13 May 2025
Shape the Future with Materials Science
On 9th May 2025 at 3:00 – 4:00pm, the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science (CMS), School of Science (SCI) at XJTLU hosted its inaugural recruitment event for the new and innovative BEng Materials Science and Engineering (UMSE) programme. More than 20 enthusiastic students gathered for a lively session led by Dr. Tianhong Gu?(Programme Director) and Dr. Lifeng Ding (Head of Department), who unveiled the UMSE programme’s vision to shape the next generation of materials pioneers. Here’s a briefing of the event’s highlights, student interactions and key takeaways.
Session Structure & Content
Programme Introduction:?Dr. Gu opened with a compelling overview of UMSE’s interdisciplinary nature, blending chemistry, physics, AI, and engineering to solve global challenges in developing new materials. She emphasised:
- Modules: AI in Materials Science, Semiconductor Materials, Energy Materials, Biomaterials, and Polymer Materials are designed to bridge theory with real-world applications.
- Facilities: Hands-on access to the outstanding facilities in the Advanced Materials Research Center (AMRC) and the Chemistry AI Robotic Lab (AI-RCL).
- FYP: The students will have opportunities to select various exciting topics from CMS and within SCI but also from different Schools across XJTLU, as well as from JITRI, offering internships and research projects.
- Dual Degrees: Options to study entirely at XJTLU (4+0) or transfer to the prestigious School of Engineering (2+2) at the University of Liverpool (UoL), earning globally recognised qualifications.
Faculty Expertise:?A slide highlighted UMSE programme’s cross-departmental faculty, including 6 AI / computational experts, 8 energy materials specialists, and 3 polymer researchers, ensuring students learn from academic and research leaders in their scientific fields.
Students’ Q&A Session: Addressing Curiosities & Concerns
The Q&A session buzzed with energy as students raised a number of interesting and important questions, and helpful answers were provided by both Dr. Gu and Dr. Ding, respectively. A representative sample follows below:
- Q1: “How is AI used in materials science?”
A1: “In Advanced AI, you will be trained to establish models to predict material properties, performance, and optimise parameters for material design and operations. We are very fortunate to have signed a strong collaborative agreement with scientists from the world renowned University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). Our USTC colleagues are helping us build a pioneering lab in AI-Robotics Chemistry with a focus on Materials Science. This is a world leading initiative and our students will be afforded an opportunity to be actively involved, participate and contribute to many of its cutting edge research projects.”
- Q2:“We also learn about a limit of 30 students in the highly competitive USME, so how do you select applicants in case you receive more than 30 applications?”
A2:?“The prerequisite for UMSE is only Calculus. In case of receiving more than 30 applicants, the students’ selection process will follow the overall grades students have received and especially consider their grades in Calculus.”
- Q3:“There is a saying circulating in society that it is very difficult to look for a job in the fields of biology, chemistry, environment and materials. What is your view on this?”
A3:?“We disagree with the saying, which is inaccurate and misleading. Our newly-approved UMSE programme is quite different from a traditional Engineering programmes. Our UMSE programme includes many new technologies and innovations consistent with the current market demand for talents and aligns well with key strategic priorities by both the Jiangsu province and Chinese government. In real life, almost all high-tech development and innovations are inseparable from new materials such as cell phones, laptops, automobiles, airplanes, spacecraft, biomedical materials, energy sectors, semiconductors, batteries and many others. In our view and according to national data from the Chinese government, there will be a huge demand for competent material scientists and well-trained material engineers in the next decade. These young scientists will be expected to devote themselves to the next generation of materials development in industrial applications, which is projected to be one of the fastest growing employment sectors in China and across the world.”
- Q4:“Please clarify whether UMSE belongs to an engineering degree or a science degree.”
A4: “The BEng is an engineering degree. But our UMSE is an interdisciplinary subject that makes use of fundamental knowledge from Physics, Chemistry, Math and Engineering applications. Teaching staff are also from different scientific backgrounds, who specialize in materials, including metallurgy, polymer, biomaterials, semiconductor, nanomaterials, engineering, energy materials and AI computational materials.”
- Q5: “What career options will graduates have?”
A5:?“In Year 4, students can take various optional modules like biomaterials, polymer materials, energy materials, AI computational chemistry, and others to study a materials field that interests them. In addition, they will have an opportunity to complete a fully immersive, semester long Final Year Project on a research topic of interest to them under the caring supervision of an expert faculty. In this semester (S2, Y4), students will be able to exclusively focus their research work during protected time and with no taught modules so they can publish their research findings in high quality research journals and better develop their skills as they prepare to submit strong applications for entry into highly prestigious research intensive Masters and PhD programmes among top universities in the world. Therefore, our UMSE graduates will enjoy many career options in materials science, materials engineering, materials energy and AI computational materials.
- Q6:“What other disciplines can graduates pursue for their postgraduate studies after receiving their BEng MSE degree?”
A6:?“Our UMSE programme includes a wide range of fundamental knowledge and interdisciplinary skills that are suitable for many academic disciplines, including math, physics, chemistry and engineering. Especially, the incorporation of AI in materials science modules into our curriculum represents the first of its kind in a UMSE programme in China. Therefore, our graduates can pursue a discipline relevant to materials research in physical science, chemistry, AI computational science and engineering-related disciplines.”
- Q7:“What kind of internship opportunities do students have?”
A7: “There are various exciting internship opportunities that will be made available to our UMSE students. We are leveraging Suzhou’s pioneering tech firms and our strong partnerships with JITRI to establish rewarding internship opportunities for all of our students.”
- Q8:“XJTLU has BEng and MRes degree in MSE, what about a PhD degree in MSE?”
A8: “So far, we do not have a PhD degree in MSE. Therefore, our PhD students in materials science typically receive a PhD degree in Chemistry or Engineering. However, over the next 1-2 years and in an effort to better support our students, our School of Science is looking to develop a specific PhD in Materials Science and Engineering.”
Next Steps - Engineer the Impossible
Limited seats:?Only 30 student seats available?in this highly competitive programme, act fast!
Transfer Applications:?Submit via E-Bridge (20–21 May). Results announced 23 May.
Next Information Session:?17th May (Saturday afternoon).
Please contact:?Dr. Tianhong Gu?(Tianhong.Gu@xjtlu.edu.cn), Program Director for details.
Your adventure in Materials Science starts here—apply today and build an exciting future!
13 May 2025