Program Overview

Introduction to the Biological Engineering Program

The Biological Engineering program at Nanjing University of Technology is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary field that combines biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering to design, optimize, and transform biological systems and functions. The program aims to solve technical and engineering problems in the field of life sciences and promote the healthy development of the biological industry.

Program Overview

The Biological Engineering program is a first-level discipline that relies on the School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering. It is one of the most influential and competitive higher education bases in the field of biological manufacturing in China. The program has a strong faculty team, including Chinese Academy of Engineering academics and national-level high-end talents, and has made significant contributions to the development of biological manufacturing and the pharmaceutical industry in China.

Training Objectives

The program aims to cultivate high-level talents with a strong political stance, noble moral character, rigorous academic attitude, and innovative spirit. The training objectives include:

• Knowledge structure: mastering the basic theories and specialized knowledge of synthetic biology, systems biology, cell culture, metabolic engineering, biocatalysis, pharmaceutical processes, biomaterials, and bioenergy.
• Ability structure: possessing strong innovation ability, team spirit, and the ability to conduct scientific research and solve practical technical problems in the field of biological engineering.
• Quality structure: possessing correct views on life, values, and aesthetics, as well as a strong physique and willpower.

Research Directions

The program has five research directions:

1. Synthetic Biology and Systems Biology: conducting systematic research on synthetic biology and microbial cell factories.
2. Cell Culture and Metabolic Engineering: developing biological manufacturing technologies for high-efficiency and green production of bulk chemicals and fine chemicals.
3. Biocatalysis and Pharmaceutical Processes: discovering and modifying biocatalysts, and developing biological transformation technologies for high-value products.
4. Biomaterials and Processing Engineering: synthesizing and processing biological-based high-polymer materials and their applications.
5. Bioenergy and Resource Environment Engineering: developing technologies for the resourceization of abandoned biological materials, such as straw, animal manure, and high-concentration organic wastewater.

Duration and Credits

The program has a standard duration of 4 years for full-time doctoral students, and 6-7 years for part-time doctoral students. The total credits required for the program are 12, including 6 credits for courses and 6 credits for compulsory modules.

Course Settings

The program includes the following courses:

• Public Courses:
  • English for Doctoral Candidates
  • Chinese Marxism and Contemporary Era
  • General Introduction to China
  • Comprehensive Chinese I
• Professional Courses:
  • Progress in Advanced Biological Manufacturing
  • Seminar
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Compulsory Modules:
  • Academic Report Training
  • Academic Lectures/Reports
  • Participation in International Academic Conferences or Overseas Exchange Visits

Compulsory Module Management

The program has three compulsory modules:

1. Academic Report Training: doctoral students must give at least four special reports during their studies.
2. Academic Lectures/Reports: doctoral students must participate in at least 15 academic seminars, including at least 2 humanistic and aesthetic quality lectures.
3. Participation in International Academic Conferences or Overseas Exchange Visits: doctoral students must participate in at least one international academic conference or overseas exchange visit for more than 3 months.

Dissertation

The dissertation is a comprehensive and systematic academic paper that reflects the doctoral student's research achievements and academic level. The dissertation must be completed under the guidance of a supervisor and must meet the basic requirements of a doctoral dissertation.

Graduation and Degree Awarding Standards

The graduation and degree awarding standards are based on the school's regulations. Doctoral students who complete the program and meet the requirements can apply for a doctoral degree.