2021 Fudan University-Westlake University Joint English-Taught PhD Program

17, 2020

PRESS INQUIRIES Office of Academic and Student Affairs
Email: admissions@westlake.edu.cn
Phone: +86-(0)571-86886872
Office of Academic and Student Affairs

1. Introduction of the Universities and the Program

Located in the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, Fudan University was founded in 1905 and merged with Shanghai Medical University in 2000 to a new Fudan University. Fudan is a comprehensive multi-disciplinary research university with many highly ranked majors and programs and a member of the C9 League, the Universities 21, and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). Over the past hundred years, Fudan University has gained remarkable achievements in talent cultivation, scientific research, social engagement, international exchange, cultural development, innovation, and other aspects. At present, Fudan University has enrolled and is cultivating postgraduate students in 11 discipline areas, including philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, history, science, engineering, medicine, management, and the arts. Fudan University is committed to cultivating highly motivated talent.

Westlake University is a new type of high-quality research-oriented university based in the stunning and historic Chinese city of Hangzhou, where the ancient and ultra-modern blend to create a place like no other. As a university governed by a board of trustees consisting of leading scholars from around the world, Westlake emphasizes academic freedom, research excellence, interdisciplinary engagement, and international collaboration. As the first privately funded research university in P.R. China, Westlake aims to be a reformer in our system. Westlake has three schools: School of Science, School of Life Sciences, and School of Engineering. All schools feature most cutting-edge research projects with profound student engagement in all labs. With the goal of pushing the frontiers of knowledge and making technological innovations that contribute to the improvement of human society, the university is equipped with the most advanced research facilities and gifted with an incredible community of world leading scholars, dedicated staff, and enthusiastic students.

Whereas Westlake University is a small, dynamic, and innovative university specialized in sciences and technology research, Fudan University is a comprehensive, well-established institution. To complement each other’s advantages, Fudan University and Westlake University have established the “Fudan University–Westlake University Joint PhD Program”. At present, there are more than 200 students enrolled in the Joint PhD Program.

Starting from 2020, the PhD program also admits international students, whereas all its courses are taught in English. Students will be enrolled at Fudan University but mainly study and research at Westlake University. Students who accomplish all study requirements of the curriculum and pass the doctoral dissertation defense will be awarded the diploma and doctorate degree of Fudan University.

2. Fields of Study and Supervisors

Westlake University offers English-taught PhD programs in four fields: Biology, Physics, Electronic Science and Technology, and Environmental Science and Engineering. For detailed information of PhD programs and supervisors, please refer to:

https://zh.westlake.edu.cn/news_events/westlakenews/zsdt/202011/P020201218623103690725.pdf

3. Course Information

The following courses are available in the four fields. Course offers may change slightly year by year.

Field	Course Category	Course Name
Biology	Common-Degree Courses	Introduction to China
		Chinese Language
		Professional Chinese
	Core-Degree Courses	Methods and Logics in Biomedical Research
		Genetics
		Frontiers of Biomedical Sciences
		Introductory Biology
		Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics
		Cell Biology
		Developmental Biology
	Elective Courses	Microbiology
		Neurobiology
		Structural Biology
		Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
		Mathematical and Biological Foundation of Reinforcement Learning
Physics	Common-Degree Courses	Introduction to China
		Chinese Language
		Professional Chinese
	Core-Degree Courses	Introduction to Computational Physics
		Introduction to Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics
		Semiconductor Physics
		Frontier of Condensed Matter Physics Researches
	Elective Courses	Synthesis and Characterization of Thin Films
		Computation on Solid State Materials
		Electronic Transport in Solid State Physics
Electronic Science and Technology	Common-Degree Courses	Introduction to China
		Chinese Language
		Professional Chinese
	Core-Degree Courses	Frontiers in Electronic Science and Technology
		Modern VLSI Process Technology
		Methodology of Scientific Research and Engineering Design
		General System Theory
		Data Analysis and Algorithm Design
		Analog and Mixed-signal Circuits Design and Implementation
	Elective Courses	Advanced Electromagnetic Wave Theory
		Modeling and Design of 3D Integration and Packaging
		Source Coding and Multimedia Communication
		Hardware Description Language and System Simulation
		Microelectronic Materials and Devices
		Machine Learning
		Functional Polymer Materials and Devices
		Mathematical and Biological Foundation of Reinforcement Learning
		Introduction to Optoelectronic Physics
		Introduction to Sensor Technology
		Thermodynamics of Materials
		Biomedical Circuits and Systems
Environmental Science and Engineering	Common-Degree Courses	Introduction to China
		Chinese Language
		Professional Chinese
	Core-Degree Courses	Major Environmental Issues and Frontier Researches
		Life Cycle Assessment
		Integrating Sustainability in Interdisciplinary Research – Concepts, Ideation, and Effective Writing
	Elective Courses	Computational Fluid Dynamics for Environmental Sciences
		Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
		Environmental Biotechnology

4. Period of Study

Four years of full-time study

5. Tuition Fees

37,000 CNY/year (self-funded)

* The actual tuition is subject to annual enrollment pricing.

6. Accommodation Fees

Room type: twin room en suite

Annual price: 800 or 1,200 CNY/year

* The actual accommodation fee is subject to annual enrollment pricing.

7. Period of Application

From December 15, 2020 to March 19, 2021

8. Eligibility

Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid, ordinary passport, be in good health, have attained a master’s degree, and meet the English language requirements.

English language requirements: Applicants whose native language is not English must submit official scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) unless they received a bachelor's or postgraduate degree from an institution in which the official language of instruction is English.

Language Tests	Min. Requirements
IELTS	6.5 overall
TOEFL iBT	90 overall

9. Application

Step 1: Online Application

Please visit http://admission.iso.fudan.edu.cn to register and select “Self-support” → “PhD Student” → “Westlake University” → the program applied for, fill in the application form, and upload required application documents listed below:

(1) A photocopy of your passport:

It must be a photocopy of the valid passport identification page. The passport must be ordinary and valid until after September 30, 2021. Applicants currently residing in China also need to provide a copy of the page containing a valid visa or residence permit.

(2) Personal statement:

More than 1500 words in English are required for PhD applicants. The content should include (but not be limited to) why you want to study at Westlake, why you want to do research (expected content of the research proposal), personal achievements, experiences worth mentioning in your opinion, and your attitude towards life and research.

(3) Two recommendation letters:

The referee must be a professor, associate professor, or a person with an equivalent academic title. The recommendation letter should be in Chinese or English and include the referee’s signature and contact information.

* If the letters cannot be uploaded online, applicant may as well contact the referee to send the scanned letter via email to the admissions@westlake.edu.cn or send the sealed letter via express to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs.

(4) All transcripts:

The original or a notarized copy of your transcripts showing all your studies in your Bachelor and in your Master (if applicable). If the transcripts are not in English or Chinese, you must also attach a notarized translation in English or Chinese.

(5) All diploma and degree certificates:

The original or a notarized copy of your certificates (or proof of impending graduation for applicants in their final year of study). If the certificates are not in English or Chinese, you must also attach a notarized translation in English or Chinese.

(6) Evidence of English language proficiency

(7) Catalogue and abstract of published papers or other documents that prove academic ability (not compulsory).

Step 2: Submit the online application and pay the application fee online (800 CNY)

Your application will only be considered once the payment of the application fee has been received. Application fees are not refundable.

Step 3: Track your online application status closely and wait for our response

We may ask for supplementary information or materials. The application review usually takes about two weeks after submission. (In special cases, it may take longer.) When the application status reads "Uploaded documents are reviewed", it indicates that the online application procedure has been completed. Please wait patiently for the subsequent notice.

10. Assessment and Admission

We will send applicants a subsequent email about the assessment methods and time. Applicants may check results via the online application system (http://admission.iso.fudan.edu.cn/). In case of identified fraud, forgery or nepotism, the application will be withdrawn and admission revoked. If such cases are discovered after matriculation, the student will be expelled.

11. Enrollment Time

The end of August or early September in 2021 (to be specified in the Certificate of Admission). Students who are admitted shall enroll on time with the original diploma and degree certificates. Students without original diploma and degree certificates are not allowed to enroll and their admission will be cancelled.

12. Degree Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits. In order to fulfill the course requirements, students need to take all Common-degree courses (6 credits), Core-degree courses (4 credits), Elective courses (6 credits), and Academic activity (2 credits). Besides completing coursework, students must write a dissertation and pass the oral defense. The thesis should be written in English. Students shall refer to the graduation requirements for doctoral studies by Fudan University.

13. Contact Information

(1) Office of Academic and Student Affairs, Westlake University (to inquire about application eligibility, procedure and submission)

Tel: +86-(0)571-8688 6872

Email: admissions@westlake.edu.cn

Web: www.westlake.edu.cn

Address: Westlake University

Room 309-311, Building 5,

18 Shilongshan Road, Cloud Town,

Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province

PR China

Postcode: 310024

(2) Office of International Affairs, Westlake University (to inquire about visa and insurance issues)