1. Doctoral and Master's Degree Programs in Biology
I. Discipline Introduction and Development Trends
The first-level Biology discipline at Hainan University boasts a rich historical legacy, tracing back to the era of strategic reserves for natural rubber during the early years of the People's Republic of China. In 2010, this discipline obtained authorization to confer doctorate degrees, and in 2014, it established a postdoctoral research mobile station. During the early days of new China, the South China Academy of Tropical Crops (later renamed South China University of Tropical Agriculture) was established in response to the call from the Party Central Committee to foster self-reliance in the rubber industry. This led to an exponential growth of tropical bioscience, which achieved remarkable milestones in both fundamental research and practical applications within the realm of tropical crops. Noteworthy accolades earned by this discipline include the First Prize of National Technical Invention Award (1982), the First Prize of National Science & Technology Progress Award (1999), and the Second Prize of National Science & Technology Progress Award (1998), showcasing its immense contributions to the socioeconomic development of the tropical regions of China.
The biology discipline at Hainan University is dedicated to serving the vision of Hainan as a hub for health, ecology and internationalization. It is aimed at addressing pivotal biological challenges specific to tropical islands, thereby forging a distinct research niche. The research priorities of this discipline encompass the interactions between environment and genetics, health risk evaluation, risk prevention and control techniques for One Health, tropical vector-borne diseases and entomology, as well as emerging and infectious diseases alongside pathogen biology. Currently, this discipline leverages platforms such as the Hainan Key Laboratory of One Health, the Key Laboratory of Tropical Bioresources under the Ministry of Education and the Hainan Botany Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center to actively attract exceptional high-level talents and reinforce the development of foundational medical courses and domains. This strategic approach aims to enhance its capacity for social service and influence. Moreover, this discipline is poised to play a significant role in facilitating the sustainable growth of the international free trade port.
II. Educational Objectives and Competency Requirements
This discipline aims to foster highly specialized professionals in the field of biology who will contribute to the nation's advancement.
This discipline places great emphasis on cultivating doctoral candidates who possess a profound love for their homeland, embrace scientific principles, uphold honesty and integrity, and demonstrate a collaborative spirit. Furthermore, these individuals are expected to exhibit proficiency in applying the dialectical materialism of Marxism, while embodying a strong sense of ambition, social responsibility, and a dedication to scientific inquiry. The discipline values attributes such as rigor, humility, practicality, resilience and professionalism, all of which encompass a scientific mindset and innovative thinking. Students are expected to acquire a comprehensive and extensive knowledge base in biology, gaining familiarity with the latest advancements and evolving trends in both domestic and international research. Through systematic and immersive study, they will develop expertise and practical skills within the various subfields of biology. Additionally, they will cultivate the capacity to independently engage in scientific research and achieve groundbreaking outcomes. Language proficiency is an essential component of this discipline, with an emphasis on effective written communication and active participation in international academic discourse. Besides, students will also attain preliminary proficiency in a second foreign language. Finally, it is expected that students maintain sound physical and mental well-being to support their academic pursuits.
III. Research Fields
01 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
02 Microbiology
03 Zoology
04 Genetics
05 Botany
06 One Health
2. Master's Degree Program in Biotechnology and Engineering
I. Program Introduction and Development Trends
The Master's Degree Program in Biotechnology and Engineering is an interdisciplinary program encompassing Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Computer Science and other related disciplines. Its primary focus is on the applications of biotechnology across various domains such as medicine, environmental management and agriculture. The Program is designed to cultivate highly proficient, practical experts with a profound understanding of biotechnology theory and hands-on capabilities, alongside advanced scientific research and innovation capacities.
Looking ahead, the development trends of the Master's Degree Program in Biotechnology and Engineering will be characterized by several key aspects:
Firstly, along with the ever-evolving gene editing technology and rapid advancements in bioinformatics, biotechnology and engineering will increasingly prioritize the study of big data analysis, computational modeling, algorithms and other related fields in life sciences. This will promote the inter-sectional application of artificial intelligence (AI), data science and life sciences.
Secondly, given global ecological and environmental challenges and rapid population growth, biotechnology and engineering will aim to develop more sustainable, efficient and cost-effective biotechnological products and solutions, thereby promoting ecological civilization and sustainable development.
Lastly, biotechnology and engineering will integrate with other fields such as information technology, new materials and robotics to expand its application scope and depth. Meanwhile, interdisciplinary communication and collaboration will be strengthened to nurture comprehensive, high-level talents with cross-disciplinary cooperation abilities.
In conclusion, the Master's Degree Program in Biotechnology and Engineering is poised to advance the interdisciplinary infusion of biotechnology, industry-university-research cooperation and foster highly skilled applied experts with essential capabilities to address various challenges faced by humanity.
II. Educational Objectives and Competency Requirements
The Master's Degree Program in Biotechnology and Engineering is built upon the foundation of biological science and engineering technology. Its primary focus is to equip students with a profound understanding of fundamental theories and experimental techniques in disciplines such as Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and bioinformatics as well as the ability to apply these theories and techniques effectively in the fields of bio-pharmaceuticals, medical health, agriculture and environmental protection. The Program aims to nurture highly proficient applied professionals who possess expertise in biotechnology and engineering, practical skills and innovative thinking, in addition to global perspectives and a strong awareness of sustainable development.
III. Research Fields
(I) Genetic Engineering
This research field delves into the realm of genetic engineering and detection techniques, encompassing the modification of organisms, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as environmental pollution detection and management.
(II) Protein Engineering
Grounded in the intricate relationship between protein structure and functionality, this research field employs genetic engineering or chemical modification techniques to revamp existing proteins and construct novel ones using state-of-the-art biotechnological methods.
(III) Biological Resources
Biological resources constitute the bedrock and cornerstone of scientific fields and industries, including medicine and agriculture. They are strategic resources of paramount importance that enable sustainable and breakthrough development, while also serving as critical assets in upholding national environmental integrity, medical safety and social stability. This research field aims to uncover and utilize pivotal new genes with significant practical potential, thereby tackling challenges such as the scarcity of new germplasms and the critical loss of unique gene resources. By fully leveraging modern biotechnological means, it provides indispensable scientific support for basic research in medicine and agriculture, yielding breakthrough materials for animal and plant breeding.
(IV) Bioinformatics
This research field addresses complex biological issues using applied mathematics, informatics, statistics and computer science methodologies. It involves handling an array of biological data, with computers serving as indispensable tools. Research methodologies encompass data searching (collection and screening), processing (editing, organization, management, and visualization) and utilization (computation and simulation).
