Academic Prerequisites for Doctor of Philosophy
Degree and Master of Science Degree at the School of
Information Science and Engineering of Xiamen
University
（November 11, 2015）
To maintain high academic level at the School of Information Science and
Engineering (SISE), graduate students enrolled in the school must make satisfactory
progress towards their degrees. In addition to the “Xiamen University’s Academic
Requirements for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Science (MSc) Degree
Application on Academic Publication” (XMU Graduate School Regulation [2014]
#31), the applicant for the award of PhD degree and the M.S. degree in SISE need to
meet the following academic prerequisites:
The applicant’s degree thesis should contain original, independent work, which
makes significant academic contribution. Academic misconducts such as plagiarism,
fabrication or falsification of information, and cheating are strictly prohibited.
The applicant must publish his/her research in related academic journals. The
applicant student should be the first author, or be the second author while his/her
supervisor being the first author. The affiliation of the first author should be School of
Information Science and Engineering, Xiamen University, or a national/provincial
research institute associated with the school.
In the case of patents, the applicant student should be the first author, or be the
second author while his/her supervisor being the first author. The patent need to be
filed by Xiamen University.
1. Academic Prerequisites for PhD degree
A PhD degree applicant should satisfy the minimum academic requirements
detailed below before graduation.
(1) Minimum requirements for PhD degree applicant in general: Publish at
least three SCI journal papers, including at least one paper in a highly
acknowledged journal in the subject. For applicant majored in Computer
Science and Technology, at least one paper must be published in CCF-listed
journals. The applicant’s papers should be relevant to his/her PhD dissertation
and should each exceed 3000 words in general.
(2) Minimum requirements for PhD degree applicant evolved in major
engineering projects (i.e., projects with over one million of funding): Publish
one SCI journal paper and one EI journal paper, and be granted with one patent.
(3) Publications in top journals and conferences are strongly encouraged,
and the following equivalence rules are applied: One CCF A-class conference
paper is equivalent to two SCI journal papers; One JCR-1 journal paper is
equivalent to three SCI journal papers. One JCR-2 journal paper is equivalent to
two SCI journal papers.
(4) An applicant can replace at most one SCI journal paper with a granted
patent.
(5) An applicant must complete his/her degree application within six years
after passing the defence.
2. Academic Prerequisites for Master of Science degree
A Master of Science (MSc) applicant should satisfy the minimum academic
requirements detailed below before graduation.
(1) Minimum requirements for MSc applicants in general: Publish one SCI
journal paper or one conference paper in CCF-C or above conferences.
(2) The requirements for MSc applicants evolved in major engineering
projects (i.e., projects with over one million of funding): Publish one EI journal
paper or one EI conference paper, and apply for one patent.
(3) An applicant must complete his/her degree application within four years
after passing the defence.
3. Explanatory notes:
(1) This document details the specific prerequisites for a degree award at the
School of Information Science and Technology, Xiamen University. The
general rules and regulations of the university also apply unless specifically
overrode by this document.
(2) In the case of papers accepted by journals that are ranked with JCR-3 or
above, the paper is treated as published once its DOI number can be verified.
(3) This document comes into effect for students enrolled in 2015 and
thereafter.
(4) The Academic Board of the School of Information Science and
Technology reserves the right to interpret this document.