Major Overview

The Polymer Materials and Engineering Major is based on the first-level discipline of Materials Science and Engineering, adhering to the concept of "growing together with the rise of Guangdong and contributing to its development" to serve the strategic emerging industrial clusters in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It focuses on cultivating innovative engineering and technical talents. After four years of undergraduate study, students will be able to master the professional knowledge of polymer materials and engineering, acquire the ability to independently analyze and solve practical problems, as well as sustainable development skills. They will possess an innovative spirit and high comprehensive quality, enabling them to engage in scientific research, technology development, process design, production manufacturing, analysis and testing, business management, and other related work in the fields of polymer material preparation, modification, processing and molding, mold design and manufacturing. Currently, the program enrolls about 100 students each year, and many graduates have become the backbone of economic and social development in Guangdong, especially in the Greater Bay Area.

Major profile

1. Accredited by Engineering Education Professional Certification

2. Selected as a National-level First-class Undergraduate Major Construction Site

3.Ranked 21st jointly in the 2024 Alumni Association's Ranking of Polymer Materials and Engineering Majors in Universities of China

4. Ranked 32nd (B++) in the 2023 Ranking of Polymer Materials and Engineering Majors in Universities of China by the Specialty Evaluated by Shanghai Ranking

Major Development

This major was established in 1991 with the specialty of Plastic Mold and associated diploma-level enrollment. In 1994, the specialty of Polymer Material Forming and Mold Processing and associated undergraduate enrollment was introduced. In 1998, the specialty of Polymer Material Forming and Mold Processing was renamed to Polymer Materials and Engineering, and the diploma-level enrollment for the Plastic Mold specialty was discontinued. In 2000, undergraduate enrollment for the Polymer Materials and Engineering Major began. In 2005, the major obtained the master's degree granting authority for the second-level discipline of Polymer Physics and Chemistry (science). In 2017, the materials discipline entered the top 1% of the ESI rankings. In 2019, the second-level discipline of Polymer Materials and Engineering was approved to set up Pearl River Scholar positions. In 2020, the major entered the ranks of national first-class professional construction. In 2022, the major passed the Engineering Education Professional Certification.

Training Objectives

To cultivate qualified builders and reliable successors for the socialist cause in the field of polymer materials and engineering who meet the needs of national and local economic and social development, embodying comprehensive development in morality, intelligence, physique, aesthetics, and labor. The young students are supposed to possess profound humanities and natural science qualities, a solid professional theoretical foundation, familiarity with the basic principles, professional skills, and research methods of polymer material preparation, processing, and application. They have systematic thinking for solving engineering problems, innovative potential, and an international perspective. They also exhibit excellent teamwork spirit, strong organizational management and communication skills, and a scientific approach to lifelong learning. These high-quality, innovative engineering and technical talents are capable of engaging in scientific research, technology development, process design, production, analysis and testing, engineering management, and business operations in the field of polymer materials and engineering.

Graduation Requirements

Students primarily study the basic theories and fundamental knowledge of polymer materials science and engineering, and undergo basic training in foreign languages, computer technology, synthesis and processing of polymer materials, analysis and testing, mold design, and other related knowledge and skills. Graduates should acquire the following knowledge and abilities:

(1) Engineering Knowledge: to apply mathematics, natural sciences, engineering fundamentals, and professional knowledge to solve complex engineering problems in the preparation, processing, and application of polymer materials.

(2) Problem Analysis: to apply the basic principles of mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering sciences to identify, express, and analyze complex engineering problems in the preparation, processing, and application of polymer materials through literature research, leading to valid conclusions.

(3) Design/Development of Solutions: to design solutions for complex engineering problems related to polymer materials, create systems, units (components), or process flows that meet specific needs, and demonstrate innovative thinking in the design process, considering factors such as society, health, safety, law, culture, and the environment.

(4) Research: to conduct research on complex engineering problems in the preparation, processing, and application of polymer materials based on scientific principles and using scientific methods, including designing experiments, analyzing and interpreting data, and drawing reasonable and effective conclusions through information synthesis.

(5) Use of Modern Tools: to develop, select, and use appropriate technologies, resources, modern engineering tools, and information technology tools for complex engineering problems in the preparation, processing, and application of polymer materials. They should be able to predict and simulate complex engineering problems in the field of polymer materials and engineering and understand the limitations of these tools.

(6) Engineering and Society: Based on knowledge of engineering-related contexts, they should be able to conduct reasonable analysis and evaluate the impact of professional engineering practices and solutions to complex engineering problems in polymer materials on society, health, safety, law, and culture, and understand the responsibilities they should bear.

(7) Environment and Sustainable Development: They should be able to understand and evaluate the impact of engineering practices on environmental and societal sustainable development in addressing complex engineering problems in the field of polymer materials and engineering.

(8) Humanistic and Scientific Literacy and Social Responsibility: They should possess good humanistic and scientific literacy and a sense of social responsibility, be able to understand and comply with engineering ethics and norms in engineering practice, and fulfill their responsibilities.

(9) Individual and Team: They should be able to take on roles as individuals, team members, and leaders in multidisciplinary teams.

(10) Communication: They should be able to effectively communicate and exchange ideas with industry peers and the public on complex engineering problems in the field of polymer materials and engineering, including writing reports and design documents, making presentations, and expressing ideas clearly. They should also possess a certain level of international vision and be able to communicate in cross-cultural contexts.

(11) Project Management: Understand and master the principles of project management and economic decision-making methods, and be able to apply them in a multidisciplinary environment.

(12) Lifelong Learning: Possess a consciousness of autonomous learning and lifelong learning, as well as the ability to continuously learn, innovate, and adapt to development.

Main Courses

Introduction to Polymer Materials and Engineering, Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Physics, Plastic Materials and Formulation Design, Specialized English, Fundamentals of Polymerization Reaction Engineering, Modern Polymer Testing, Polymer-based Composites, Polymer Processing Technology, Plastic Mold Design, Polymer Recycling and Re-engineering. Polymer Synthesis Technology, Fine Polymer Chemical Engineering, Rubber Technology, Polymer Processing Rheology, Polymer Modification Technology, Engineering Plastics and Applications, Polymer Combustion and Flame Retardant Technology, Carbon Fibers and Carbon Materials, Polymer Degradation and Stabilization, Polymer Additives, Functional Polymer Materials, Industrial Coatings and Adhesives, Environmentally Friendly Polymer Materials, Light Curing Technology and Applications, Energy and Information Materials, Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces, CAD/CAM for Plastic Molds, Rubber Formulation and Product Design, Polymer Molecular Design, Mold Manufacturing Technology, Plastic Product Design, Chemical Fiber Technology, Plastic Packaging and Printing Technology.

Faculty Strength

Affiliated with the School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, it is a key construction school for the high-level university project in Guangdong Province. The first-level discipline of Materials Science and Engineering is a key construction discipline in the third phase of Guangdong's "211 Project," a peak discipline in Guangdong, and a key construction discipline in Guangdong's "Enhancing the Strengths of Universities and Colleges" program in higher education. In the fourth round of discipline assessments by the Ministry of Education, Materials Science and Engineering received a B-rating. In July 2017, the materials discipline entered the top 1% of ESI rankings. The second-level discipline of Polymer Materials and Engineering, which supports this major, is a key construction discipline under the first-level discipline. Currently, there are 32 full-time teachers, including 10 professors (including 1 national-level high-level talent, 1 National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars/leading talent in scientific and technological innovation in Guangdong Province, and 1 Guangdong Youth Zhujiang Scholar), 19 associate professors (including other associate senior titles), and 31 teachers with doctor’s degrees, accounting for 96.9% of the full-time teachers.

Professional Practice

The Polymer Materials and Engineering major currently has two key laboratories in Guangdong Province (the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Soft Condensed Matter and the Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Energy Storage Materials and Devices) and one Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technology Center (the Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Green Manufacturing of Polymers and Functional Membrane Materials). A professional experimental platform for Polymer Materials and Engineering has been established, comprising three major professional laboratories focusing on polymer synthesis and preparation, polymer processing and molding, and polymer structure and performance, as well as a provincial experimental teaching demonstration center for materials engineering and a provincial experimental teaching demonstration center for material forming, manufacturing, and advanced mold technology. We have established stable off-campus internship and practice bases with numerous renowned enterprises both inside and outside Guangdong Province, including Kingfa Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Starsource Material Technology Co., Ltd., Yinbao Mountain New Technology Co., Ltd., Guangdong Liansu Technology Industry Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Jitai Chemical Co., Ltd., and launched a "3+1" school-enterprise joint training program, providing students with excellent internship and practice conditions.

Employment and Further Study

Graduates of this major are highly welcomed and recognized in the job market, and the employment situation for students is generally favorable. In recent years, the average employment rate for this major has remained above 97%, with 90% of graduates pursuing further education or employment opportunities in Guangdong. Serving Guangdong, the major has contributed a large number of qualified talents to the region's economic development and has received consistent recognition and widespread praise from all sectors of society in Guangdong.

Notable enterprises that have hired our graduates include BYD Company Ltd., PetroChina Company Limited, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd., China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China Electrical Equipment Research Institute Co., Ltd., Foshan Shunde Wanhe Electrical Accessories Co., Ltd., Bank of China Limited, Lianshuo Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Liby Enterprise Group Co., Ltd., Guangdong Midea Kitchen Appliances Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Sunwoda Electronic Co., Ltd., Kingfa Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Guangdong Hisense Electronics Co., Ltd., Lingwang Elevator Co., Ltd., and Foshan Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd.

The rate of students pursuing graduate studies has been increasing year by year. In the past three years, the graduate study enrollment rate has exceeded 30%, and for the Materials Innovation Class, it has surpassed 50%. Every year, students also go abroad for further studies, mainly to Germany, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong, China.

Student Awards

Students provided with a variety of extracurricular scientific and technological activities as well as extracurricular innovation and entrepreneurship activities can choose suitable extracurricular activities based on their interests and hobbies, allowing them to "let themselves go" and fully engage. Students actively participate in various colorful extracurricular activities and win awards each year.