SWU English-taught Program
(School of Life Sciences)
I. Program Objectives
This specialization programme is research oriented, focusing on a
variety of fundamental and applied research questions in ecological
sciences. The research training will involve investigations at the level of
cells, individual organisms (mainly plants), populations (mainly plant
populations), communities or ecosystems and involve field observations
and work in subtropical climate zones and well-known Three Gorges area.
The objective of this specialization program is to train students to
understand how plants, animals and microorganisms function in
populations and ecosystems and adapt to continuously changing
environments, and how to apply these understandings into the
management and conservation of natural and semi-natural ecosystems.
II. Course Arrangement
types of courses
course name
term
class hour
credit
54
3
assessment
Close-book
Chinese
1
Examination
general
courses
Chinese Culture
Open-book
1
54
3
Survey
Examination
Close-book
compulsory
Plant ecology
1
54
3
Examination
specialty
Ecological
courses
Literature analysis
1
54
3
Course paper
1 or 2
54
3
Course paper
Advances in
Ecological Science
optional
remarks
handing in records of such
attending academic activities such as
academic reports and lectures, not less
than 8 times.
comprehensive
required procedures
reports
and
lectures
with
supervisor’s signature to Faculty
for inspection
handing in the assessment result to the faculty
assessment
novelty assessment
on research
handing in the assessment result to supervisor
proposal for
for inspection
dissertation
literature review
and proposal for
handing in one copy to the faculty
dissertation
interim assessment
and dissertation
handing in one copy to the faculty
progress check
III. Application Requirements
1. English proficiency requirements
 For English speakers: No requirements
 For Non-English speakers: IELTS not less than 6.5, or TOEFL
(Internet-based) not less than 85
2. Requirement for degree/study background
Master’s degree holders in biology, ecology, physical geography,
ecosystem & natural resource management with GPA not less than 3
3. Materials to be submitted
For English speakers：
 Curriculum Vitae
 Research proposal
 Two letters of recommendation
 Photocopies of master’s degree certificate and master’s degree
study transcript. Such documents in languages other than English
must be attached with notarized copies in Chinese or English.
For non-English speakers:
 Curriculum Vitae
 Research proposal
 Two letters of recommendation
 Photocopies of master’s degree certificate and official master’s
degree study transcript. Such documents in languages other than
English must be attached with notarized copies in Chinese or
English
 Photocopy of IELTS or TOEFL certificate