Material Forming and Control Engineering is a major within the field of Mechanical Engineering, encompassing the forming processes of metals and plastics, material forming equipment and control, mold design and manufacturing, product innovation design, and computer applications. It is an interdisciplinary field that integrates Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, and Control Engineering, serving as a core discipline in advanced manufacturing and intelligent manufacturing technologies. The objective of this major is to cultivate outstanding engineers with a solid foundational knowledge in Material Forming and Control Engineering. These engineers should systematically master the professional expertise in materials science, forming processes, forming equipment and molds, as well as forming equipment control. They should possess high scientific and humanistic qualities, rich engineering practice experience, a strong sense of social responsibility, self-learning awareness, and self-innovation. Furthermore, they should have a broad international perspective and be capable of leading the future development directions of industries and enterprises.

Major Profile

1. Recognized as the National First-Class Undergraduate Major Construction Program

2. Selected for the National Excellent Engineer Education and Training Plan

3. Designated as a unique and distinguished major with national significance

4. Recognized as a prestigious major within Guangdong Province

Major Development

(1) Initial Stage (Establishment to 2005)

1978: The Major of Casting Technology was established.

1982: The Major of Metal Materials and Heat Treatment was initiated.

1988: The Major of Mold Design and Manufacturing was launched.

1998: These programs merged to form the Material Forming and Control Engineering Major, and began recruiting students.

2005: The major was recognized as a provincial famous major, marking the preliminary formation of an effective talent cultivation system for Material Forming and Control Engineering.

(2) Ascending Stage (2006-2014)

Relying on the doctoral degree authorization in Materials Science and Engineering (first-level discipline) and Materials Processing Engineering (second-level discipline), a complete academic education system covering "bachelor's degree - master's degree - doctoral degree" was established.

2009: the major was selected as a national and Guangdong provincial characteristic major.

2014: the major was further designated as a Guangdong provincial comprehensive reform pilot major with continuous improvements in educational quality and level.

(3) Characteristic Innovation (2014-the Present)

During the construction of key disciplines in high-level universities, facing the significant demands of intelligent manufacturing in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Guangdong Province, the program has formed distinctive teaching methods, such as comprehensive mold design and manufacturing experiments and laboratory information-based teaching systems through innovative university-enterprise cooperation, as well as informationization and modularization of teaching.

2019: the application for engineering education professional certification was accepted.

2021: it was approved as a national first-class undergraduate major construction program.

Major Orientation

  The Material Forming and Control Engineering Major is rooted in the manufacturing industry of Guangdong Province and deeply embedded within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It aims to cultivate applied and innovative high-quality engineering talents who are well-adapted to the needs of modern manufacturing and economic development in Guangdong Province. These talents possess a strong sense of social responsibility, excellent professional ethics, and a solid foundation in humanities and social sciences. They are equipped to engage in research and development, production, management, and marketing in areas such as metal and plastic material forming processes and equipment control, mold design and manufacturing, product innovation design, and computer applications. Additionally, they possess an international perspective and the ability to cooperate and communicate effectively.

Training Objectives

  To cultivate high-quality, innovative, and composite talents who are well-suited to the needs of modern manufacturing and economic construction in Guangdong Province. To equip these talents with a deep sense of patriotism and loyalty to country, along with excellent professional ethics and a solid foundation in humanities and social sciences. They should systematically master the basic theories and applied knowledge of Material Forming and Control Engineering, and possess the ability to analyze and solve complex engineering problems in this field. They should exhibit an innovative spirit and continuous professional development capabilities, and will be able to engage in research and development, production, management, and marketing in various industries such as automobiles, electronics, home appliances, transportation, machinery, and equipment, specifically in areas related to metal and plastic material forming processes and equipment control, mold design and manufacturing, product innovation design, and computer applications. These talents should also possess an international perspective, a solid foundation, innovative abilities, cooperation and communication skills, as well as lifelong learning capabilities.

Training Objectives:

Objective 1 - Engineering Literacy:

Utilize fundamental theories and applied knowledge of Material Forming and Control Engineering to analyze and solve complex engineering problems in the field of metal and plastic material forming and control.

Objective 2 - Collaborative Innovation:

Possess the ability to organize and implement engineering projects in material processing and related fields, with a strong sense of teamwork and innovation. Aim to become high-quality, applied, and innovative talents in material processing and related fields.

Objective 3 - Ethical Cultivation:

Demonstrate good humanities and social science literacy, social responsibility, and professional ethics. Possess a well-rounded personality and hold correct values.

Objective 4 - Learning and Service:

Possess the ability and awareness for autonomous and lifelong learning, thereby possess competitiveness in employment and the capacity to serve society. Adapt to the needs of career development and align with the strategic needs of modern manufacturing and economic development in Guangdong.

Core Courses 

 The curriculum design for the Material Forming and Control Engineering Major aims to cultivate students' professional knowledge and advanced competencies, with a focus on developing abilities to solve complex material forming and control engineering problems, practical skills, and innovative capabilities. It incorporates compulsory courses that feature interdisciplinary integration and the fusion of multiple professional knowledge areas, elective courses that closely align with new technologies and processes, and practice-oriented courses jointly developed by universities and enterprises, achieving a complementation of knowledge and abilities, and enhancing students' advanced competencies.

 Core courses include: Fundamentals of Mechanical Design, Electrical and Electronic Technology, Fundamentals of Mechanical Manufacturing, Thermal Fluid Mechanics, Fundamentals of Measurement Technology and Control Engineering, Material Forming Processes and Equipment, Fundamentals of Materials Science, Computational Methods, Metallic Materials and Heat Treatment, Principles of Material Forming, Mold Manufacturing Processes, Material Forming Processes and Mold Design, Numerical Simulation of Material Forming, Material Forming Equipment and Control Technology, etc. Additionally, courses such as Additive Manufacturing Technology and Applications, and Artificial Intelligence have been newly introduced.

Practical Training

  The Material Forming and Control Engineering Major has established a multi-level, progressive innovation and entrepreneurship practice platform system, including "off-campus and on-campus internship and training bases, engineering practice education centers, provincial engineering technology research centers, and provincial key laboratories." It has also constructed a collaborative practice platform for teaching, scientific research, and talent cultivation that integrates multiple disciplines and facilitates "three-way integration."

  Independent practical teaching within the curriculum accounts for 30%, including engineering training, electrical and electronic technology practical training, cognitive internships, production internships, curriculum design for Fundamentals of Mechanical Design, comprehensive experiments for mold majors, stamping process and mold design, plastic molding process and mold design, and graduation design.

  The undergraduate laboratories updated various molding equipment such as 3D printers, mold CAM training platforms, CNC machines, electric injection molding machines, and servo press machines, to meet the needs of undergraduates for scientific research, course practice, internships, and training. Additionally, a virtual simulation laboratory has established, which includes virtual simulation systems for eight major molding processes: extrusion, injection molding, stamping, forging, die-casting, welding, blow molding, and rotational molding. It also includes two digital twin systems: a digital twin system for metallic materials engineering and a digital twin system for polymer materials and engineering. This combination of virtual and real teaching methods facilitates the enhancement of students' knowledge and skills.

Faculty Team

Over 85% of the faculty hold doctor’s degrees. In the past five years 1 young talent under the "Hundred Talents Program" and 4 doctoral talents in categories A and B have been successfully recruited, ensuring a robust reserve of talent for professional development. Consequently, all teachers under 40 years old now possess doctor’s degrees and overseas study experiences. A professional team with a ratio of approximately 1:1:2 among senior, middle-aged, and young teachers has been formed. Additionally, 3 teachers have been awarded the title of "Provincial Famous Teacher," and 6 teaching reform projects at the university level have been secured.

Employment

The Material Forming and Control Engineering Major, as a broad, high-tech, and interdisciplinary engineering technology major that combines mechanical engineering, materials engineering, control engineering, and computer application technology, has consistently offered excellent employment prospects. Graduates can pursue careers in research, development, design, and management within various manufacturing industries such as automobiles, machinery, electrical appliances, shipbuilding, electronic information equipment, home appliances, hardware, mold making, and more. They can also engage in research and development work in educational and scientific research institutions, or pursue further studies domestically and internationally. Additionally, they have opportunities to work in quality inspection, management, and marketing within enterprises, materials supply, economy and trade, and administrative departments.

Distinctive Advantages

(1) Targeting the Needs of Manufacturing Industry in Guangdong to Boost the Economic Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

Guangdong Province is a major manufacturing hub, and molds are fundamental forming equipment in industrial manufacturing, also known as the "mother of industry". Talents in material forming and processing, control, and mold design are urgently needed and will be in long-term demand by the manufacturing industry in Guangdong and even nationwide. Rooted in the land of Guangdong, this major adheres to the educational philosophy of "growing together with the rise of Guangdong and contributing to its development". Combining Guangdong's innovation-driven development strategy and the characteristics of industrial upgrading, it adapts to the trend of intelligent manufacturing and actively promotes the construction of emerging engineering disciplines. Following the training principle of "strong foundation, broad scope, and emphasis on practice", it takes molds as the main thread and emphasizes the balanced development of professional teaching in material science, forming technology, computer application, and artificial intelligence. Through the intersection of courses in materials, machinery, control, and information, a scientific and reasonable discipline structure is established, forming a distinctive training characteristic of the Material Forming and Control Engineering major tailored for Guangdong's manufacturing industry.

(2) Multi-mode and Diversified Training Programs

This major offers various distinctive class types to cater to personalized student development, including the "Craftsmanship Class," "GAC Class," "AION Class," "Aerospace and Aviation Class," and the jointly established "IC Class" with the Integrated Circuit College. A multi-level and progressive innovation and entrepreneurship practice platform system, including "off-campus and on-campus internship and training bases - engineering practice education centers - provincial engineering technology research centers - provincial key laboratories," is established to hone students' practical abilities. Students are encouraged to join research teams for scientific research training, participate in patent applications and paper publications, and engage in various academic competitions to cultivate their scientific research literacy.

(3) Cultivating Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talents through Diversified Practice Platforms

Relying on the Entrepreneurship and Innovation College, internship and training bases, engineering centers, and more, we share high-quality resources from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to build diversified and collaborative practice platforms, create an innovative and entrepreneurial atmosphere, and enhance the quality of education. We have established the Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for New Technologies in Metal Forming and Mold Making, the National Practice Education Center for Materials Processing and Energy Engineering, and the Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center for Material Forming, Manufacturing, and Advanced Mold Technology. In collaboration with Guangdong Forging and Pressing Machinery Plant Co., Ltd., we have jointly set up the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Forming Equipment. Together with Guangdong Dengyun Auto Parts Co., Ltd., we have established the Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Key Automotive Components. In partnership with Guangzhou Meiya Co., Ltd., we have created the Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Intelligent Stainless Steel Pipelines. We have also established industry-academia-research cooperation demonstration bases with several well-known provincial enterprises such as Hisense Kelon, Dongjiang Group, and Guangdong Hongtu, forming stable and good scientific research cooperation relationships.

Student Achievements

This major emphasizes the cultivation of students' innovative spirit. By organizing various scientific and technological activities, it nurtures students' practical abilities and innovative capabilities, promoting comprehensive quality education. Students have won over 100 awards in academic competitions, achieving excellent results in core professional discipline competitions and innovation and entrepreneurship competitions within the evaluation system of the Ministry of Education for academic competitions.