Training Program for Master of Engineering in 081800 Geological Resources and Geological Engineering

I. Training Objectives

The program aims to cultivate master's students with comprehensive development in moral, intellectual, and physical education, who possess entrepreneurial spirit and innovative capabilities, and can become high-level specialized talents in scientific research, engineering technology, and management, meeting the needs of socialist modernization. The specific requirements are as follows:

1. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, adhere to 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. Establish patriotic thinking, cultivate team awareness, possess strong career dedication and sense of responsibility, abide by laws and regulations, have good moral character and academic accomplishment, and maintain physical and mental health. Cultivate individuals with core socialist values, a professional spirit dedicated to science and serving the country, who comply with laws and regulations, actively contribute to socialist construction, and can become builders and successors of the socialist cause. Possess rigorous academic attitude, excellent scientific style and academic ethics, good innovative spirit and awareness, and a collaborative team spirit.

2. Master solid foundational theories, systematic specialized knowledge, necessary experimental skills, and proficient computer application abilities within the discipline. Understand the historical development, status, and trends of the discipline, possess academic innovation capabilities, pioneering spirit, and the ability to independently conduct scientific research in the field of geological resources and geological engineering.

3. Master a foreign language, be able to proficiently conduct professional reading, communication, and write papers. Develop international perspectives and the ability to engage in international exchanges and cooperation. Possess the ability to conduct scientific research, teaching, or independently undertake specialized technical work in the discipline, with strong comprehensive abilities, language expression and writing skills, and a truth-seeking, rigorous academic attitude.

II. Research Areas

The discipline offers seven research specializations:

1. Geophysical Logging

2. Seismic Exploration

3. Electromagnetic Exploration

4. Reservoir Geophysics

5. Engineering Geophysical Prospecting

6. Geophysical Instrumentation

7. Big Data in Geophysics

III. Training Methods

1. Supervisors shall formulate an individualized training plan based on the program’s requirements and the principle of teaching students according to their aptitude, considering each student's specific situation, within one month after enrollment.

2. Graduate student training adopts a combination of coursework and thesis work. Students must not only deeply master basic theories and specialized knowledge, but also acquire basic scientific research methods and skills, and the ability to conduct scientific research. The entire training process should adhere to the principle of integrating theory with practice.

3. The guidance model combines responsibility of individual supervisors with collective supervision by a tutor group.

4. Learning for graduate students should focus on attending degree courses with standardized examinations; elective courses can be completed through exams or reading reports. Teachers should inspire students to think deeply and make correct judgments, foster independent analytical and problem-solving skills, emphasize scientific research training, and strengthen students' participation in research projects, topic seminars, and academic activities.

5. Strengthen political and moral education for graduate students. Students are required to conscientiously attend political theory and current affairs policy courses and actively participate in public service activities.

IV. Duration of Study

The general duration of study is three years, with a maximum not exceeding four years. The coursework period is generally one year. Master’s students must complete the required coursework and thesis work as outlined in the training plan within the specified duration.

V. Curriculum and Credit Requirements (See Appendix)

The curriculum includes degree courses, non-degree courses, remedial courses, and research sections, with a minimum of 33 credits.

1. Degree Courses: No fewer than 16 credits, including 7 credits for public degree courses and at least 9 credits for professional degree courses.

2. Non-degree Courses: 9 credits.

3. Research Sections: 8 credits.

4. Remedial Courses: Students with equivalent education or cross-disciplinary admission must take 1-2 core undergraduate course from the relevant field. These are taken with undergraduates, assessed with a grade, but not counted towards credit requirements.

VI. Research Sections

1. Thesis Proposal

Usually conducted in the third semester. The evaluation of the thesis proposal is organized by the college, forming an assessment panel to evaluate the topic, research objectives, methods, plans, and expected results. Students are rated as "Pass" or "Fail". Only those rated "Pass" may proceed to thesis work. Those rated "Fail" must reschedule the defense. A second failure leads to disqualification but may reapply after six months.

2. Academic Exchange

Academic activities are a mandatory component, requiring students to earn at least 1 academic credit. Specifically, students must present at least one academic report at a college-level or higher conference (0.5 credits per report) and attend at least five college-level or higher academic conferences (0.5 credits in total). To receive credits, students must submit written materials signed by their supervisor to the college.

3. Mid-term Progress Report and Assessment

Approximately one year after completing the thesis proposal, a comprehensive midterm assessment is conducted to evaluate students' ideological integrity and professional competence. The assessment focuses on ideological and moral performance, coursework grades, practical and research capabilities, and health status. The assessment panel deliberates democratically and assigns one of three grades: "Excellent," " Qualified," or " Unqualified ":

Excellent: May apply for early graduation or be prioritized for master's-to-Ph.D. programs per university regulations.

Qualified: Continue their master's studies as planned and proceed to the thesis phase.

Unqualified: The panel may recommend expulsion or deferral of the midterm assessment. Students recommended for expulsion will receive an expulsion notice and terminate their studies. Those granted deferral may, with supervisor and departmental approval and graduate school authorization, defer the assessment by one or two semesters. If they fail the second assessment, they will be expelled.

4. Master’s Thesis

Thesis work is a critical component of graduate education, providing comprehensive training in scientific research or specialized technical work. It cultivates students' innovation abilities and their capacity to integrate knowledge to identify, analyze, and solve problems. Master's students must participate in their supervisor's research projects and select topics of significant value, ensuring their thesis offers novel insights.

To ensure thesis quality, students must publish at least one academic paper in a Chinese core or higher-tier journal during their studies. The thesis must be completed independently under the supervisor's guidance, with primary data and figures collected or prepared by the student. Use of others' work must be properly cited and strictly limited. Students are encouraged to think independently and innovate, leveraging their initiative fully. Before beginning their thesis, students must conduct literature reviews, practical investigations, and actively participate in academic activities.

By the start of the fourth semester at the latest, students must finalize their thesis plan, select a topic under their supervisor's guidance, and submit a literature review and proposal. The proposal defense, conducted within a designated group or department, incorporates feedback and requires supervisor and departmental approval before research begins. The thesis topic must have significant theoretical or practical value, supported by robust data, sound arguments, feasible methodologies, correct conclusions, and rigorous logic, while demonstrating originality..

Only after completing all research sections can students apply for thesis defense. Thesis defense and degree application procedures follow the regulations of Yangtze University. Those who pass the defense, and with the approval of the Degree Evaluation Committee, will be granted the Master of Engineering degree and a graduation certificate.

VII. Degree Conferral

According to the 《Implementation Rules for Master’s Degree Awarding of Yangtze University》, those who meet all requirements and pass the thesis review and defense shall be granted Master of Engineering in Geological Resources and Geological Engineering upon approval by the Degree Evaluation Committee.

Appendix

Table A1 Curriculum Table for Academic Master’s Program in 081800 Geological Resources and Geological Engineering

Note: The total credits must meet or exceed the minimum credit requirement set by the Graduate Education Steering Committee.