I. Program Introduction

The Materials Science and Engineering program falls within the disciplinary domain of materials science and engineering. Rooted in materials science, chemistry, physics, and engineering, the program equips students with both foundational theories and practical skills in materials science and engineering, enabling them to apply this knowledge to materials synthesis, preparation, structure characterization, property evaluation, and application development. The program features a strong interdisciplinary emphasis at the intersection of science and engineering.

The program originated from the Metallic Materials and Heat Treatment major established at Jiaotong University in 1952, and it has since integrated specializations including casting, forging and welding, corrosion and protection, and polymer materials. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering was formally established in 1983, and it was designated as one of the nation's first key disciplines in 1988. In 1994, the department began enrolling undergraduate students under the unified Materials Science and Engineering major. The program has been recognized as a National Characteristic Specialty, selected for the "Excellent Engineer Training Program," and named a Shaanxi Province First‑Class Major Construction Site. In 2019, it was further designated as a National First‑Class Undergraduate Major Construction Site.

The program boasts a high‑caliber, internationalized faculty of 110 members, with 51 of these members having received prestigious honors or having been admitted to national talent programs, including the Thousand Talents Plan, Changjiang Scholars, and Distinguished Young Scholars. The program's comprehensive strength and professional standing—particularly in the field of mechanical behavior of materials—rank among the top in China and are internationally advanced.

The program is backed by exceptional disciplinary strength, as it belongs to a first‑tier national key discipline, a Ministry of Education "Double First‑Class" construction discipline, and a doctoral degree‑granting unit. It is also a key construction discipline under the 211 and 985 Projects, and it has consistently achieved top rankings in successive discipline evaluations, with its research publications ranking in the top 1‰ globally according to ESI. The program provides first‑class undergraduate practice teaching platforms, including a State Key Laboratory (rated "Excellent" in its most recent assessment), seven provincial‑level research and engineering centers, and a provincial‑level experimental teaching demonstration center. Faculty members have undertaken a substantial number of major research projects, such as those under the 973 Program, the 863 Program, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the National Key R&D Programs, and they have received over ten national‑level second‑prize or higher awards for scientific research and teaching achievements.

Throughout its long history, the program has consistently adhered to the educational principles of "undergraduate education as the foundation" and "fostering virtue through education," while actively exploring "New Engineering" pathways in materials disciplines. It has established an internationalized curriculum system and innovative practice teaching platforms, and it has continuously deepened the teaching philosophy of "student‑centered, outcome‑oriented, and quality‑enhanced." The program has cultivated distinctive talent development features characterized by "high starting point, solid foundation, rigorous standards, and emphasis on practice," and it has created a first‑class talent cultivation model for materials science that is internationalized, integrated, and focused on cultivating outstanding innovators. Graduates possess solid foundational theories and professional knowledge, materials engineering design capabilities, innovative abilities, and a lifelong learning awareness and capacity. They are well prepared to work in fields such as materials, mechanical engineering, aerospace, electronics, and information. Employers highly value them for their strong sense of responsibility, ethical integrity, outstanding professional competence, and ability to proactively adapt to diverse environments and roles. The program has produced a host of distinguished alumni, including Yao Yinliang, Wang Huaming, Pu Zhongjie, and Fan Deng.

Politecnico di Milano, founded in 1863, is Italy's oldest and largest technical university, and it is also a globally influential research‑oriented institution in engineering. Renowned for its strengths in engineering, architecture, and design, its Materials Science and Engineering discipline ranks among the world's top 50 in the QS World University Subject Rankings. The university has established a systematic research portfolio in functional materials, nanostructured materials, smart materials, and sustainable manufacturing systems. Its faculty comprises over 100 professionals, including multiple members of the European Academy of Sciences and distinguished materials experts.

Through its cooperative education program with Politecnico di Milano, and guided by the "Grand Design" development positioning of the XJTU‑POLIMI Joint School of Design and Innovation, this program is committed to forging a new, world‑class talent cultivation model for materials science and engineering—one that is nationally leading and industry‑recognized. The program undertakes the four core functions of international exchange, talent cultivation, scientific research, and industry service, and it leverages the complementary strengths of both universities through distinctive teaching, research, service, and exchange initiatives. This collaboration enhances students' capacity to address practical engineering challenges in the materials industry and broadens their international perspectives, thereby establishing a new framework for cultivating outstanding innovative talent and achieving mutually beneficial cooperation between the two institutions.

II. Educational Objectives

In response to the demands of socioeconomic development for highly qualified professionals in materials science and engineering, the program aims to cultivate graduates with a solid foundation in mathematics and natural sciences, comprehensive knowledge of materials science and engineering fundamentals, extensive specialized knowledge, and substantial practical experience. Graduates will possess sound character, humanistic sensibilities, social responsibility, global vision, scientific literacy, a spirit of inquiry and innovation, and leadership qualities. They will be capable of engaging in materials technology development, product R&D, scientific research, and project management in fields including materials, mechanical engineering, aerospace, electronics, and information. They will also be able to solve complex materials‑related engineering problems across industries and assume leadership roles that drive progress in these fields.

After approximately five years of work experience in relevant fields following graduation, students are expected to achieve the following outcomes:

(1) Engineering Problem Analysis and Resolution: Graduates will be able to apply integrated knowledge of mathematics, natural sciences, engineering fundamentals, and foundational theories and specialized knowledge of materials to analyze and solve complex engineering problems in the materials domain. They will analyze, identify, and articulate the entire lifecycle of materials—from design and preparation to application and recycling—so as to determine material systems and component processing techniques that meet specific requirements. They will also skillfully resolve practical engineering issues in materials development and application.

(2) Materials Research and Development: Graduates will be able to proficiently apply scientific principles and diverse methodologies to conduct research on engineering and scientific problems in materials. They will design experimental protocols, integrate modern analytical and testing techniques for simulation and prediction, and develop and design new materials and products. They will demonstrate familiarity with the current state and frontiers of their specialized materials field and will possess the capability to engage in innovative product design and development.

(3) Social Responsibility and Impact Assessment: Graduates will possess a strong foundation in humanities and social sciences, coupled with a robust sense of responsibility. Within the materials engineering domain, they will understand the social, health, safety, legal, and cultural issues throughout the lifecycle of material development, production, application, and recycling. They will effectively assess the impacts on users, public health, the environment, and sustainable social development, while conscientiously adhering to professional ethics, standards, and responsibilities in materials engineering practice.

(4) Teamwork and Leadership: Graduates will function effectively as key members or leaders in multidisciplinary teams, and they will communicate and collaborate efficiently with team members and industry peers on critical issues in materials. They will apply engineering management principles and economic decision‑making methods to manage materials‑related projects independently or collaboratively.

(5) Global Awareness and Lifelong Learning: Graduates will cultivate a global perspective and competitive awareness, and they will stay informed of domestic and international developments in the field. They will communicate and interact effectively on materials‑related issues in cross‑cultural contexts. They will develop the capacity and habit of autonomous and lifelong learning so as to adapt to the demands of globalization and engage in international collaborative teams.

(6) International Competitiveness: Graduates will foster broad international perspectives and cross‑cultural communication skills, and they will remain current with international frontiers in engineering and technology. They will understand and apply internationally accepted engineering standards and management norms, and they will demonstrate the comprehensive ability for professional exchange, technological innovation, and organizational collaboration in multinational research teams and global engineering projects. They will exhibit professional competence and social responsibility in multicultural environments and will possess the potential for sustained development and leadership in international competition.

III. Graduation Requirements

Based on the program's distinctive characteristics, the following 14 requirements have been formulated for graduation. Upon completion of the program, students are expected to meet each of these requirements:

A. Engineering Knowledge: Students are expected to systematically master mathematics, natural sciences, engineering fundamentals, and the foundational theories and specialized knowledge of materials science and engineering. They are also able to apply this foundational knowledge, including materials science fundamentals, materials engineering basics, materials research methods, and materials properties, to analyze complex engineering problems in the materials field.

B. Problem Analysis: Graduates can apply fundamental principles of mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering sciences to identify and formulate complex engineering problems in material design, preparation, and application. Through their specialized knowledge and literature research, they analyze these problems using the relationships among material composition, processing, microstructure, and properties, and they ultimately derive valid conclusions.

C. Design/Development of Solutions: Students are able to design and develop solutions for complex materials engineering problems that demonstrate innovative thinking, while taking into full consideration social, health, safety, legal, cultural, and environmental factors. They obtain material systems, components, or process flows that meet specific requirements.

D. Research: Graduates are capable of conducting research on complex materials engineering problems based on scientific principles and using systematic methodologies. According to the service conditions of components or systems, they can reasonably select material research systems, formulate research plans, design experimental protocols, construct experimental systems, and conduct experiments safely and effectively. They analyze and discuss experimental results, synthesize information to characterize the composition‑processing‑microstructure‑property relationships, and finally arrive at reasonable and valid conclusions.

E. Use of Modern Tools: Students have the competence to develop, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, modern engineering tools, and information technology tools to address complex materials engineering problems. They utilize advanced materials preparation equipment, testing instruments, and analytical characterization methods to analyze, simulate, and predict the composition, preparation, and properties of representative materials, and they fully understand and can critically assess the limitations of these tools.

F. Engineering and Sustainable Development: Graduates can conduct reasonable analyses based on practical application scenarios in materials engineering. They are familiar with materials property testing, evaluation, and characterization, and they understand relevant intellectual property, policies, and regulations. They evaluate the impacts of materials selection, preparation, and application on health, safety, environment, law, economics, and sustainable social development, and they understand the responsibilities they bear.

G. Engineering Ethics and Professional Standards: Students possess the awareness of serving the nation and the people through engineering, along with strong humanities and social science literacy and a sense of social responsibility. They can understand and practice engineering ethics, abide by professional ethics, standards, and relevant laws in materials engineering practice, and fulfill their professional responsibilities.

H. Individuals and Teams: Graduates can assume roles as individual contributors, team members, and particularly team leaders in multidisciplinary teams. They work independently or collaboratively within teams, and they have the capacity to organize, coordinate, and direct team efforts.

I. Communication: Students can communicate effectively on complex issues in materials development and application with industry peers and the general public, including through writing literature review reports and using professional documents, oral presentations, and other formats to clearly express ideas or respond to critiques. They also possess a global perspective and cross‑cultural written and oral communication skills, enabling them to communicate effectively in cross‑cultural contexts.

J. Project Management: Graduates understand and master engineering management principles and economic decision‑making methods. In the process of materials development, they can conduct full‑cycle, full‑process economic analysis and process management for the design or implementation of materials or products.

K. Lifelong Learning: Students are aware of developmental trends and scientific frontiers in materials. They have the consciousness of autonomous and lifelong learning, master self‑learning methods, and possess the ability to continuously learn and adapt to new developments.

L. Critical Thinking: Graduates demonstrate the ability to think independently and rationally. They can objectively evaluate different viewpoints, hypotheses, and experimental results in materials science and engineering based on facts and evidence, identify potential issues, and propose reasoned improvements. In scientific research and engineering practice, they can apply logical reasoning and systematic thinking to solve complex problems and form innovative insights and independent judgments.

M. International Competitiveness: Students possess an international perspective and global awareness. They understand the international development status and trends in materials science and engineering, master internationally accepted technical standards and communication norms, and are able to communicate, collaborate, and compete effectively in international research or engineering environments. They are also capable of performing professionally in multinational enterprises, international research institutions, or global engineering projects.

N. Knowledge of International Rules: Graduates understand and comply with international regulations, industry standards, intellectual property, and trade rules relevant to materials science and engineering. They are familiar with international scientific ethics and research norms, and they can properly handle issues of technological cooperation, achievement exchange, and intellectual property in a global context. They possess the awareness and ability to conduct scientific research and engineering practice in accordance with international rules.

IV. Core Discipline and Related Disciplines

Core Discipline:

Materials Science and Engineering

Related Disciplines:

Mechanical Engineering

Metallurgical Engineering

Chemical Engineering and Technology

V. Duration of Study, Degree Conferral, and Graduation Requirements

Duration of Study: 4 years

Degrees Conferred:

Bachelor of Engineering(Materials Science and Engineering), Xi'an Jiaotong University;

Laurea in Ingegneria dei Materiali e delle Nanotecnologie, Politecnico di Milano.

Graduation Requirements: To qualify for graduation, students must complete the 154 credits stipulated in the program curriculum, along with 8 credits of extracurricular practice (including a minimum of 2 credits in innovation and entrepreneurship courses, a minimum of 2 credits in aesthetic education courses, and no fewer than 32 class hours of labor education). Students may choose from four graduation pathways based on their individual interests and strengths: the General Track, the Scientific Research Track, the Interdisciplinary Integration Track, and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Track. Students must meet all requirements in the domains of morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor education, as specified in the Detailed Rules for Undergraduate Labor Education Training of Xi’an Jiaotong University, the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of College English Courses at Xi’an Jiaotong University, the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of Physical Education at Xi’an Jiaotong University, the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Courses at Xi’an Jiaotong University, and the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of General Education Courses at Xi’an Jiaotong University. Furthermore, students must satisfy the requirements for and receive certification of international experience as stipulated for Xi’an Jiaotong University undergraduates. Upon meeting these criteria, students will be permitted to graduate and will be awarded a graduation certificate. Degrees will be conferred in accordance with the Regulations on Undergraduate Academic Management and Degree Conferral of Xi’an Jiaotong University. Concurrently, students who meet the undergraduate degree requirements of Politecnico di Milano will be awarded the Laurea in Ingegneria dei Materiali e delle Nanotecnologie by Politecnico di Milano.