Ⅰ. Program Introduction
This program responds to the trend of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and focuses on the interdisciplinary integration requirements of Industry 4.0. It breaks the traditional discipline-based education model and path dependence by taking the outstanding mechanical engineering disciplines of Xi’an Jiaotong University and Politecnico di Milano as its core foundation. It also integrates information and communication engineering, computer science, industrial engineering and other related disciplines to cultivate professional, innovative and top-tier engineering talents. These talents are equipped with an international vision, systematic thinking ability and cross-border integration capacity, and can adapt to the emerging industrial forms of future intelligent manufacturing.
Mechanical engineering at Xi’an Jiaotong University, the primary supporting discipline of this program, is one of the first national key first-level disciplines and a “Double First-Class” construction discipline under the Ministry of Education. It ranks among the top echelon in the latest round of national discipline assessments and also takes a leading place in global university rankings for mechanical engineering. The discipline is home to 24 national and provincial-level research platforms, including the State Key Laboratory of Precision and Micro-Nano Manufacturing Technology and the 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of High-End Manufacturing Equipment. It also possesses two national experimental teaching demonstration centers for basic mechanical engineering and mechanical engineering. In addition, a comprehensive intelligent manufacturing practice teaching platform featuring “virtual-real integration” and supporting off-campus and remote interaction has been established on both Xingqing Campus and Innovation Port Campus, which provides solid support for the cultivation of intelligent manufacturing talents.
Mechanical engineering at Politecnico di Milano, another major supporting discipline, enjoys a world-renowned reputation. It maintains close connections with high-end manufacturing industries such as automotive, energy, aerospace and aviation. It offers intelligent manufacturing-related research directions including advanced propulsion, mechanical system design, production engineering and mechatronics. With the concept of “Italian design”, it enhances the innovation, aesthetics, functionality and manufacturability of products and holds a world-leading position in renewable energy, robotics, networked collaborative manufacturing and other fields. The discipline attaches great importance to talent training, emphasizes the combination of theoretical foundation and engineering practice, and integrates practical projects into a large number of courses to develop students’ ability to solve real engineering problems.
In line with the global “STEAM” trend of engineering education that integrates science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, the program promotes educational innovation and Sino-foreign cooperative education. It adheres to the talent cultivation philosophy of “solid foundation, strict requirements, emphasis on practice and pursuit of innovation”, optimizes the OBE-oriented talent training system and mode, and cultivates leading talents in intelligent manufacturing with a global vision.
Ⅱ. Educational Objectives
Graduates of this program are expected to possess first-class moral conduct and the core personal values of “Diligence, Sincerity, Perseverance and Tolerance”. They will have a sound outlook on engineering society, engineering systems, engineering ethics and an international vision. They will master extensive basic theories of science and engineering as well as solid professional knowledge covering the entire product life cycle, such as intelligent design, intelligent production and intelligent operation and maintenance.
They can comprehensively and innovatively apply technologies including big data, artificial intelligence and cloud computing in positions such as product development, technical research, production management and scientific research in intelligent manufacturing and related fields. They can also integrate non-technical factors including society, law, safety, culture and environment to effectively solve complex engineering problems, achieve continuous self-improvement, and show the potential of modern leading engineering and technological talents.
After about five years of self-study and industrial practice after graduation, graduates will develop the following capabilities:
Objective 1: A solid foundation in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering will be formed, together with systematic professional knowledge of intelligent manufacturing. Graduates will be able to comprehensively use big data, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other tools to carry out the development of complex products and the operation of production systems.
Objective 2: Graduates will gain analytical, practical and innovative abilities to solve complex engineering problems in intelligent products and production systems from a global and systematic perspective by balancing technical and non-technical factors. They will also acquire the ability to operate and manage engineering projects.
Objective 3: Excellent teamwork spirit and communication skills will be cultivated, along with an international vision and cross-cultural abilities in communication, competition and cooperation.
Objective 4: Graduates will have good moral character and professional norms, and understand laws, regulations, policies, standards and the concept of sustainable development related to the intelligent engineering industry. They will hold values consistent with modern industrial society and a strong sense of social and professional responsibility.
Objective 5: Critical thinking, the spirit of lifelong learning and the ability for continuous improvement will be developed. Graduates will be able to understand the impact of extensive technological changes on engineering and society, and adapt to the development and changes of technologies and concepts in related professional fields.
Ⅲ. Graduation Requirements
Graduates of this program shall meet the following graduation requirements:
A. Engineering Knowledge
A systematic command of mathematics, natural sciences, engineering fundamentals and professional knowledge in the field of intelligent manufacturing will be achieved. These knowledge systems can be used separately or in combination to solve complex engineering problems related to intelligent manufacturing.
B. Problem Analysis
Basic principles of mathematics, natural sciences, computing and engineering sciences can be used to identify and describe complex engineering problems in intelligent design, intelligent production and intelligent operation and maintenance. Sustainable development requirements will be fully considered in literature-based analysis to draw effective conclusions.
C. Design/Development of Solutions
Solutions with innovative awareness can be designed and developed for complex engineering problems in the intelligent manufacturing of modern industrial products and systems, on the premise of comprehensively considering engineering constraints and social factors such as law, culture and environment.
D. Research
Complex engineering problems in the intelligent manufacturing of modern industrial products and systems can be studied based on scientific principles and appropriate methods. This process includes experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, and reasonable and effective conclusions can be obtained through the integrated use of different research methods or information synthesis.
E. Use of Modern Tools
Appropriate technologies, resources and tools can be selected, applied and developed for complex engineering problems in the intelligent manufacturing of modern industrial products and systems. Modern engineering and information technology tools can be applied throughout the whole process of intelligent manufacturing on the basis of understanding their limitations.
F. Engineering and Sustainable Development
When solving complex intelligent manufacturing engineering problems, relevant background knowledge can be used to understand, analyze and evaluate the impact of engineering practices on health, safety, the environment, law, and economic and social sustainable development. Graduates will recognize the engineering and social responsibilities that intelligent manufacturing professionals should undertake, and integrate the macro engineering outlook and sustainable development concept into the whole process of product design, development and operation for complex intelligent manufacturing problems.
G. Engineering Ethics and Professional Norms
A sense of serving the country and benefiting the people through engineering will be fostered, accompanied by strong humanistic and social literacy and a profound sense of social responsibility. Graduates will understand and practice engineering ethics, abide by professional ethics, norms and relevant laws in engineering practice to solve complex intelligent manufacturing problems, and fulfill their professional responsibilities.
H. Individuals and Teams
Various roles including independent worker, team member and team leader can be played in multidisciplinary teams, with strong capabilities in collaboration, organization and management.
I. Communication
Effective communication and exchange can be conducted with peers in the field and the general public on complex intelligent manufacturing issues. Graduates are able to write reports and design documents, make presentations, express ideas clearly and respond to instructions. With a certain international vision, they can understand and respect linguistic and cultural differences, and carry out communication and exchange in cross-cultural contexts.
J. Project Management
Engineering management principles and economic decision-making methods are understood and mastered, and can be applied in the context of intelligent manufacturing and in the involved multidisciplinary environments.
K. Lifelong Learning
An awareness of independent learning, lifelong learning and critical thinking will be maintained. Graduates can understand the impact of extensive technological changes on engineering and society, and have the ability to continuously learn and adapt to the development and changes of technologies and concepts in related fields.
Ⅳ. Core Discipline and Related Disciplines
Core Discipline: Mechanical Engineering Related Disciplines: Instrument Science and Technology, Information and Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, Control Science and Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Management Science and Engineering.
Ⅴ. Length of Schooling, Degree Conferral and Graduation Requirements
Length of Schooling: 4 years
Degrees Conferred: Bachelor of Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University Laurea in Ingegneria Meccanica, Politecnico di Milano
Graduation Requirements: Students must complete 149 credits specified in the professional training program and 8 credits of extracurricular practice, including no less than 2 credits in innovation and entrepreneurship courses, no less than 2 credits in aesthetic education courses and no less than 32 class hours of labor education. They must also pass the military training assessment and meet the requirements of the Detailed Rules for Undergraduate Labor Education Training of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Detailed Rules for the Implementation of College English Courses at Xi’an Jiaotong University, Detailed Rules for the Implementation of Physical Education at Xi’an Jiaotong University, Detailed Rules for the Implementation of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Courses at Xi’an Jiaotong University and Detailed Rules for the Implementation of General Education Courses at Xi’an Jiaotong University. Students who meet all these conditions will be allowed to graduate and obtain a graduation certificate.
Those who conform to the Regulations on Undergraduate Academic Management and Degree Conferral of Xi’an Jiaotong University will be awarded a corresponding degree and a degree certificate. At the same time, students who meet the undergraduate graduation and degree conferral requirements of Politecnico di Milano will be granted a bachelor’s degree certificate by Politecnico di Milano.
