Training Program for Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in 081802 Earth Exploration and Information Technology

I. Training Objectives

This discipline aims to cultivate advanced scientific and technological talents who are well-rounded in moral, intellectual, physical, and aesthetic development, adaptable to China's economic and social progress, contemporary scientific advancements, and the internationalization of the petroleum industry. Specific Requirements are as follows:

1. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, students shall uphold Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thought of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They shall foster patriotism, teamwork, a strong sense of responsibility, and compliance with laws and regulations, while maintaining high moral and academic integrity, as well as physical and mental health. Students must embody socialist core values, demonstrate dedication to science and serving the nation, abide by laws, actively contribute to socialist construction, and become builders and successors of the socialist cause. They shall exhibit rigorous academic attitudes, excellent scientific conduct, academic ethics, innovative spirit, and collaborative teamwork.

2. Students shall master fundamental Marxist theories, possess a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and foreign languages, and acquire extensive expertise in geology, geophysics, petroleum exploration, geophysical prospecting, and development geology. They must stay abreast of technological advancements and cutting-edge developments in their field while familiarizing themselves with related disciplines.

3. Students shall develop independent scientific research capabilities, innovation skills, and strong organizational and managerial abilities. They must excel in technical writing, master at least one foreign language, and possess an international perspective and communication skills to proficiently read foreign literature and engage in seamless language exchanges.

II. Research Areas

This discipline offers 5 research areas:

1. Electromagnetic Prospecting

2. Seismic Exploration

3. Geophysical Well Logging

4. Computational Geophysics

5. Big Data in Geophysics

III. Training Methods

1. Doctoral training primarily focuses on scientific research, emphasizing the development of independent research capabilities. Based on the program requirements and individual strengths, students shall continue coursework to broaden their disciplinary knowledge, enhance practical application, and master methodologies for creative scientific research with rigorous academic standards.

2. Supervisor responsibility system: A supervisory team, led by the advisor and composed of academic experts or interdisciplinary specialists, oversees the doctoral candidate’s coursework, research, and ideological education. The team is nominated by the advisor and approved by the college’s doctoral guidance committee.

3. Individual training plan: Within two months of enrollment, the advisor, considering the candidate’s background and strengths, formulates a detailed plan covering coursework, literature review, practical training, research, proposal defense, and thesis work. The plan is reviewed by the college’s doctoral guidance committee and the dean, then filed with the Graduate School.

4. Coursework is primarily scheduled in the first two semesters, alongside preparatory work for literature review and thesis proposal.

5. Academic exchanges: Advisors and departments shall facilitate participation in domestic and international academic activities, seminars, and conferences to broaden perspectives and stimulate intellectual discourse.

6. Moral and ideological education: Advisors and supervisory teams shall emphasize ethical and ideological development, foster professionalism, teamwork, and dedication while maintaining high academic standards.

IV. Duration of Study

The Full-time doctoral programs typically last 3 years, with a maximum duration of 8 years.

V. Curriculum and Credit Requirements (See Appendix)

Total credits: ≥25, including:

1. Degree courses: 8 credits (4 for public courses, 4 for specialized courses).

2. Non-degree courses: 5 credits (≥4 for electives, 1 for public electives).

3. Research components: 12 credits.

VI. Research Sections

1. Thesis Proposal Defense

Doctoral students generally conduct their thesis proposal defense in the third semester. The evaluation of thesis proposals is organized and implemented uniformly by the college, which establishes a thesis proposal evaluation panel. The expert evaluation panel conducts rigorous and careful review of the proposal in accordance with relevant regulations and provides specific evaluation comments. The evaluation results are categorized as either "Pass" or "Fail". Only students who receive a "Pass" may proceed to thesis research and writing; those who receive a "Fail" must defer their defense, and if they still fail upon deferral, they will be deemed to have not passed the thesis proposal defense.

For those unable to complete the process on schedule or who fail the proposal defense, the timeline may be extended by six months or one year within the stipulated study period. There must be an interval of no less than 18 months between the approval of the thesis proposal and the final thesis defense.

2. Academic Exchanges

Students must actively participate in at least five academic seminars within their discipline and deliver two academic presentations, at least one of which must be in a foreign language. Chinese presentations earn 0.2 credits each, while foreign language presentations earn 0.3 credits each. Students must attend at least two important academic conferences in their field and deliver at least one oral presentation at an international or domestic academic conference at the society level or above. Participation in academic activities and conferences requires submission of written materials endorsed by the supervisor to the college to obtain 2 credits.

3. Midterm Assessment

Approximately one year after completing the thesis proposal defense, a unified midterm assessment will be conducted to comprehensively evaluate students' ideological quality and professional competence.

The assessment focuses on ideological and political performance, moral character, doctoral course examination results, practical and research capabilities, and health status. The assessment panel reaches a conclusion through democratic deliberation, categorized as Pass, Deferred Assessment, or Unsuitable for Continued Training.

(1) Pass: Continue doctoral studies according to the training plan and proceed to the thesis phase. 

(2) Deferred Assessment: The assessment panel may recommend deferral. With the approval of the supervisor, training unit, and graduate school, the student may defer the midterm assessment. If the student fails the second assessment, they will be dismissed. 

(3) Unsuitable for Continued Training: Doctoral students deemed unsuitable for creative scientific research will not pass the assessment and will be dismissed as unsuitable for continued training.

4. Dissertation

 The dissertation work is a key component in training doctoral students to master scientific research methods, develop innovative capabilities, and comprehensively apply their knowledge to identify, analyze, and solve problems.

 The doctoral dissertation must be completed independently by the student under the guidance of the supervisor. The primary data and figures should be collected and prepared by the student themselves. Use of others' work must be properly cited and strictly limited. The program aims to cultivate students' independent thinking and innovative spirit, fully leveraging their initiative. Before beginning their dissertation, students must conduct literature reviews and surveys of practical production, grasp the current research status and development trends in their field domestically and internationally, and determine specific research topics based on this foundation.

VII. Degree Conferral

In accordance with the 《Implementation Rules for Conferring Doctoral Degrees at Yangtze University》, doctoral students who meet the degree conferral requirements and pass the doctoral dissertation review and defense will be awarded the Doctor of Engineering degree in Earth Exploration and Information Technology upon approval by the Degree Evaluation Committee.

Appendix

Table A1 Curriculum Table for Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in 081802 Earth Exploration and Information Technology

Note: The total credits must not be less than 25 credits.