Molecular Science and Engineering

Molecular Science and Engineering is one of the cutting-edge fields of the 4.0 technology era, offering tremendous opportunities for those passionate about researching and developing new materials. This major integrates principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to address significant challenges in technology, biomedicine, energy, and pharmaceuticals. Let’s explore the career opportunities and future prospects of the Molecular Science and Engineering major!

Major Introduction

Molecular Science and Engineering is an interdisciplinary field that studies the structure, properties, interactions, and functions of materials at the molecular level. Based on this understanding, it focuses on designing, synthesizing, and preparing new materials and products with specific functions. 

This program integrates knowledge from chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering, aiming to cultivate high-quality talents with innovation awareness, practical skills, and an international perspective.

Training Objectives

The program aims to cultivate professionals with the following abilities:

• A solid foundation in scientific and humanistic literacy, adherence to professional ethics, social responsibility, international vision, and awareness of environmental protection, actively serving the nation and society.

• Ability to solve complex scientific and engineering problems in key areas involving chemistry, such as advanced chips and software, intelligent technology, new materials, advanced manufacturing, and national security. Graduates will be able to engage in scientific research, technology development, process and equipment design, and management in chemistry and related fields.

• Ability to apply knowledge in chemistry and mathematics, as well as natural sciences, to identify and express complex scientific problems in relevant fields.

• Ability to lead or collaborate in cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, and multi-disciplinary teams to achieve project goals.

• Strong innovation awareness and capability, with the ability to learn independently and continuously develop.

Graduation Requirements

Engineering Knowledge: Master systematic knowledge in the field of chemistry as well as fundamental knowledge in mathematics, physics, foreign languages, and computer science. Graduates should be able to solve complex scientific and engineering problems related to chemistry in key areas such as high-end chips, intelligent technology, new materials, advanced manufacturing, and national security.

Problem Analysis: Ability to apply knowledge in chemistry, mathematics, and natural sciences to identify and express complex scientific problems in relevant fields. Graduates should be able to analyze these problems through literature review and research, forming effective conclusions.

Design/Development Solutions: Ability to design and develop chemical products and processes, considering factors such as society, health, safety, law, culture, and the environment. Graduates should propose solutions to complex chemical, chemical engineering, or engineering problems and demonstrate innovation in their design and development work.

Research: Ability to conduct research on material chemical properties based on chemical principles and scientific methods, including material design, synthesis, analysis, characterization, interpretation of data, and drawing reasonable conclusions from information integration.

Use of Modern Tools: Ability to use molecular simulation, virtual simulation technologies, the internet, and databases to predict and simulate complex scientific problems related to defense, applying these tools to solve problems.

Engineering and Society: Ability to analyze and evaluate the impact of engineering practices and solutions to complex engineering problems on society, health, safety, law, and culture, and understand the responsibilities involved.

Environment and Sustainable Development: Understanding the relationship between chemistry and society, having awareness of environmental protection and sustainable development, and being able to assess the impact of chemical products and equipment on society, the environment, health, safety, law, and culture.

Professional Standards: Strong humanistic literacy and social responsibility, understanding relevant laws, industry standards, and technical guidelines in the chemical industry, and the social responsibilities that chemical professionals should uphold.

Personal and Teamwork: Ability to play individual, team member, or leadership roles in interdisciplinary teams and collaborate to achieve tasks.

Communication: Ability to effectively communicate and engage with peers and the public in the fields of chemistry and related scientific and engineering problems through writing reports, designing proposals, presenting speeches, or responding to instructions, with a certain level of international vision and cross-cultural communication skills.

Project Management: Understanding and mastering scientific management principles and economic decision-making methods, applying these in multi-disciplinary environments.

Lifelong Learning: Awareness of self-learning and lifelong learning, with the ability to continuously learn and lead development.

Core Courses

• Inorganic Chemistry

• Analytical Chemistry

• Organic Chemistry

• Physical Chemistry

• Instrumental Analysis

• Structural Chemistry

• Principles of Chemical Engineering

• Energy Chemistry

• Green Chemistry

• Nanocatalysis Technology

• Environmental Chemistry

Research Directions in Molecular Science and Engineering

• Molecular Materials Science: Research on the design, synthesis, and performance of novel molecular materials, applied in electronics, energy, biomedical fields, etc.

• Molecular Catalysis and Reactions: Explore the applications of molecular catalysts in chemical reactions, optimize reaction conditions, and improve reaction efficiency.

• Molecular Simulation and Computation: Use computational chemistry methods to simulate molecular behavior, predict molecular properties and reaction pathways, and guide experimental research.

• Molecular Devices and Nanotechnology: Study molecular-based electronic, photonic, and sensing devices, and develop new functional nanomaterials and devices.

• Drug Molecule Design: Apply molecular science principles in drug molecule design and development to improve drug efficacy and safety.

Degree Awarded

Graduates of the Molecular Science and Engineering program typically receive a Bachelor of Science degree.

Career Development

The career prospects for this program are very promising. Graduates are highly adaptable and can work in related industries or sectors such as research, teaching, development, design, and management. Many graduates from this program continue their studies at the graduate level, focusing on scientific research and new technology development.

Graduates can pursue careers in the following fields:

• Research Institutes: Engage in fundamental research in molecular material design, synthesis, and characterization.

• High-Tech Enterprises: Work in new material research, production, and applications.

• Pharmaceutical Companies: Participate in drug research and synthesis.

• Chemical Industry: Work in the development of new materials and processes.

• Universities and Research Institutions: Engage in teaching and research.

Related Majors

• Chemistry

• Applied Chemistry

• Chemical Biology

• Energy Chemistry

• Chemical Measurement and Technology

• Resource Chemistry

Universities for Molecular Science and Engineering Program

• Nankai University

• Tianjin University

• South China University of Technology