Academic Master's Program Training Plan

First-level Discipline Name: Intelligent Science and Technology

First-level Discipline Code: 1405

Second-level Discipline Name: Intelligent Science and Technology

Second-level Discipline Code: 140500

Applicable Degree Type: Academic Master's Degree

Applicable Academic Year: 2025

School Name: School of Future Technology

Form Filling Date: 2025-11-02

Formulated by: Graduate School of South China University of Technology

Signature of Chairman of the Sub-Committee (with School Seal): _______________

Signature of the Working Group：_______________

Group Leader: _______________

Members: _______________

Basic Information of the Training Plan for Intelligent Science and Technology (Academic Master's Degree)

1. Training Objectives

This program aims to cultivate senior scientific and technological talents with comprehensive development in morality, intellect, and physical fitness. Students will master solid basic theories and systematic professional knowledge, possess the ability to independently engage in scientific research and engineering system design, understand the development trends of modern intelligent science and technology, and have strong independent research and innovation capabilities, practical skills, and good international perspectives and competencies, as well as the courage to pioneer and innovate.

2. Research Areas

1. Artificial Intelligence

2. Intelligent Systems and Engineering

3. Artificial Intelligence Applications

3. Program Duration and Study Period

The program duration is 3 years, with a maximum study period of 5 years.

4. Training Methods

The training of academic master's students mainly adopts a combination of coursework, scientific research, academic exchanges, and social practice, implementing a mentor (mentor group) responsibility system. Adhering to the principle of equal emphasis on coursework and thesis, students are required to systematically learn theories and conduct in-depth scientific research, or solve engineering and technological problems in production practice. The focus is on cultivating students' ability to independently conduct scientific research and solve practical engineering problems, while strengthening education on current affairs, policies, ideals, legal discipline, moral character, and patriotism. Under the guidance of their mentors, master's students shall formulate a personal training plan within two weeks of enrollment.

5. Basic Requirements for Credits and Coursework

The total number of course credits shall not be less than 25, including no less than 18 credits for compulsory courses.

6. Compulsory Modules

6.1 Social Practice

Social practice is a compulsory training module for academic master's students. It shall be carried out under the guidance of mentors, and on-the-job master's students may be exempted from this module. After completing social practice, students shall fill in and submit the "SCUT Graduate Social Practice Assessment Form". Specific requirements shall be implemented in accordance with the "SCUT Implementation Measures for Incorporating Graduate Social Practice into Training Modules (Trial)".

6.2 Academic Activities

During their studies, master's students shall participate in more than 10 academic report activities (including 2 cross-secondary disciplines), and fill in the "SCUT Graduate Academic Conference (Lecture) Participation Assessment Form" for each activity. If a master's student participates in an international academic conference with English as the working language and publishes an English conference paper where SCUT is the first affiliated unit, and the student is the first author or the mentor is the first author with the student as the second author, this may be deemed as participating in 5 academic report activities.

7. Thesis (Graduation) Work

7.1 Thesis Topic Selection

The topic of the master's thesis (graduation thesis) shall be a subject with practical or theoretical significance. Thesis work should start as early as possible under the guidance of the mentor. Master's students must extensively read Chinese and foreign literature, with foreign literature as the main focus, and the total reading volume of foreign materials shall not be less than 150,000 to 200,000 English words. A literature review shall be completed before the thesis proposal based on literature review and research.

7.2 Thesis Proposal

The thesis proposal is a necessary foundation for master's thesis work and an important link to ensure thesis quality. It should start as early as possible under the guidance of the mentor and is generally required to be completed before the start of the third semester.

7.3 Midterm Thesis Assessment

The midterm thesis assessment is a phased evaluation of the progress of master's thesis work, aiming to urge students to summarize their research and ensure the smooth completion of the thesis. It must be completed before the start of the fifth semester.

8. Graduation and Degree Awarding

If a graduate completes all coursework and compulsory modules with qualified grades in accordance with the training plan within the period specified by the university, finishes the thesis and passes the defense, and meets the university's graduation requirements upon approval by the Sub-Committee of Academic Degree Evaluation of the school (department), they will be allowed to graduate and issued a graduation certificate.

Graduates shall submit an application for a degree to the university within the specified time. Those who meet the degree awarding requirements will be issued a degree certificate by the university.

9. Course Structure

Course Information of the Training Plan