Master Program in Environmental Science and Engineering for International Students

Discipline Classification: Science    First Class Discipline Code：0776 First Class Discipline Name：Environmental Science and Engineering

According to the master student program of Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology (hereinafter referred to as NUIST), and with reference to the relevant regulations of NUIST on international students, the international student master program of NUIST is formulated as follows:

1. Introduction to the Major

The major of Environmental Science and Engineering in Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology was approved as a second-level master's program of Environmental Science in 2003. It was granted the right to confer a master's degree in the first-level discipline in 2010. The doctorate and master degrees in the second-level discipline of environmental meteorology were added in 2015, and the right to grant a doctorate degree in a first-level discipline was approved in 2017. In 2009, it was approved as a national construction site of characteristic specialty. In 2011 and 2014, it was approved for the construction of Jiangsu Province's superior disciplines in the first and second phases. In 2012, it was approved as a key specialty of Jiangsu Province in the Twelfth Five-Year Plan. In 2015, it was approved for brand professional project construction by Jiangsu Province. This discipline focuses on creating the research direction of atmospheric environment, strengthening the cross-penetration of environmental science and environmental engineering, deepening internationalization to enhance the level of discipline and international competitiveness, insisting on the combination of observation experiment, theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and industrial application, and carrying out critical and forward-looking basic and applied research of major environmental issues, which has made environmental science and engineering a leading domestic discipline with international influence.

2. Objectives 

Master the solid basic theory, systematic professional knowledge and proficient experimental skills of the discipline, and accumulate practical experience; be able to combine theory and practice; have the ability to independently conduct research and engage in environmental protection work; have the ability to independently undertake the teaching work in advanced colleges and universities; the dissertation has a certain degree of innovation, and the topic selection is aimed at specific environmental issues. Master a foreign language, have the ability to read the foreign language materials of the major and have strong skills of listening, speaking, writing and translation. Be physically and mentally healthy, and be able to independently engage in teaching, scientific research, business and management in universities, research institutes, business departments and other related departments of the world after graduation.

3. Study Directions

（1）Atmospheric Environment;

（2）Environmental Chemistry;

（3）Environmental Pollution Control Mechanism and Technology;

（4）Environmental Meteorology;

（5）Environmental Materials.

4. Educational System, Length of Study and Credit Requirements

The length of education for master students is two (2) years.

If due to special circumstances a master student is unable to graduate on time, the student must apply in person, following the writing of the supervisor’s opinion and signature, the approval of the school affiliated. The application should be submitted to the Graduate School for approval and College of International Students for archiving. The maximum length of time that students can study at the University is five (5) years and during this extension period international students shall pay for the study and accommodation fees as required.

Credit Requirements: For master courses, a credit system has been implemented and consists of degree and non-degree courses. Degree courses must be no less than fifteen (15) credits, and the total credits must equal twenty-six (26) credits or above.

5. Course Introduction

Principal of Water and Wastewater Treatment: This course will explore how water and wastewater treatment are implemented by using a variety of technologies, including preliminary, primary, secondary, tertiary, and advanced waste-water treatment; how the resultant sludges are treated and/or disposed of by incineration or landfill, and other new technologies. Main contents including introduction of sewage treatment, preliminary, primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment, advanced waste-water treatment, sustainable urban drainage systems; the basic concepts of sewage sludge treatment and disposal, current situation of sewage sludge treatment in China and abroad, introduction of new sewage sludge treatment technologies such as hydrothermal process will be covered.

Air Pollution: This course is designed for graduate program. It introduces the structure and the major composition of atmosphere; the effects of meteorological conditions, such as temperature, atmospheric stability, humidity and wind on air pollution; the history of air pollution, the source, sink and transformation mechanisms of various criteria air pollutants; the mechanisms and hazards of typical air pollution problems, such as photochemical smog, acid deposition and particulate matter pollution; climate change; national policies and regulations on the control of atmospheric environmental quality. The prerequisite for this course is atmospheric chemistry.

Environmental Policy and Management: This course aims to introduce environmental governance, concepts, policy processes and institutional structure, and review the principal assessment and management tools in the implementation of environmental policies. It encompasses the process of policy analysis, methods of analyzing and selecting the most appropriate policy response, and decision-making procedures and techniques for effective environmental management. On successful completion of this course students will be able to understand the nature of key environmental issues; understand changes in environmental policy and management processes; and master key assessment and management tools and their role in decision-making and promoting sustainable development. This course will be mainly conducted through lectures and focus on case studies. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions through questions and comments. A final report and an in-class presentation will count for 50% and 50% of the final exam respectively.

Environmental Monitoring: This course introduces sources and physical, chemical, and biological processes that govern distributions of contaminants in air, surface water, groundwater, and soils. It examines the principles, methods, and strategies for monitoring and discrete sampling of environmental media, including air, surface water, groundwater, and soil. It also presents key concepts of statistics for sampling design, data variability, and analysis and interpretation of data sets. This course uses a variety of classroom methods, including lectures, class discussions, and active student participation. Students are expected to participate in, and complete all aspects of required work to the best of their ability.

Atmospheric Chemistry: Both air pollution and climate change can be linked to atmospheric chemistry. This course helps students understand basic principles of chemistry in the Earth’s atmosphere, how the chemistry controls radical cycles and pollutant concentrations and has an effect on climate through chemistry-climate coupling. The main contents of this course include an overview of atmospheric structure, major constituents, chemical kinetics, photochemistry and aerosol formation in the troposphere, stratospheric chemistry, dry and wet deposition of gases and particles in the atmosphere, etc. The final exam will be open book and open notes.  

Calculation Methods of Environmental Science: The basic principles of atmospheric environment sciences are introduced in this course to build a primacy concepts of the emission, transport, chemical transformation and deposition of the chemicals in the earth atmospheric layer. A cluster of mathematical equations are applied to illustrate the essences of atmospheric hydrodynamics, meteorology, diffusion and advection of the air pollution, as well as its chemical transformation. The numerical simulation technology is another primary part in this course. A step-by-step tutorial of running a simulation in WRF-chem, which is one of the most favorite atmospheric chemistry models are introduced. The class lecture and computer practice are the main two methods for this course.

Measurement of Airborne Contaminants: Airborne contaminants are some trace-level components in the atmosphere. Despite of their low abundance, they can often exert significant but adverse impacts on our ecosystem and the well-being of mankind. Measurement of airborne contaminants is our first step in coping with the air pollution, which not only make people beware of the invisible environment reality surrounding them but also enable us to explore, investigate the underlying cause of these malicious air pollution events. In this class, you will learn the basic principles of measurement techniques, such as UV/VIS/IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and chromatography-based techniques. You will gain some basic laboratory training and learn how to interpret the basic laboratory results.

Methodology of Environmental Science: This course is designed to provide a broad understanding on foundational methodology of environmental science. It focuses on providing a better understanding of the methods for environmental monitoring and pollution control. This course is intended to develop students’ abilities to use a variety of scientific knowledge to monitor, control and treat environmental pollutions, including and not limited to wastewater monitoring and treatment technology, exhaust gas monitoring and treatment technology and solid waste monitoring and treatment technology. Furthermore, the knowledge students learnt in the class could be helpful for them in identifying and solving environmental problems, as well as in their future scientific career.

6. Training Style and Methods

The program of master students is combined course work with thesis work. Usually, course work will be done within one (1) year and thesis work takes more than one year.

The training of master students is implemented by the supervisor tutorial system. In this way, supervision is carried out under the supervisor and with a group of experts.

7. Midterm Evaluation 

Master students in the third semester will have midterm evaluation which is to evaluate students’ moral behavior, course score, research progress and other related issues. Failed students can apply for re-evaluation after six (6) months whereas the postponed period is no longer than one (1) year.

8. Degree Thesis

（1）Topic Selection and Thesis Proposal

The master proposal should be completed in the early third semester. Those who need to postpone the submission of the proposal due to special circumstances, a written application should be submitted to the Graduate School in advance and the time limit for delay shall not exceed two (2) months. After the proposal is accepted, changes in principle are not permitted. If there are, however, major changes in topic selection, the proposal should be rewritten.

（2）Thesis Writing and Requirements

This is conducted according to university thesis writing requirements.

（3）Thesis Pre-defense and Defense

 Master’s students must complete all the required courses, pass all the courses and midterm evaluation, complete academic and practice activities and acquire required credits before they are allowed to apply for thesis pre-defense which is held before the end of March each year. Then they will go for blind review of the thesis. Only those students who have passed the pre-defense and blind review can apply for the final defense.

（4）Degree Applications

Degree applications is carried out according to the specific implementation methods outlined in the Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology Masters and Doctorate Degree Conferment Regulations and Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology Regulations on the Program and Qualifications of International Master Students (Trial).

Students shall pass sufficient courses in the program to get no less than twenty-six (26) credits, achieve required academic results, pass HSK Level 3 (or above) and pass the thesis defense.

9. Practice

Practice is combined with Academic Reports and other practice activities. It is worth two (2) credits.

During the period of master thesis work and excluding the Thesis Proposal, a public academic report should be held at least once. The student’s supervisor and the school affiliated are responsible for assessing the quality of the academic report. Master students should also participate in no less than six (6) academic activities including but not limited to academic reports, conferences, teaching and technology competitions both on and off the University campus. Students are required to take records on Academic Activities Brochure and only qualified students can attend final defense.

Attachment: Curriculum for International Master Students in Environmental Science and Engineering

Note：A) Public Courses; B) Major Compulsory Courses; C) Limited-Elective Courses; D) Major Elective Courses; E) Practice