Science Curriculum at HKU
What is a University? The mission of a university is to develop the student as a whole person, to prepare him/her how to think and for life-long self learning HKU is NOT a trade school. The goal of a university is not to provide vocational training University is NOT a diploma mill. You are here not just to get a degree or a certificate, but to learn and be educated
Science Education Getting a college degree that ties closely with a particular trade no longer guarantees a secure job Helps students to develop a scientific mind that is strong in analytical thinking quantitative and logical reasoning Equips students with scientific skills of carrying out difficult and delicate tasks to obtain innovative solutions for novel problems in science related or non-science related careers
Modern Science Science is not a collection of facts, but is a process for the creation of knowledge Many new scientific advancements and emerging science disciplines are results of synthesis of ideas in different disciplines Human Genome Project Environmental Science Astrobiology, Bioinformatics,... Undergraduate broad-based science training is an important foundation for the training of future scientists
Why Science at HKU? Biological Sciences Chemistry Earth Sciences Mathematics Physics Statistics & Actuarial Science
Our Professorial staff Quality teaching with emphasis on the interaction between teachers and students A low undergraduate students to teacher ratio 12 : 1
6901 Bachelor of Science One entry in application for a choice of 15 Science majors
Astronomy Biochemistry The physical universe; Observational astronomy; Principles of astronomy; Astrophysics; Planetary science; Stellar physics; Introductory quantum physics; Stellar atmosphere; Cosmology Biological Sciences Metabolism; Principles of molecular genetics; Introduction to bioinformatics; Molecular biology of the gene; Advanced techniques in biochemistry & molecular biology; Protein structure and function Chemistry Genetics and cell biology, Physiology and systems biology, Diversity of life and environmental biology, Applied biology Analytical chemistry; Chemical instrumentation; Environmental chemistry; Inorganic chemistry; Organic chemistry; Physical chemistry; Principles and applications of spectroscopic and analytical techniques; Organometallic chemistry; Principles of chemical biology; Medicinal chemistry; Organic chemistry of life; Advanced materials; Integrated organic synthesis.
Earth System Science Ecology & Biodiversity Physics and Chemistry of Earth System Processes; Earth Observation; Solid Earth, Ocean, Atmosphere Interactions; Earth System History; Biogeochemical Cycles Environmental Science Biometrics; Systematics & phylogenetics; Conservation biology; Evolution; Terrestrial ecology; Fish biology; Biological oceanography; Freshwater ecology Food & Nutritional Science Environmental microbiology; Demographic principles on population and evolutionary biology; Ecological demography in changing environments; Global change: anthropogenic impact; Earth resources; Sustainable energy and environment; Environmental radiation; Pollution Food safety and quality management; Food toxicology; Food product development; Fermentation technology; Meat and diary science
Geology Mathematics Petrology; Sedimentary Environments; Igneous and Metamorphic Petrogenesis; Geophysics; Structural Geology; Earth Dynamics Mathematics/Physics Algebra; Analysis I; Numerical analysis; Operations research; Game theory and strategy; Geometry; Number theory; Functions of a complex variable; Differential equations; Scientific computing Introduction to mathematical analysis; Algebra I; Functions of a complex variable; Differential equations; Analysis I; Geometry; Introductory electromagnetism; Statistical mechanics and thermodynamics; Introductory quantum physics; Introductory classical mechanics; Mathematics project; Electromagnetic field theory; Quantum mechanics
Physics Risk Management Introductory quantum physics; Introductory electromagnetism; Statistical mechanics and thermodynamics; Introductory quantum mechanics; Nuclear and particle physics; Electromagnetic theory; Physics of nanomaterials; Quantum mechanics; Solid state physics; Classical mechanics; Advanced experimental physics; Computational physics; General relativity Linear statistical analysis; The statistics of investment risk; Risk management and insurance; Probability modeling; Risk management and Basel II in banking and finance; Financial engineering; Market risk analysis Statistics Linear statistical analysis; Time-series analysis; Data mining; Multivariate data analysis; Survival analysis; Statistics in clinical medicine and bio-medical research; Computational statistics; Marketing Engineering
Major and Minor System No quota for any particular science major But quota and timetabling restrictions may apply to 2 nd major or minor(s) Minors and second majors available in Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Business & Economics, Education, Computer Science, and Sports Science
Curriculum Structure
BSc 6901 Programme component courses no. of courses (credits) Compulsory Specialization Common Core English Chinese Science Major 6 courses (36) 2 courses (12) 1 course (6) 16 courses (including two Science Foundation courses and a capstone course) (96) % 22.5% 40% Electives Electives, or courses leading to a minor or a 2nd major 15 courses (90) 37.5% Total 40 courses (240) 100% * A student usually takes 10 courses per year, 6 credits per course
Example of 6901 Programme Structure By Year CC - Common Core Courses SF - Science Foundation Courses Yr 4 Capstone Major Major Major Major Major Yr 3 CC CC Chi Major Major Major Yr 2 CC CC Eng 2 Major Major Major Yr 1 CC CC Eng 1 SF1 SF2 Major Major Note: different distributions of courses over the years are possible
Academic Advisory System We understand that selection of major is a very important decision for students. Some students may have already decided what major they want to take before they are admitted, while some may want to explore multiple options before making a decision. Our Faculty s advisors will advise you on the choice of major, course requirements, and possible major-minor combination to suit your interests, ability, and career aspirations.
Diverse Learning Experience
Early Research Experiences Overseas Research Fellowship (ORF) Scheme 2010-2011 Project Title Explore the functions of histone modifications and methylations Investigation of thiamine biosynthesis in Salmonella enterica Principal Modes of Variability in the Tropics from 9-Year AMSU Data MST-Clustering method for ratemaking Design, construction, and testing a new supphur hexafluoride (SF6) injector using a membrane contactor Identification of shrimp tropomyosin (st)mimotope sequence used in mimotope DNA anaphylaxis vaccine for shrimp allergy Supervisor Prof S E Jacobsen, University of California, Los Angeles Dr Diana Down, University of Wisconsin-Madison Prof Y L Yung, California Institute of Technology Dr M Ludkovski, University of California, Santa Barbara Prof J F Clark, University of California, Santa Barbara Dr P S C Leung, University of California, Davis
International Exposure Over 100 overseas universities have exchange agreement with HKU 97 students traveled abroad for overseas exchange in 2010-2011 Overseas Research Fellowship, Field trips, Internship, Service Learning
Overall Employment Situation Wide Career Prospects % of graduates pursued further studies: 2008 28% & 2009 30% (Overall % of HKU 23%) Graduates engaged in a great variety of professions: banking, finance, accounting, biotech/chemicals, pharmaceutics, medical services, civil & social services, education, engineering, IT and airline industries, etc.
The Common Admission Policy is Simple and Flexible! HKU Science is the first to introduce this policy since 2007 No quota for any Science major Complete freedom in choosing any Science major Declare major before the end of second year Second major* and minor* options in Science and non-science * subject to minimum academic requirement imposed by individual faculty/major
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements For HKDSE Students University General Entrance Requirements: *For admission to 6901 BSc programme, one of the Elective subjects must be Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science or Integrated Science
Admission Requirements for the 4 year Science Programmes Programme Total No. of elective(s) required and the level requirement(s) Specific subject requirements Additional subject requirements Additional level requirements 6901 Bachelor of Science 6119 Bachelor of Education & Bachelor of Science 2 Level: 3 One of the following -Biology -Chemistry -Physics - Combined Science - Integrated Science Nil Nil 6729 Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science 2 Level: 3 Nil Extended Module 1 or Module 2 of Mathematics Mathematics: Level 4 Extended Module of Mathematics: Level 4
Selection Criteria of 6901 Selection Criteria of 6901 for HKDSE students - HKU counts 4 core and 2 electives (4+ 2X) for admission - For 6901, Science subjects, i.e., Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science or Integrated Science are weighed slightly heavier - Students under the Principal s Nomination Scheme and students with outstanding performance in other attributes such as extra-curricular activities, sports, international competition, leadership, etc., will be considered separately - Aptitude test may be arranged as tie-breakers for students in the borderline with exactly the same total score in their DSE examinations
Quota for 6901 BSC Programme No. of places available for 4-year cohort in 2013 (for local JUPAS and Non-JUPAS admission): 358 There is a separate quota for non-local students, i.e. Mainland and International students
University Financial Assistance Supplementing Government financial assistance schemes at HKU: University Financial Assistance Scheme Grants and Interest-free loans managed by the HKU offering to students who: 1. anticipate difficulties in balancing their budget 2. encounter unexpected financial difficulties 3. need support for overseas travels/ studies
All-rounded Education
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