48 monthsProgramme duration
6,505 USDTuition Fee/year
Programme overview
Main Subject
Geography
Degree
PhD
Study Level
PhD
Study Mode
On Campus
The Department of Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University was established in 1952 and ranks among the top in China, making it a leading research center for physical geography and resource environment among comprehensive universities nationwide. The Department of Land Resources and Environment is responsible for the admission and training of graduate students in this program. Inheriting and developing the research characteristics of integrated physical geography and comprehensive research on landforms and processes, the Department of Land Resources and Environment is one of the earliest research institutions in my country to conduct research on physical geographical processes. Professors such as Wu Shangshi, Tang Yongluan, and Huang Jin are important founders and pioneers of the discipline. Since its establishment, the Department of Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University has extensively carried out teaching and research on tropical and subtropical natural resources and ecological environments, combining the characteristics of South China, forming a comprehensive research characteristic that integrates understanding physical geographical elements, utilizing natural resources, and protecting the ecological environment. In 1957, Sun Yat-sen University pioneered the establishment of advanced training courses in physical geography nationwide, greatly promoting the development of integrated physical geography in my country. Subsequently, it was authorized to grant master's and doctoral degrees in 1961 and 2002 respectively. In 2021, it was selected as a national-level first-class undergraduate program, and in 2022, it received an A- level rating in the Ministry of Education's discipline evaluation. Throughout its more than 70-year history, Sun Yat-sen University's physical geography program has consistently adhered to a comprehensive research approach, emphasizing practical application while expanding theoretical and methodological knowledge. It has continuously developed new specialties and research directions, cultivating a large number of specialized talents for the country in areas such as physical geography, ecological environmental protection, land spatial management, and natural resource development and utilization.
The Master's program in Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University is three years long, and the Doctoral program is four years long. The program currently has 25 full-time faculty members, including 7 professors, 18 associate professors or senior lecturers, 13 doctoral supervisors, 23 master's supervisors, and 2 national-level outstanding young overseas talents. Approximately 70% of the faculty have overseas study or visiting scholar experience. The program has undertaken numerous national-level research projects, including major projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Its distinctive research areas include: global climate and environmental change and its regional responses, biogeochemical cycles, hydrology, water resources and environment, land resource development and utilization, geomorphology and natural disasters, biological and soil geography, landscape ecology and integrated physical geography, and natural resource evaluation and management.
The research platforms and equipment of the degree programs are advanced and first-class. Currently, the teaching and research institutions built upon the Physical Geography major include: the Water Environment Laboratory, Soil Geography Laboratory, Biogeography Laboratory, Atmospheric Detection Laboratory, Physical Geography and Resource Environment Practical Teaching Base, the Guangdong Northern Karst Area Carbon-Water Coupling Provincial Field Observation Station, and the Sun Yat-sen University Land Research Center. The laboratories are equipped with instruments such as atmospheric samplers, water quality analyzers, soil particle size analyzers, spectrophotometers, high-speed centrifuges, and constant temperature incubators, meeting the measurement requirements for various water, soil, biological, and atmospheric environmental parameters. The practical teaching base and field observation station, centered on the Shimentai Nature Reserve, focus on the natural elements of the karst area, including organisms, water, soil, and air. They have established comprehensive ecological process monitoring systems, hydrological and water environment monitoring systems, soil resource monitoring systems, meteorological condition monitoring systems, geomorphological process monitoring systems, and forest resource survey systems, integrating multiple functions such as scientific research, teaching, practical training, and popular science, serving regional scientific and technological innovation, socio-economic development, and ecological environmental protection in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Based on multidisciplinary research on land, the Land Research Center conducts research and academic exchanges on relevant policies and key technologies related to land issues faced by national economic development, and provides scientific and technological support for the development, utilization and management of national land resources.
Addressing the challenges of sustainable development of natural resources, environment, and socio-economic factors under the backdrop of global environmental change, the Department of Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University has made pioneering and innovative achievements in areas such as physical geographical processes and mechanisms, global change and regional response, ecological environmental protection, particularly chemical geography and hydrothermal balance, development and utilization of tropical biological resources, environmental impact assessment and planning, water resource utilization and planning, land use/cover change and its ecological and environmental effects, and natural regional system zoning. These achievements have had a significant disciplinary impact on the field of physical geography in my country. Looking to the future, the Department of Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University will continue to focus on the natural geographical elements of the terrestrial surface system, including water, soil, air, and organisms, conducting comprehensive research on patterns and processes to serve national strategies and major needs such as regional carbon neutrality, integrated watershed management, ecological civilization construction, and the governance and ecological restoration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The Master's program in Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University is three years long, and the Doctoral program is four years long. The program currently has 25 full-time faculty members, including 7 professors, 18 associate professors or senior lecturers, 13 doctoral supervisors, 23 master's supervisors, and 2 national-level outstanding young overseas talents. Approximately 70% of the faculty have overseas study or visiting scholar experience. The program has undertaken numerous national-level research projects, including major projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Its distinctive research areas include: global climate and environmental change and its regional responses, biogeochemical cycles, hydrology, water resources and environment, land resource development and utilization, geomorphology and natural disasters, biological and soil geography, landscape ecology and integrated physical geography, and natural resource evaluation and management.
The research platforms and equipment of the degree programs are advanced and first-class. Currently, the teaching and research institutions built upon the Physical Geography major include: the Water Environment Laboratory, Soil Geography Laboratory, Biogeography Laboratory, Atmospheric Detection Laboratory, Physical Geography and Resource Environment Practical Teaching Base, the Guangdong Northern Karst Area Carbon-Water Coupling Provincial Field Observation Station, and the Sun Yat-sen University Land Research Center. The laboratories are equipped with instruments such as atmospheric samplers, water quality analyzers, soil particle size analyzers, spectrophotometers, high-speed centrifuges, and constant temperature incubators, meeting the measurement requirements for various water, soil, biological, and atmospheric environmental parameters. The practical teaching base and field observation station, centered on the Shimentai Nature Reserve, focus on the natural elements of the karst area, including organisms, water, soil, and air. They have established comprehensive ecological process monitoring systems, hydrological and water environment monitoring systems, soil resource monitoring systems, meteorological condition monitoring systems, geomorphological process monitoring systems, and forest resource survey systems, integrating multiple functions such as scientific research, teaching, practical training, and popular science, serving regional scientific and technological innovation, socio-economic development, and ecological environmental protection in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Based on multidisciplinary research on land, the Land Research Center conducts research and academic exchanges on relevant policies and key technologies related to land issues faced by national economic development, and provides scientific and technological support for the development, utilization and management of national land resources.
Addressing the challenges of sustainable development of natural resources, environment, and socio-economic factors under the backdrop of global environmental change, the Department of Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University has made pioneering and innovative achievements in areas such as physical geographical processes and mechanisms, global change and regional response, ecological environmental protection, particularly chemical geography and hydrothermal balance, development and utilization of tropical biological resources, environmental impact assessment and planning, water resource utilization and planning, land use/cover change and its ecological and environmental effects, and natural regional system zoning. These achievements have had a significant disciplinary impact on the field of physical geography in my country. Looking to the future, the Department of Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University will continue to focus on the natural geographical elements of the terrestrial surface system, including water, soil, air, and organisms, conducting comprehensive research on patterns and processes to serve national strategies and major needs such as regional carbon neutrality, integrated watershed management, ecological civilization construction, and the governance and ecological restoration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Geography
Degree
PhD
Study Level
PhD
Study Mode
On Campus
The Department of Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University was established in 1952 and ranks among the top in China, making it a leading research center for physical geography and resource environment among comprehensive universities nationwide. The Department of Land Resources and Environment is responsible for the admission and training of graduate students in this program. Inheriting and developing the research characteristics of integrated physical geography and comprehensive research on landforms and processes, the Department of Land Resources and Environment is one of the earliest research institutions in my country to conduct research on physical geographical processes. Professors such as Wu Shangshi, Tang Yongluan, and Huang Jin are important founders and pioneers of the discipline. Since its establishment, the Department of Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University has extensively carried out teaching and research on tropical and subtropical natural resources and ecological environments, combining the characteristics of South China, forming a comprehensive research characteristic that integrates understanding physical geographical elements, utilizing natural resources, and protecting the ecological environment. In 1957, Sun Yat-sen University pioneered the establishment of advanced training courses in physical geography nationwide, greatly promoting the development of integrated physical geography in my country. Subsequently, it was authorized to grant master's and doctoral degrees in 1961 and 2002 respectively. In 2021, it was selected as a national-level first-class undergraduate program, and in 2022, it received an A- level rating in the Ministry of Education's discipline evaluation. Throughout its more than 70-year history, Sun Yat-sen University's physical geography program has consistently adhered to a comprehensive research approach, emphasizing practical application while expanding theoretical and methodological knowledge. It has continuously developed new specialties and research directions, cultivating a large number of specialized talents for the country in areas such as physical geography, ecological environmental protection, land spatial management, and natural resource development and utilization.
The Master's program in Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University is three years long, and the Doctoral program is four years long. The program currently has 25 full-time faculty members, including 7 professors, 18 associate professors or senior lecturers, 13 doctoral supervisors, 23 master's supervisors, and 2 national-level outstanding young overseas talents. Approximately 70% of the faculty have overseas study or visiting scholar experience. The program has undertaken numerous national-level research projects, including major projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Its distinctive research areas include: global climate and environmental change and its regional responses, biogeochemical cycles, hydrology, water resources and environment, land resource development and utilization, geomorphology and natural disasters, biological and soil geography, landscape ecology and integrated physical geography, and natural resource evaluation and management.
The research platforms and equipment of the degree programs are advanced and first-class. Currently, the teaching and research institutions built upon the Physical Geography major include: the Water Environment Laboratory, Soil Geography Laboratory, Biogeography Laboratory, Atmospheric Detection Laboratory, Physical Geography and Resource Environment Practical Teaching Base, the Guangdong Northern Karst Area Carbon-Water Coupling Provincial Field Observation Station, and the Sun Yat-sen University Land Research Center. The laboratories are equipped with instruments such as atmospheric samplers, water quality analyzers, soil particle size analyzers, spectrophotometers, high-speed centrifuges, and constant temperature incubators, meeting the measurement requirements for various water, soil, biological, and atmospheric environmental parameters. The practical teaching base and field observation station, centered on the Shimentai Nature Reserve, focus on the natural elements of the karst area, including organisms, water, soil, and air. They have established comprehensive ecological process monitoring systems, hydrological and water environment monitoring systems, soil resource monitoring systems, meteorological condition monitoring systems, geomorphological process monitoring systems, and forest resource survey systems, integrating multiple functions such as scientific research, teaching, practical training, and popular science, serving regional scientific and technological innovation, socio-economic development, and ecological environmental protection in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Based on multidisciplinary research on land, the Land Research Center conducts research and academic exchanges on relevant policies and key technologies related to land issues faced by national economic development, and provides scientific and technological support for the development, utilization and management of national land resources.
Addressing the challenges of sustainable development of natural resources, environment, and socio-economic factors under the backdrop of global environmental change, the Department of Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University has made pioneering and innovative achievements in areas such as physical geographical processes and mechanisms, global change and regional response, ecological environmental protection, particularly chemical geography and hydrothermal balance, development and utilization of tropical biological resources, environmental impact assessment and planning, water resource utilization and planning, land use/cover change and its ecological and environmental effects, and natural regional system zoning. These achievements have had a significant disciplinary impact on the field of physical geography in my country. Looking to the future, the Department of Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University will continue to focus on the natural geographical elements of the terrestrial surface system, including water, soil, air, and organisms, conducting comprehensive research on patterns and processes to serve national strategies and major needs such as regional carbon neutrality, integrated watershed management, ecological civilization construction, and the governance and ecological restoration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The Master's program in Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University is three years long, and the Doctoral program is four years long. The program currently has 25 full-time faculty members, including 7 professors, 18 associate professors or senior lecturers, 13 doctoral supervisors, 23 master's supervisors, and 2 national-level outstanding young overseas talents. Approximately 70% of the faculty have overseas study or visiting scholar experience. The program has undertaken numerous national-level research projects, including major projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Its distinctive research areas include: global climate and environmental change and its regional responses, biogeochemical cycles, hydrology, water resources and environment, land resource development and utilization, geomorphology and natural disasters, biological and soil geography, landscape ecology and integrated physical geography, and natural resource evaluation and management.
The research platforms and equipment of the degree programs are advanced and first-class. Currently, the teaching and research institutions built upon the Physical Geography major include: the Water Environment Laboratory, Soil Geography Laboratory, Biogeography Laboratory, Atmospheric Detection Laboratory, Physical Geography and Resource Environment Practical Teaching Base, the Guangdong Northern Karst Area Carbon-Water Coupling Provincial Field Observation Station, and the Sun Yat-sen University Land Research Center. The laboratories are equipped with instruments such as atmospheric samplers, water quality analyzers, soil particle size analyzers, spectrophotometers, high-speed centrifuges, and constant temperature incubators, meeting the measurement requirements for various water, soil, biological, and atmospheric environmental parameters. The practical teaching base and field observation station, centered on the Shimentai Nature Reserve, focus on the natural elements of the karst area, including organisms, water, soil, and air. They have established comprehensive ecological process monitoring systems, hydrological and water environment monitoring systems, soil resource monitoring systems, meteorological condition monitoring systems, geomorphological process monitoring systems, and forest resource survey systems, integrating multiple functions such as scientific research, teaching, practical training, and popular science, serving regional scientific and technological innovation, socio-economic development, and ecological environmental protection in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Based on multidisciplinary research on land, the Land Research Center conducts research and academic exchanges on relevant policies and key technologies related to land issues faced by national economic development, and provides scientific and technological support for the development, utilization and management of national land resources.
Addressing the challenges of sustainable development of natural resources, environment, and socio-economic factors under the backdrop of global environmental change, the Department of Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University has made pioneering and innovative achievements in areas such as physical geographical processes and mechanisms, global change and regional response, ecological environmental protection, particularly chemical geography and hydrothermal balance, development and utilization of tropical biological resources, environmental impact assessment and planning, water resource utilization and planning, land use/cover change and its ecological and environmental effects, and natural regional system zoning. These achievements have had a significant disciplinary impact on the field of physical geography in my country. Looking to the future, the Department of Physical Geography at Sun Yat-sen University will continue to focus on the natural geographical elements of the terrestrial surface system, including water, soil, air, and organisms, conducting comprehensive research on patterns and processes to serve national strategies and major needs such as regional carbon neutrality, integrated watershed management, ecological civilization construction, and the governance and ecological restoration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Admission Requirements
4 Years
- Candidates are required to submit references or letter(s) of recommendation for acceptance
Tuition fees
International
6,505 USD
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