Specialty History
Marine Hydrography specialty was started in the Department of Hydrography, East China Technical University of Water Resources in 1957. The curriculum is wide, not only the basic specialized courses for Marine Technology specilalty——Marine Hydrography, Regional Oceanography, Marine Hydrographic Observation (Survey), Waves, Tides, Ocean Currents, but also science courses Marine Physics (Marine Acoustics, Electricity etc.), Marine Chemistry, Marine Geology, Marine Biology.
In 1958, the Ministry of Education decided to suspend the Marine Hydrology specialty and the students enrolled in 1957 were combined to Terrestrial Hydrology. The enrollment of undergraduates in Marine Hydrology specialty was resumed in 1960, and renamed specialty as Ocean Engineering Hydrology. The Ocean Engineering Hydrology was renamed as Coastal and Ocean Engineering in 1993. The study of basic knowledge in ocean engineering design was added. Undergraduates of Marine Technology specialty had been enrolled since 2001.
The current Talents Training Plan (TTP) was complied in 2003, modified in 2008. The major contents of the TTP include general education, subject foundation, vocational education and practice, and has been well-executed. In 2008, Marine Technology specialty was positioned as science major, and Marine Science specialty was applied to Ministry of Education. The specialized courses for Marine Technology speciality in the TTP were adjusted and four core curriculum in Marine Sciences specialty were added in 2008. The modifications are mainly in the following aspects: (1) Emphasis on mathematics. The original Advanced Mathematics in engineering has been changed to Advanced Mathematics in physics. (2) Emphasis on establishing Physics concepts. (3) Highlight marine features. Four core curriculum in Marine Sciences specialty are introduced. (4) Focus on cultivating the practical ability in marine sciences research and application research and the abilities in oceanographic survey and data processing are greatly strengthened. (5) Strength the practical teaching. Students are Encouraged to participate the teachers' scientific projects.
The curriculum in the cultivation of students' literacy and ability has been reinforced in the new teaching plan. With further development in the teaching reform, we are expecting major breakthrough in curriculum system and talents cultivation, promoting brand specialty construction.
Physical Oceanography is one of the key subjects in Jiangsu Province, recruiting master and Ph.D. students. The marine sciences undergraduates can start their master program in Physical Oceanography after passing the national entrance examination for postgraduate, and the excellent ones get enrolled without examinations. The master students in Physical Oceanography can apply for the combined master-doctor program, move to the doctoral study after 2 years of master study.
Specialty Objectives
Solidly master the required basic theory and application knowledge in Mathematics, Physics, Mechanics, Foreign Language and Computer Science etc.;
Systematically acquire professional knowledge in marine sciences and coastal (including ocean engineering, ocean environment and ocean ecology) speciality, especially basic theory, basic knowledge and application skills in Physical Oceanography;
Strong computer application skill;
Proficiently read and communicate in foreign language;
Well-trained in marine sciences research;
Good science literacy and innovation spirit, Strong self-learning ability and the ability of working independently.
Specialty Positioning
To implement the education policy of all-round development, to meet the needs of economic development in the 21st century, high-level talents with solid theoretical knowledge in marine sciences, abundant professional knowledge, strong practical ability and innovation spirit have been cultivated. The graduates are mainly occupied with theoretical research, application research in marine sciences and related areas, military oceanography, harbour, waterway and coastal engineering, and marine related teaching and management.
Faculty Status and Development
Currently, there are 21 faculty members, 5 professors, 4 Ph.D. supervisors, 4 associate professors. 8 faculty members, about 45% of the total number have recevied their Ph.D. degree and several of our faculty members are pursing their Ph.D. degree.
For the rapid development of the specialty, 20 excellent talents with Ph.D. degree in Physical Oceanography will be introduced by the year 2015 establishing a marine science talent team with reasonable age structure and scientific specialty structure.
