Modules beginning with Code Q are taught by QMUL. Modules beginning with Code N are taught by NPU in English. Modules beginning with Code M are the compulsory modules taught by NPU in Chinese according to MoE regulations

6. Education Plan

TheAcademic Committeeof QMES is in charge of supervising and guaranteeing the education process of double master degree, teaching quality and the viva examination of the final dissertation/project.

Dual tutors mechanism is adopted in this double master programme. Respectively coming from NPU and QMUL, two tutors play a leading role in the cultivation process and will be decided when postgraduates are registered. The final dissertation/project is co-directed by dual tutors.

Schooling years are 3 years including no less than 9 months studying in QMUL.

Taught modulesenjoy the important part of the education plan for the postgraduates who are required to complete enough credits, satisfying the credit requirements of both NPU and QMUL, before the viva examination.

1) Taught modules

(1)Students study public modules, fundamental modules, comprehensive modules and part of technical core modules in NPU, and decide their choices on research interests and complete the literature review for their dissertations under the guidance of dual tutors.

(2)Students study all the technical core modules in QMUL, and start their academic research work and submit their dissertation plans supervised by the dual tutors.

(3)Students continue their research work in NPU and QMUL and complete all the requirements, pass mid-term dissertation assessment, finish writing their dissertations and pass the final viva examination under the instruction of their dual tutors.

(4)The contents of Professional Engineering Methods include: scientific ethics and academic norms, intellectual property rights, problem solving methods, project management, psychology, career planning, academic literature review, academic paper writing guidance and so on.

(5)Students should complete the comprehensive industrial/social practice in NPU. It focuses on cultivating the comprehensive abilities of postgraduates by means of attending activities such as teaching practice, scientific and technological innovation, social service, cultural training, taking a temporary post and volunteer activities. After the practice students need to complete the form titledFeedback on the Industrial/Social Practice for NPU Postgraduateswith their NPU tutors’remarks and comments from the organizations where students have done their practice, which is kept in their files.

2) Project/dissertation scheme

(1) Literature review

Dual tutors will be decided when postgraduates are registered and supervise students to choose their research interests. Students should submit the literature review before the end of the 1^stacademic year.

(2) The opening report review

The final project/dissertation starts with the opening report review which should demonstrate the scientific significance, background, research content, expected objectives, research methods and conditions of the topic. The opening report review should be reported to the Academic Committee for comments no later than the 3^rdsemester.

Those who pass the review shall be allowed to continue the final project/dissertation. Those who fail to pass the review shall be warned and asked to revise it within a specified time period. They shall submit the report again for review. Those who fail to pass the review again shall terminate the programme or find other cultivating ways.

(3) Mid-term review

Students should submit a mid-term progress report about 6 months after the opening report passed. The progress report shall include whether the work of the project/dissertation is carried out according to the scheduled content of the opening report and the progress of the project/dissertation plan, the completed research content, the summary of scientific and academic research participated, the existing or anticipated problems, the proposed solutions, subsequent work plan and research content, etc.

During the progress students are allowed to make necessary adjustments to the project/dissertation (title,content, research plan, etc.). However, the main content of project/dissertation should be basically consistent with the content of mid-term progress report when students having the viva examination of the final project/dissertation.

A review team can be established under the consent of the Academic Committee. It should consist of at least three associate professors and above (excluding tutors) with a team leader to give evaluation opinions on students’submitted projects/dissertations.

Those who pass the review shall be allowed to continue the final project/dissertation. Those who fail to pass the review shall be warned and asked to revise it within a specified time period. They shall submit the report again and pass the review. Those who fail to pass the review again shall terminate the programme or find other cultivating ways.

(4) The final project/dissertation writing

The final project/dissertation is the summary of independent and systematic academic research work completed by postgraduate students under the guidance of tutors. It should have good academic technicality and considerable workload. It solves the scientific problems of the subject by using existing or innovative theories and methods, carries out necessary theoretical analysis and obtains correct results. Specific requirements shall be implemented in accordance with theRegulations on Degree Thesis Writing of NPUandCriteria for Master's Degree Dissertations of QMUL.

(5) The viva examination

A Viva Examination Committee shall be established under the consent of the Academic Committee to evaluate students’projects/dissertations in accordance with the provisions of the Academic Degree Evaluation Committee of both NPU and QMUL.

7. Enrollment Requirements for Double Degrees Master Students

1) Participate in the Unified National Postgraduate Entrance Examination, reach the basic score line of postgraduate interview of NPU, and pass the interview organised by QMES who select the best examinees.

2) Candidates who meet the exam-free requirements of NPU postgraduates shall apply for their intended programme through MoE “national information disclosure and management service system for recommending outstanding undergraduates to study postgraduate programmes” and pass the interview organized by QMES.

3) English requirements: have achieved a score of 6.0 or above in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score in writing of 5.5 or above; or achieved a score of 60 or above in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score in writing of 18 or above; or have, within 5 years prior to entry to the JEI, graduated from a degree that was studied in English, where the transcript of the degree clearly shows that the degree was taught and examined in English.

8. Student Management of Double Degrees Master

QMES is responsible for postgraduate enrollment, student registration, student management, academic management and student cultivation. The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering assist the selection of tutors, academic guidance and to provide research platforms.

Teacher List

Tutor List

No.	Name	Gender	Title	Research field
1.	Zhang Qiuyu	Female	Professor	Functional polymer
2.	Chen Lixin	Female	Professor	Design and molding process of composite materials with structural and functional integration
3.	Wang Rumin	Male	Professor	Polymer materials and their polymer matrix composites
4.	Huang Ying	Female	Professor	Electromagnetic shielding material, supercapacitor electrode material, etc.
5.	Ma Xiaoyan	Female	Professor	New energy polymer design and synthesis Synthesis of functional hybrid POSS and modification
6.	Yan Hongxia	Female	Professor	Functional polymer materials
7.	Zhang Guangcheng	Male	Professor	Preparation and application of high perfomance polymer materials
8.	Zheng Yapin	Female	Professor	Solvent-free nanofluids, powder coatings and additives
9.	Kong Jie	Male	Professor	Hyperbranched polymer design synthesis and application
10.	Liu Yuyang	Male	Professor	Functional polymer
11.	Zhang Aibo	Female	Professor	Polymer chemistry and physics, functional polymer materials
12.	Qin Chuanguang	Male	Professor	Biomedical polymer materials
13.	Gu Junwei	Male	Professor	Functional polymer composites, structure/function integration resin matrix composites
14.	Yin Dezhong	Male	Professor	Functional material chemistry
15.	Tian Wei	Male	Professor	Supramolecular polymers and macromolecular self-assembly
16.	Yan Yi	Male	Professor	Sustainable application of organic metal polymer materials
17.	Zhang Jiaoqiang	Male	Professor	Functional polymer
18.	Chen Yanhui	Female	Professor	High performance polymers
19.	Chen Kaijie	Female	Professor	Metal-organic framework
20.	Zhang Jian	Male	Professor	Smart polymer materials
21.	Zhang Hepeng	Male	Professor	Structural design, control preparation and catalytic properties of inorganic materials
22.	Jiao Jian	Female	Professor	Polymer structures, properties and functions
23.	Zhang Baoliang	Male	Professor	Methodology of polymer synthesis
24.	Ou Zhize	Male	Associate Professor	Self-assembly of amphiphilic polymers
25.	Xu Tingting	Female	Associate Professor	Functional polymer material
26.	Yao Junyan	Female	Associate Professor	Synthesis and molding of functional polymer materials
27.	Chen Fang	Female	Associate Professor	Organic and inorganic hybridization materials
28.	Gao Yunyan	Female	Associate Professor	Self-assembly of amphiphilic polymers
29.	Gleb Sukhorukov	Male	Professor	Multifunctional nano materials
30.	James Busfield	Male	Professor	Examining the physical behaviour by experiment and modelling techniques of soft matter.
31.	Julien Gautrot	Male	Professor	Synthesis and characterisation of biomaterials. Micro- and nano-patterning.
32.	Edo Boek	Female	Associate Professor	Electrochemical sensors and characterization techniques
33.	Emiliano Bilotti	Female	Associate Professor	Biomineralization
34.	Helena Azevedo	Female	Associate Professor	Bioengineering applications
35.	Stoyan Smoukov	Male	Associate Professor	Autonomous material robotics, self-sensing materials
36.	Dimitrios Papageogiou	Male	Assistant Professor	Polymer Nanocomposites, Nanomaterials, Graphene, 2D Materials, Strain Engineering
37.	Han Zhang	Male	Assistant Professor	Polymer proteins and polymer peptide conjugates
38.	Oliver Fenwick	Male	Assistant Professor	Thermoelectric, organic electronics, supramolecular, polymer
39.	Wei Tan	Female	Assistant Professor	Mechanical response of composite materials