A. Program Title & Code

Program Title: Biology

B. Brief Introduction

This program was firstly established in 1984, and in 2006 first-level postgraduate program was offered, and was awarded asHenanfirst-level key discipline. Now the research areas includes cell biology, plant biology, animal biology, genetics biochemistry&molecular biology, and microbiology. Now in this program, there are 2 double employed academicians, 18 professors and 17 associate professors, and 45 PhD degree holders. In recent 5 years, this program has undertaken major researches funded by 973 plan, 863 plan, supporting plan, Natural Science Fund and etc. And we have published more than 120 academic papers, 10 academic books and textbooks.

C. Training Objectives

Postgraduates of this program should master solid basic theories and systemic professional knowledge of this discipline; master modern experimental methods and skills in this discipline; know develop status quo and trend of their research area; master one kind of foreign language; possess strong creative ability and practical ability, and finally reach the academic level of master’s degree stipulated in “The People’s Republic of China Regulations of Academic Degree”.

D. Program Duration

The program duration of postgraduate is normally 3 years. The maximum duration for degree application is 4 year, namely from the entrance of postgraduate to the passing of dissertation through the discussion of School Degree Evaluation Committee. Outstanding postgraduate who finishes training plan and satisfies graduation standards, can achieve master’s degree and graduate in advance through stipulated procedures as “ZhengZhou University Temporary Provisions for Graduation in Advance” shows.

E. Research Area

1. Cell Biology

In this research area, we have undertaken research projects funded by 948 plan, Natural Science Fund and etc. And the research taking various erythroid researches as model and interpreting growth regulation mechanism from multilevel tops the advanced level around the world. And we have formed outstanding features in tumor marker screening and tumor vaccine design by adopting the theories and methods of bioinformatics; and gained major breakthroughs in isolation and culture of stem cells, and cell culture and exploitation of important economic plants by using cell engineering and transgenic technology; The Trichinella spiralis genetic recombinant antigen and trichinosis DNA vaccine have contributed great to the food safety field. In this research area, now we have 7 doctoral supervisors and over 10 master supervisors.

2. Plant Biology

In this area, researches on plant morphological structure, physiological ecology, growth and development & metabolism, origin and distribution, genetic evolution & classification and etc. from both microcosmic respect and macroscopic respect are conducted to provide scientific basis for the cultivation of new excellent varieties and the promotion of cultivation techniques, the protection, development and utilization of resources. Now, we have formed outstanding features in the fields of plant nutrition physiology and metabolism, resource utilization and resistance, phyletic classification and biodiversity. We have well-structured, innovative, and strong research team, undertake many projects, including special projects of Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment Protection, and those funded by National Natural Science Funds, and gained major research achievements.

3. Animal Biology

This area, equipped with zoology key discipline, Henan Innovation-type scientific and technological team, Henan key laboratory cultivation base, ZZU Biodiversity and Ecology Research Institute, and Graduate Innovation Practice Base, has conducted exchange and cooperation with peers at home and abroad, with strong research team, and solid foundation, gained amount of remarkable achievements; We, according to the demands of this discipline and social development, as well as major science and technology for talents, have continued to strengthen fundamental research, and apply these research results actively; In recent years, we have undertaken many projects, including 973 Plan projects, Supporting Plan projects, and those funded by National Natural Science Fund, and have outstanding features and distinct advantages in animal ecology & conservation biology, animal epidemic disease, insect diversity & biology by adopting zoology theories and methods.

4. Microbiology

This research area, equipped with Henan Functional Biomacromolecules Key Laboratory andZZUBiologicalScience & TechnologyResearchCenter, according to the demands of discipline and social development for talents, has established distinctive research fields, including tobacco microbial fermentation and resources utilization, microbial fermentation of industrial and agricultural waste, strain breeding and fermentation technology of antibiotics, biodegradation of environmental pollutants. These researches have stepped to national advanced level, and part of them have reached international advanced level. We have a well-structured faculties, with strong innovation and research ability, and have remarkable scientific research achievements and talent training achievements. In recent years, we have undertaken over 30 national and provincial scientific projects, gained national scientific and technological progress; cultivated amounts of microbiological specialized talents, contributing greatly in education, scientific research and economic areas.

5. Genetics

In this area, researches on formation inheritance, molecular basis, flower Developmental Genetic mechanism and regulation research of economic characters, including yield, fatty acid, protein and fragrant matter, illustrating various allelic variation types and their genetic effects of genes in germplasms, and the interactions with environment are conducted. Large-scale high flux genetic identification technology is adopted to obtain key character gene marker, to clone a batch genes with proprietary intellectual property rights and application values; then their functions are analyzed to provide genetic information for breeding by molecular marker, transgene and molecular design. In recent years, we have undertaken research projects funded by “Major Transgenosis” Project, Natural Science Fund and Supporting Plan, and successfully cultivated 3 cytoplasm male sterility line, bred and promoted ZZU 203 rapeseed, ZZU tomato, QingXiu pepper, black seedless 2 watermelon and etc.  

6. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

This area, equipped with Henan Functional Biomacromolecules Key Laboratory and Biotechnology & Biological Resources Utilization Key Open Laboratory, mainly conducts researches on the structure, function, metabolism and expression regulation of biomacromolecular; combines national major demands, and utilizes modern biotechnologies, such as bioinformation, polypeptide synthesis, and NDA recombination to improve characters of living body. In recent years, we have undertaken over 30 projects, including National New Medicine Development Projects, 948 Plan Projects, and those funded by National Natural Science Fund, with the total value of millions Yuan, and published over 40 papers on Blood, JCS, Cancer Letters and Peptides, obtained over 10 national invention patents, and many provincial award for scientific and technological advancement. Now, we have established stable research areas and supervisor teams in the fields of protein functions & biological medicine development, molecular diagnosis & biosensor, and plant molecular biology & molecular breeding.

H. Dissertation

Dissertation is an important part in cultivating students’ abilities in comprehensively applying learned knowledge to analyze and solve practical problems. Postgraduate after finishing all courses in training plan starts dissertation writing to achieve dissertation credits.

1. Proposal

Proposal is the first step of dissertation writing. Students should study relevant literature and conduct necessary investigation systematically under the guidance of their supervisors. Through literature consultation, students should know the develop trend in their research area, and complete literature review and topic selection report, then through supervisors’ approval and agreement, students should finish proposal report in the 3th term. Postgraduate proposal is organized by this school. And thesis should state selected topic basis, research approach, expected target and achievements, and work plan. 

2. Mid-term assessment

Mid-term is a necessary part in checking students’ comprehensive abilities, dissertation progress, guiding their dissertation direction, improving dissertation quality. The mid-term assessment should be conducted in the end of the 4thterm.

3. Dissertation

According to national postgraduate requirements, research project should last no less than 1 year, dissertation should be no less than 30,000 words, and includes new viewpoints and certain application value. In dissertation, concepts should be accurate, inference precise, content understandable, data reliable, and structure integrate. Students must pass pre-defense before dissertation defense. Original experimental data should be checked and signed by supervisors and then filed. Academic papers published during their study in this university should be treated as the “ZhengZhou University Postgraduate Published Academic Paper Requirement”stipulates

Students who obtain all credits listed in training plan and pass dissertation defense will be qualified and allowed to graduate, and will be awarded to master’s degree after school degree committee approving and university degree committee permitting. Degree awarding will be permitted based on “Zhengzhouuniversity Degree Awarding Implementation Details” and other degree management files.

Curriculum

A. Curriculum

Biology Curriculum for Postgraduate

Where in specific requirements of academic activities and practice are:

1. Academic Activities

During their study in this university, the students should attend academic activities at least 10 times organized by supervisors and discipline group, ensuring them to know develop trend of this discipline, expand their horizons, and cultivate their pioneering spirit and creation. Students needs to fill academic activity record sheet which records the content of the activity and their gains. Corresponding credits will be achieved if the assessment is qualified.

2. Practice

Postgraduates should undertake 20-30 hours of teaching practice by assisting supervisor teaching undergraduates, this teaching practice or production practice must be assessed, and corresponding credits will be achieved if the assessment is qualified.

B. Credit Requirement

Students are required to obtain no less than 50 credits consisting of course credits and dissertation credits, wherein course credits are at least 32 credits, including at least 24 credits in compulsory courses, at least 8 credits in optional courses. There are 8 degree courses consisting of public compulsory courses and professional foundation courses, wherein corresponding credits will be achieved if the grade reaches 75, and in other courses corresponding credits will be gained if the grade is no less then 60. 

C. Training Mode and Method

Supervisor-responsible system is adopted in this training mode where teacher’s teaching function is fully played and collective guidance of the whole discipline is emphasized. This training mode encourage masters to exert their learning initiative and creativity, foster their independent working ability and independent innovation ability, reinforce their basic training. Supervisors should guide students to take part in teaching practice, attend academic activities, and conduct assessment strictly. Students should summarize research achievements and complete dissertation writing. Then necessary screening system should be established to strengthen assessment, all of which have ensured the quality of master training.