Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology

College of Science and Engineering 科 學 及 工 程 學 院

Department of Biology and Chemistry

生 物 及 化 學 系

Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology 環境科技理學碩士／深造文憑

Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology with Environmental Health and Food Safety

環境科技暨環境衛生與食物安全理學碩士／深造文憑 Postgraduate Certificate in

Environmental Science and Technology 環境科技深造證書

For further information, please contact:

Department of Biology and Chemistry

B6708, 6/F, Academic 1

City University of Hong Kong

83 Tat Chee Avenue

Kowloon Tong

Hong Kong

Tel

: (852) 3442 7404

Fax : (852) 3442 0522

E-mail : bhenquir@cityu.edu.hk

Website : http://www.cityu.edu.hk/bch

CONTENTS

Page

Introduction

1

The Department of Biology and Chemistry

1

Members of Staff

3

Areas of Expertise

6

MSc in Environmental Science and Technology

I. Key Members of Programme Management Team 9

II. Mode of Attendance and Duration 9

III. Programme Aim 9

IV. Programme Intended Learning Outcomes 10

V. Programme Structure 11

VI. Assessment and Progression 14

VII. Communication Channels 17

VIII. Useful Information for Students 19

IX. Courses and Respective Course Leaders 19

INTRODUCTION

This Handbook contains useful information for students enrolled in the Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma / Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Science and Technology and Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology with Environmental Health and Food Safety programmes offered by the Department of Biology and Chemistry. Students are advised to familiarize themselves with this Handbook so as to obtain a general overview of the Department and its teaching courses. It is, however, intended to be read in conjunction with other official information posted by the Academic Regulations and Records Office and the Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies, such as the CityU Academic Regulations which is available under “Academic Regulations & Policies (for Taught Postgraduate Students)” of the “CityU e-Portal/Blackboard”, and the CityU Academic Calendar which is available on the website of the Academic Regulations and Records Office.

THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY

The

Department of Biology and Chemistry was established in 1993 and each year offers

studies and research in fundamental and applied aspects of life, molecular and environmental sciences to about 381 undergraduate and 76 postgraduate students. The Department consists of 24 academic staff, 5 associated academic staff, 16 postdoctoral fellows, 62 research staff, and 31 technical and administrative staff. The study programmes are designed to help students understand important scientific issues, current technologies and future challenges in light of local, regional and global needs following the outcomes-based teaching and learning framework. An interdisciplinary approach is adopted and an emphasis is placed on the integration of theory with practical classes via hands-on experience. The teaching and research laboratories provide a stimulating environment to do experimental work utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and instruments. Relevant industrial experience in local and international companies and research institutions is included as appropriate. Overseas field trips and exchange studies complement the core study programmes. Students are also encouraged to attend departmental seminars by well-known visiting scientists. The Department also co-supervises over 13 PhD students with the University of Science and Technology, China in our Advanced Laboratory of Environmental Research and Technology in Suzhou.

Apart from the MSc programme, the Department offers three full-time undergraduate majors, namely Applied Biology, Applied Chemistry, and Environmental Science and Management. The Applied Biology major provides an active learning environment in which student can develop knowledge of life sciences and inter-related biology disciplines. The Applied Chemistry major offers an in-depth study in analytical chemistry and environmental chemistry. The Environmental Science and Management major aims at producing environmental managers with a solid, scientific background as well as sound knowledge in social, economic and legal issues. The MSc programme in Environmental Science and Technology was introduced in 1995. The programme has been revised in 2007 to include the new MSc in Environmental Science and Technology with Environmental Health and Food Safety. Its curriculum emphasizes on pollution control and monitoring, and environmental health and food safety. Professional recognition of these programmes is being pursued from both local and overseas professional institutions.

The Department strongly fosters interdisciplinary research and development activities. Acquisitions of equipment highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of experimental and theoretical research. Examples include the installation of an atomic force microscope coupled to an optical microscope, which can be used to examine the surface structures of cells and organisms at the nano scale. The four confocal and compound microscopes are unique in the

from the fluorescent to the near infrared spectrum of novel chemicals introduced inside cells and organisms. A state-of-the-art proteomics and metabolomics facility, including a robotic system for gel cutting is in operation. This user-friendly facility provides support and training on gel and chromatography based analyses of proteins and metabolites associated with biological and toxicological interactions. A laser laboratory offers a wide variety of experimental facilities for the spectroscopic studies of the reaction mechanisms, relaxation processes to excited state dynamics of interest in photochemistry, photophysics and photobiology. This laboratory is featured with a wavelength tunable Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser coupled to the femtosecond transient absorption spectrometer and a nanosecond flash photolysis system equipped with a high power ns-pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Three pieces of equipment have been installed, namely a genome sequencing system, a peptide synthesizer and a DNA/RNA synthesizer for peptides and DNA/RNA research studies. Three NMRs of 300, 400 and 600 MHz are also set up for undergraduate & postgraduate teaching and research applications in synthetic, pharmaceutical as well as biomedical fields.

The Department of Biology and Chemistry is also playing a leading role in the State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution (SKLMP) endorsed by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China in 2010. The Laboratory is made up of a consortium of six partnering universities: City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the University of Hong Kong. The Director of SKLMP is Professor Paul Kwan-Sing Lam, Chief-of-Staff and Chair Professor of Biology of City University of Hong Kong. The role of SKLMP is to develop innovative chemical, biological and engineering technologies for the early detection, assessment, prediction and pollution control so as to protect China’s marine environment and biological resources. The approval for the setting up of such a prestigious State Key Laboratory in Hong Kong by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China is recognition of our capability in the study, protection and conservation of the coastal marine environment of China. The SKLMP is also partnering with the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science at Xiamen University, China, to work on issues related to the marine environment and sustainable development in China and beyond.

Staff expertise currently lies in environmental biology and chemistry, green and synthetic chemistry, spectroscopy and catalysis, developmental and cell biology, nano-biotechnology and biosensing, microbiology and bioactive compounds. Current research of the Department focuses on catalysis including catalyst design and synthesis, organic electroluminescent devices, inorganic photo-responsive and luminescent chemosensors, proteomics and metabolomics, nano-bio interfaces, and sustainable development in the marine ecosystem. The Department, judged by the latest Research Assessment Exercise conducted by the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong, is top of the leagues in biological and chemical research in Hong Kong. The review panels of the Research Grants Council also highly commended our research activities at their last site visit.

The Department endeavours to develop close links with both the public and industrial sectors to keep abreast of society needs. Many of the staff research projects and undergraduate / postgraduate research projects are carried out in collaboration with industry partners and government bodies as well as with other local and overseas universities.

With the recruitment of new academic staff members in strategic areas of biology and chemistry disciplines, the Department is ready to take up the challenge of the 4-year degree and conduct

MEMBERS OF STAFF

Academic Staff

Name

Tel. No.

E-mail

(…@cityu.edu.hk)

Head and

Chair Professor Prof István T HORVÁTH DSc (Hung Acad Sci), PhD (U Pannonia)

3442-7402 bhhead Associate Head and

Associate Professor Dr Doris W T AU PhD (HK), CBiol, MIBiol 3442-9710 bhdwtau Chair Professor and

Provost Prof Arthur B ELLIS PhD (MIT) 3442-8080 abellis

Chair Professor and

Chief-of-Staff Prof Paul K S LAM, JP PhD (Sheffield) 3442-7681/ 3442-6828 bhpksl Professor and

CSE Assistant Dean (Student Training and Placement)

Prof Michael H W LAM

PhD (HK) 3442-7329 bhmhwlam

Visiting Distinguished

Professors Prof John P GIESY PhD (Michigan State) 3442-7404 bhgiesy Prof Jean-Marie LEHN

Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Chair Professors Prof T C LAU

PhD (HK) 3442-7811 bhtclau

Prof Nora F Y TAM, BBS, JP PhD (York, UK), CBiol, FIBiol, MCIWEM

3442-7793 bhntam

Professors Prof H L KWONG

PhD (MIT) 3442-7304 bhhoik

Prof Kenneth K W LO

PhD (HK) 3442-7231 bhkenlo

Associate Professors Dr Michael C W CHAN

PhD (Durham) 3442-9678 mcwchan Dr S G CHEUNG PhD (HK) 3442-7749 bhsgche Dr Richard Y H CHEUNG PhD (UMIST) 3442-9514 bhricche Dr Vincent C C KO PhD (HK) 3442-6958 vinccko

Dr Richard Y C KONG PhD (Monash) 3442-7794 bhrkong Dr Y W LAM PhD (HK) 3442-6347 yunwlam Dr K C LAU PhD (UCDavis) 3442-6849 kaichung Dr Margaret B MURPHY

PhD (Michigan State) 3442-6858 mbmurphy

Dr Paul K S SHIN

PhD (Ireland), CSci, CEnv,

C.WEM, FCIWEM

3442-7720 bhpshin Dr Z XU

PhD (Cornell) 3442-4679 zhengtao

Assistant Professors Dr Peggy P K LO

PhD (McGill) 3442-7840 peggylo Dr Andy C K SIU PhD (CUHK) 3442-2272 chiksiu Dr H SUN PhD (Singapore) 3442-9537 hongysun Dr Alex C Y WONG PhD (HK) 3442-6831 acywong Dr G ZHU PhD (Pittsburgh) 3442-6857 guangzhu

Technical Staff

Chief Technical Officer Ms Helen K Y NG 3442-4080 bhhelen

Senior Technical Officer Mr Benz C P CHAN 3442-4065 bhbccp Technical Officers Mr H H CHAN

Mr Raymond W M CHAN Mr Michael W L CHIANG Miss Amy M Y CHONG Mr John H Y LAI Mr K F LAM Mr C L LAU Mr Kenneth K K LAU Mr Ivan K K LO Ms Mandy M H MAK Ms Wenny Y K TSANG Dr Connie W F YEUNG Dr Ken S M YIU 3442-4070 3442-4090 2194-2775 3442-4089 3442-4068 3442-7007 3442-4062 3442-4082 3442-7115 3442-4064 3442-4063 3442-5946 3442-6187 bhhhc bhrwmc bhchiang bhachong bhjlhy bhkflam bhcllau bhkenlau ivan.lo mandymak bhyktw wfyeung kensmyiu

Junior Technician Mr K W CHAU 3442-7107 kawchau

Administrative Staff

Executive Officer I Miss Grace C M NG 3442-8411 songrace

Personal Secretary I

(Head of Department) Ms Mandy Y M DUNG 3442-7403 bhmdung

Clerical Officer Is Miss Dora P K YIM

Ms Betsy M K YU 3442-7404 3442-7405 dora.yim bhbetsy Clerical Officer IIs Miss Ada M C CHENG

Miss Nicole S N LAM Ms Ella M M WONG 3442-7265 3442-9028 3442-7833 bhada snlam3 ella.wong

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Head Expertise

Prof István T HORVÁTH Catalysis, Green Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, Fluorous Chemistry, In Situ IR and NMR Spectroscopy, Biomass Conversion, Management of R&D, Sustainability

Associate Head

Dr Doris W T AU Molecular Toxicology, Biomarker Development, Small fish models for aging and human diseases

Staff

Dr Michael C W CHAN Inorganic, Organometallic and Supramolecular Chemistry; Catalysis (design of novel catalysts for polymerization reactions and ‘weak attractive ligand–polymer

interactions’); Shape-persistent Luminescent Molecular Frameworks and Polymeric Assemblies

Dr S G CHEUNG Effects of Hypoxia and Ocean Acidification on Marine Invertebrates, Marine Conservation, Antipredatory

Responses in Marine Invertebrates, Microplastics Pollution Dr Richard Y H CHEUNG Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Pollution,

Environmental Control, Environmental Impact

Assessment, Integrated Waste Management, Soil Science, Terrestrial Plant Ecology

Prof Arthur B ELLIS Nanoscale materials and their properties, and Electro-optical Phenomena

Prof John P GIESY Fate and Effects of Trace Substances in Aquatic Ecosystems, Biochemical Toxicology (Biomarkers), Aquatic and Wildlife Toxicology, Planar, Halogenated Hydrocarbons (PCBs, PCDD & PCDF), Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs), Ecological Risk Assessment, Endocrine Modulating Compounds, Environmental Policy

Dr Vincent C C KO Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry, Photocatalysis, Photochemistry; Photoswitching and Photochromic Material

Dr Richard Y C KONG Gene Expression and Control Mechanisms, Epigenetics, Molecular Toxicology, DNA-Based Diagnostics

Prof H L KWONG Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Asymmetric Synthesis and Catalysis, Reaction Mechanisms

Prof Michael H W LAM Development of Novel Molecular, Nano- and Micro-Scale Materials for In Vitro and In Vivo Imaging, and

Environmental Analytical and Biomedical Applications; In Vitro and In Vivo Metabolomic Studies of Various

Environmental Contaminations

Prof Paul K S LAM Ecology, Environmental Measurement and Analysis, Ecotoxicology, Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment

Dr Y W LAM Live Cell Imaging, Proteomics, Functional Organization of Mammalian Cell Nucleus, Biomedical Engineering,

Chemical Biology

Dr K C LAU Computational Thermochemistry, ab initio Molecular

Orbital Studies on the Structures, Energetics, and

Reactivities of Chemical Species, Theoretical Aspects of Chemical Bondings, Reaction Mechanisms, Potential Energy Surfaces and Related Properties

Prof T C LAU Synthesis and Reactivity of Transition Metal Complexes, Kinetics and Mechanisms of Inorganic Redox Reactions, Photocatalytic Water Splitting, Metal-catalyzed Organic Transformations

Prof Kenneth K W LO Analytical, Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry, Photophysics and Photochemistry, Bioconjugation, Biomolecular and Cellular Probes, and Photocytotoxic Reagents

Dr Peggy P K LO Design and Self-assembly of Functional DNA-Based Materials for Imaging, Sensing and Biomedical

Applications, Synthesis and Application of Biomimetic Materials and Fluorescent Probes

Dr Margaret B MURPHY Ecotoxicology, Emerging Pollutants, Toxic Mechanisms of Action, Bioassays, Risk Assessment

Dr Paul K S SHIN Benthic Ecology, Marine Pollution and Conservation, Polychaetes

Dr Andy C K SIU Computational Chemistry, Density Functional Theory Molecular Dynamics Studies on the Mechanisms of Chemical Reactions at Finite Temperatures, Dissociation Chemistry of Biomolecular Ions and Nano-sized Particles in the Gas Phase

Dr H SUN Bioorganic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Microarray,

Cell-Based Assay, Biosensor, Biomaterial, Bioimaging, Chemical Biology

Prof Nora F Y TAM Biological Treatment of Wastes and Wastewater, Mangrove and Wetland Ecology and Conservation, Pollution Control, Phytoremediation and Bioremediation Dr Alex C Y WONG Synthesis, Structural, Reactivity, Photophysical and

Theoretical Studies of Inorganic and Organometallic Compounds; Electrical and Optical Applications of Nano Materials

Dr Z XU Functional Porous Coordination Networks (MOFs) and

Polymer Frameworks, Organic-Inorganic Semiconductors for High Performance and Low-cost Processing, Synthetic Organic Chemistry for Development of Solid State

Materials

Dr G ZHU Anticancer Drug Mechanism and Development, Chemical

I. KEY MEMBERS OF PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT TEAM

Programme Leader

Prof Michael LAM

First

Year

Tutor

Dr Margaret MURPHY

Second Year Tutor

Dr Paul SHIN

II. MODE OF ATTENDANCE AND DURATION

Master of Science: Combined mode (1-year full-time or 2-year part-time)# Postgraduate Diploma: Combined mode (1-year full-time or 2-year part-time)# Postgraduate Certificate: 1-year part-time

# Combined mode: Local students taking programmes in combined mode can attend full-time (12-18 credit units per semester) or part-time (no more than 11 credit units per semester) study in different semesters without seeking approval from the University. For non-local students, they will be admitted to these programmes for either full-time or part-time studies. Non-local students must maintain the required credit load for their full-time or part-time studies and any changes will require approval from the University.

III. PROGRAMME AIM

The Master of Science, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Science and Technology, and the Master of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology with Environmental Health and Food Safety aim to train and produce graduates with highly marketable specialist skills in key areas of environmental management including pollution monitoring and control, environmental measurement and analysis, resources management and waste management, and environmental health and food safety, and to meet local and regional requirements in the industrial, commercial, government or education sectors.

IV. PROGRAMME INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this Programme, students should be able to:

1. Develop technical competence necessary to successful academic and professional work.

• Acquire and organize resource materials.

• Present materials effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Participate confidently in co-operative or independent projects.

2. Acquire and integrate advanced knowledge from a variety of disciplines via discovery-based studies in order to become effective problem solvers, innovators and decision makers.

• Recognize the relation between theory and practices in selected areas of

study.

• Comprehend and analyze contemporary environmental issues, particularly

those of local and regional relevance.

• Have an informed respect for the knowledge and technical skills in biology,

chemistry and environmental management, with special emphasis on pollution monitoring and control, resources management, waste management, and environmental health and food safety.

• Develop strategies and solutions for tackling practical environmental

problems.

3. Create new knowledge and understanding through the process of research and inquiry.

• Carry out research and development work.

• Develop expertise in a chosen subject area through the application of theory

and techniques provided by the programme.

V. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma : Combined mode (1-year full-time)

Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma in

Environmental Science and Technology

(MSc EST / PGD EST)

Year Sem Course

Code

Required Courses

Credit

Units

1

A

BCH6103 Environmental Resources Management 3

BCH6105 Pollution Monitoring 3

BCH6112 Environmental Analysis 3

BCH6116 Quality and Environmental Management for

Laboratory 3

B

BCH6102 Environmental Health and Toxicology 3

BCH6106 Environmental Impact Assessment 3

BCH6108 Pollution Control 3

BCH6117 Sustainable and Green Chemistry 3

A&B BCH6110 Dissertation* 6

Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma in

Environmental Science and Technology

with Environmental Health and Food Safety

(MSc EST (EHFS) / PGD EST(EHFS))

Students need to take all courses in MSc EST / PGD EST above plus the following two courses.

1 A BCH6114 Food Processing and Food Chemistry 3

B BCH6115 Food Safety and Surveillance 3

* Students who enroll in the Master of Science in Environmental Science and Technology programme, but do not complete a Dissertation may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology. Students who enroll in the Master of Science in Environmental Science and Technology with Environmental Health and Food Safety, but do not complete a Dissertation may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology with Environmental Health and Food Safety.

Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma : Combined mode (2-year part-time)

Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma in

Environmental Science and Technology

(MSc EST / PGD EST)

Year Sem Course

Code

Required Courses

Credit

Units

1

A BCH6103 Environmental Resources Management _{BCH6116 Quality and Environmental Management for} 3

Laboratory 3

B BCH6108 Pollution Control 3

BCH6117 Sustainable and Green Chemistry 3

2

A BCH6105 Pollution Monitoring 3

BCH6112 Environmental Analysis 3

B BCH6102 Environmental Health and Toxicology 3

BCH6106 Environmental Impact Assessment 3

A&B BCH6110 Dissertation* 6

Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma in

Environmental Science and Technology

with Environmental Health and Food Safety

(MSc EST (EHFS) / PGD EST(EHFS))

Students need to take all courses in Years one and two as in MSc EST / PGD EST above plus the following two courses in Year one of the study.

1 A BCH6114 Food Processing and Food Chemistry 3

B BCH6115 Food Safety and Surveillance 3

* Students who enroll in the Master of Science in Environmental Science and Technology programme, but do not complete a Dissertation may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology. Students who enroll in the Master of Science in Environmental Science and Technology with Environmental Health and Food Safety, but do not complete a Dissertation may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology with Environmental Health and Food Safety.

Postgraduate Certificate : 1-year part-time

Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Science and Technology

(Pollution Monitoring and Control)

Year Sem Course

Code

Required Courses

Credit

Units

1

A BCH6105 Pollution Monitoring 3

BCH6112 Environmental Analysis 3

B BCH6102 Environmental Health and Toxicology _{BCH6108 Pollution Control} 3 ₃

Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Science and Technology

(Environmental Health and Resources Management)

Year Sem Course

Code

Required Courses

Credit

Units

1

A BCH6103 Environmental Resources Management 3

BCH6112 Environmental Analysis 3

B BCH6108 Pollution Control _{BCH6117 Sustainable and Green Chemistry} 3 ₃

Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Science and Technology

(Environmental Impact and Risk Assessment)

Year Sem Course

Code

Required Courses

Credit

Units

1

A BCH6105 Pollution Monitoring _{BCH6116 Quality and Environmental Management for} 3

Laboratory 3

B BCH6102 Environmental Health and Toxicology 3

BCH6106 Environmental Impact Assessment 3

Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Science and Technology

(Environmental Health and Food Safety)

Year Sem Course

Code

Required Courses

Credit

Units

1

A BCH6114 Food Processing and Food Chemistry _{BCH6116 Quality and Environmental Management for} 3

Laboratory 3

B BCH6102 Environmental Health and Toxicology 3

VI. ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESSION

1.

Preamble

The assessment of students’ performance is an appraisal of the extent to which students are attaining or have attained the objectives of the programme. The regulatory statements contained in this section should be read in conjunction with, and are subject to the overriding authority of, the Academic Regulations of the City University of Hong Kong.

2.

Assessment Policy and Methods

2.1 Please refer to the “Academic Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Degrees” under

“Academic Regulations & Policies (for Taught Postgraduate Students)” of the “CityU e-Portal/Blackboard” section in the CityU homepage for details. The assessment system consists of a combination of assessments in coursework and written examination. The assessment criteria vary according to the different components of a course.

2.2

Coursework consists of student performance in oral presentations, written assignments, projects and dissertation, participation in tutorial and laboratory sessions. Formal written examinations are held after each semester.

2.3

Starting from Semester B, 2002-03, students must satisfy the following minimum passing requirement for BCH courses:

“A minimum of 30% in coursework as well as in examination, in addition to a minimum of 40% in coursework and examination taken together.”

*Starting from Semester A, 2015-16, students must satisfy the following minimum passing requirement for BCH courses:

“A minimum of 40% in both coursework and examination components.”

2.4

Students should be aware that the assessment of their academic work in the University has two aspects: (1) Students will receive “Grades” for the assessment of courses which will be used to calculate Grade Point Average (GPA); (2) The classification of their awards will be based on a “Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)”.

Students’ overall performance are measured by two types of GPA, a Semester GPA (SGPA) and a Cumulative GPA (CGPA) which will be calculated at the end of a semester. The difference of SGPA and CGPA is that SGPA will only be calculated based on the courses registered in that particular semester, while CGPA is calculated for all courses taken during enrolment for a specific programme. CGPA will be used as the award criteria. Please refer to the “Academic Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Degrees” for the formulae for calculating GPA.

2.5

Students may be granted a postgraduate award only if they have achieved a CGPA

of 2.0 (equivalent to C grade), or above.

Courses are graded according to the following schedule:

Grade Grade

Point Grade Definitions

A+ A A- 4.3 4.0 3.7

Excellent Strong evidence of original thinking; good organization, capacity to analyze and synthesize; superior grasp of subject matter; evidence of extensive knowledge base. B+ B B- 3.3 3.0 2.7

Good Evidence of grasp of subject, some evidence of critical

capacity and analytic ability; reasonable understanding of issues; evidence of familiarity with literature.

C+ C C- 2.3 2.0 1.7

Adequate Student who is profiting from the university experience; understanding of the subject; ability to develop solutions to simple problems in the material.

D 1.0 Marginal Sufficient familiarity with the subject matter to enable

the student to progress without repeating the course.

F 0.0 Failure Little evidence of familiarity with the subject matter;

weakness in critical and analytic skills; limited, or irrelevant use of literature.

P Pass “Pass” in a pass-fail course. Courses to be graded on a

pass-fail basis for a programme are specifically identified under the programme in the course catalogue.

Operational Grades

IP In progress An IP grade is shown where students will register for the same

course in subsequent semesters to complete the assessment of the course.

I Incomplete A grade of incomplete may be granted (i) where there are

extenuating circumstances that have prevented a student from completing required work, or attending the examination; (ii) at the discretion of the Assessment Panel. Where an “I” grade is assigned, the Assessment Panel will approve a schedule for the completion of work, or a supplementary examination. An alternative grade should be assigned no later than four weeks after the "I" grade is first reported or as soon as practicable thereafter.

S Dissertation

Submitted In a dissertation-type course, an S grade is assigned by the Course Leader when a student’s dissertation has been submitted for assessment.

TR Credit

Transfer Assigned when a student is granted transferred credit units for the course.

Z Exemption Assigned when a student is exempted from the course.

AU Audit An audited grade is assigned when an auditing student has completed the conditions established at registration as an auditor. No assessment is made or grade awarded for auditing.

X Late Drop Assigned when a student is permitted to drop the course after the

add/drop deadline.

WD Withdrawn Assigned when a student has registered for the course in a semester/term and subsequently submitted a notification of withdrawal from the University.

2.7 Regarding termination of study, please note the Academic Regulations:

“1. The University has the right to terminate a student’s study for failure to

maintain satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the Examination

Board, or to comply with the policies and procedures of the University.

2. The Examination Board may terminate the study of a student under the

following circumstances:

(i) The student’s SGPA is below 1.00 for two consecutive semesters; or

(ii) The student’s academic progress is unsatisfactory and is unable to meet

the conditions stipulated by the home academic unit after being put on

Academic Probation for two consecutive semesters.

3.

Irrespective of 2 above, the Examination Board may prescribe any other

criteria for terminating a student’s study.

4.

Notwithstanding 2 and 3 above, students’ studies will be terminated if they fail

to pass a required course, or its equivalent/substitute course, after three

attempts.”

2.8 The classification of final awards and recommendations to Senate to confer awards are

made by the Departmental Assessment Panel.

2.9

The demarcation of award boundaries for Taught Postgraduate Degree Programmes is as follows:

Award

For students enrolled

_{or after}

2010/11

in

Distinction CGPA ≥ 3.50

Credit CGPA 3.20-3.49

Pass CGPA 2.00-3.19

2.10

The Assessment Panel is a University body responsible for assigning grades to

students for their courses. If students wish an Assessment Panel to take into

account illness or some other circumstances that has affected their performance in

an examination, or ability to attend an examination, or to complete coursework,

they must refer the circumstances of the case to the home academic unit using the

"Mitigation Request Related to Assessment" System via AIMS and submit the

original of the uploaded supporting document(s) to the home academic unit as soon

as possible and no later than 5 working days of the examination, or the scheduled

date for completing the in-course assessment.

3.

Rules on Academic Honesty

3.1

Please refer to the “Rules on Academic Honesty” under “Academic Regulations & Policies (for Taught Postgraduate Students)” of the “CityU e-Portal / Blackboard section in the CityU homepage for details.

3.2

Academic honesty is central to the conduct of academic work. Students are expected to present their own work, give proper acknowledgement of other's work, and honestly report findings obtained. As part of the University's efforts to educate students about academic honesty, all students are expected to complete an online tutorial on academic honesty and make a declaration on their understanding of academic honesty.

3.4 Plagiarism is a serious offence involving “the use of somebody else’s ideas, words, etc.

as one’s own”. Examples of such acts are copying other students’ work in examinations, in tests, or in tasks for coursework assignments, repetition of part or whole sentences / paragraphs / any materials from hard-copy publications or online sites for one’s own use

without acknowledgement of the source in one’s work.

3.5 Students should refer to the “Guidelines for Writing a Master’s Dissertation” for

proper format of reference citation.

4.

Articulation

4.1 For students who have completed an award level and wish to enrol in a higher award

level within the programme, the previous credits and grades earned from lower level awards within the same programme may count towards the higher award level being pursued and in the calculation of a student’s GPA. The validity period for courses recognized at the time of admission for credit transfer purposes will be 8 years.

4.2

Students can join the programme as a course attendee (not a MSc student) for individual course(s) without the immediate intention of getting the MSc degree to obtain an attendance certificate or certificate of completion. The credits earned can be counted towards:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Science and Technology (12 credit units) • Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology (24 credit units) • Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology with Environmental

Health and Food Safety (30 credit units)

• Master of Science degree in Environmental Science and Technology (30 credit units) • Master of Science degree in Environmental Science and Technology with

Environmental Health and Food Safety (36 credit units)

4.3 The full MSc degree award in EST requires 30 credit units, with the completion of taught

courses plus the Dissertation. The full MSc degree award in EST with Environmental Health and Food Safety requires 36 credit units, with the completion of taught courses plus the Dissertation. Students who have completed all required taught courses without Dissertation may choose to exit the programme at the postgraduate diploma award level (24 credit units for PGD EST; 30 credit units for PGD EST(EHFS)).

4.4

To obtain a Certificate of Completion (per course basis), students must complete all coursework, pass all examinations, and with an attendance rate of at least 80%. To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students have to achieve an attendance rate of 80%.

VII. COMMUNICATION CHANNELS

Course Leaders, Lecturers and Tutors

The role of a Course Leader is to coordinate the activities of individual courses. If you have any problem with your study in a particular course, you should see your Lecturer, Tutor and/or Course Leader without delay. They can be reached by phone or by email, you will find them in general friendly and helpful.

Year Tutors

The Year Tutors are responsible for the day-to-day administration of a specific year of the Programme. For the current academic year 2014-2015, Dr Margaret Murphy is

the First Year Tutor and Dr Paul Shin is the Second Year Tutor. You may consult

them on any matters related to your particular year of study.

Programme Committee and Programme Leader

The Programme Committee is the departmental body responsible for the organization, academic development and monitoring of the programme. The Committee consists of academic staff and student members. Two students from each programme-year, elected by and from the students studying in each year of the programme, are appointed to the Committee on a one-year term. For the 2014-2015 academic year, the Chairman of

the Programme Committee is Prof Michael Lam who is also the Programme

Leader. The Programme Leader reports to the Head of Department and is responsible

for the day-to-day administration of the Programme.

Joint Staff-Student Consultative Committee (JSSCC)

The JSSCC is a formal part of the consultative process between students and staff in the Department, but the meetings are conducted in an informal manner and do not make binding decisions. The idea is to give students an opportunity to express their views on the content and organization of the Programme and to raise any complaint or make any suggestion of a general nature. Student representatives (two from each programme-year) will meet with the Programme Leader and the Year Tutors at least once a semester, usually near the end of the semester.

Blackboard System

Blackboard is an e-learning platform established for all undergraduate and postgraduate courses which can also be used as a means of communication for staff and students. Through Blackboard students can provide feedback to the Programme Leader or Year Tutors throughout the whole year and thus maintain a continuous dialogue with them.

e-Channel for BCH students

A special e-Channel for BCH students was created to facilitate our communication with students. This is available in the “My CityU” page of the “CityU e-Portal/Blackboard”. The e-Channel is the main platform to provide important news and announcements for BCH students’ attention. Please check the e-Channel on a regular basis.

Student Development Services, CityU

The SDS of the CityU has various counselling services that every CityU student can use. Please contact the SDS direct if you need help in solving problems on academic work, personal adjustment, family and social relationship, financial difficulties as well as career development.

VIII. USEFUL INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

The CityU e-Portal/Blackboard (https://eportal.cityu.edu.hk/) is one of the major communication channels between students and staff and the University. Students will be able to locate useful information like University policies, academic regulations, programmes and courses, curriculum planning, examination arrangement and other student facilities/services via the e-portal. To know more about course registration, class scheduling and assessment-related matters, students may also visit the websites of: - Academic Regulations and Records Office: http://www.cityu.edu.hk/arro/.

- Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies: http://www.cityu.edu.hk/sgs.

IX. COURSES AND RESPECTIVE COURSE LEADERS

BCH6102 Environmental Health and Toxicology Prof Michael Lam BCH6103 Environmental Resources Management Dr Paul Shin

BCH6105 Pollution Monitoring Prof Michael Lam

BCH6106 Environmental Impact Assessment Prof Michael Lam

BCH6108 Pollution Control Dr Margaret Murphy

BCH6110 Dissertation Dr Alex Wong

BCH6112 Environmental Analysis Prof Michael Lam

BCH6114 Food Processing and Food Chemistry Dr Vincent Ko

BCH6115 Food Safety and Surveillance Dr Y W Lam

BCH6116 Quality and Environmental Management for

Laboratory Prof Michael Lam

X. COURSE DESCRIPTION

(Details of individual courses are also available on BCH departmental homepage at

http://www.cityu.edu.hk/bch.)

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Course

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Exam

BCH6102 Environmental Health and Toxicology

40% 60%

Prerequisite : Nil

Precursor : Nil

This course aims to provide fundamental concepts in toxicology at the organismal level, with particular emphasis on the effects of environmental toxicants on human health, to students of postgraduate level. On completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts in toxicology and to apply their knowledge to other aspects of environmental management and human / public health.

BCH6103 Environmental Resources Management

30% 70%

Prerequisite : Nil

Precursor : Nil

In this course, students will explore the major issues related to environmental degradation, resources management and sustainable development; develop an appreciation of the environmental problems and management strategies associated with coastal habitat conservation; apply the acquired information and develop innovative strategies to deal with environmental management issues.

BCH6105 Pollution Monitoring

30% 70%

Prerequisite: Nil Precursor : Nil

In this course, students will develop an overview of air and water monitoring in Hong Kong and elsewhere, and consider the theoretical and practical aspects of the design and execution of pollution monitoring programmes, with particular reference to modern pollution-monitoring technologies. On completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of air and water monitoring programmes in Hong Kong and elsewhere, and be able to design and implement pollution monitoring programmes on a local

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Course

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Exam

BCH6106 Environmental Impact Assessment

40% 60%

Prerequisite : Nil

Precursor : Nil

This course aims to develop an in-depth understanding of the concepts, processes and methodologies in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); identify the types of development proposals subject to EIA; and contribute significantly in a team conducting EIA.

BCH6108 Pollution Control

30% 70%

Prerequisite : Nil

Precursor : Nil

This course aims to explore the major issues related to

pollution control, including pollution types and sources, technological aspects of pollution control, and pollution-related legislation and regulations; develop an understanding of the environmental consequences of air, aquatic and terrestrial pollution; develop an appreciation of the interplay between the production, physical control and legislative control of pollution in Hong Kong, China and globally; and evaluate pollution control case studies from Hong Kong, China and globally.

BCH6110 Dissertation

100% Nil

Prerequisite : Nil

Precursor : Nil

This course enables students to become competent in applying theory and methodology to a specific problem, to develop their ability to carry out investigative/research work in a selected area of environmental science, and develop their abilities to present findings in a precise and coherent manner.

BCH6112 Environmental Analysis

30% 70%

Prerequisite : Nil

Precursor : Nil

This course aims to identify and describe general factors in implementing and validating analytical methods in environmental analysis; provide a basic training in laboratory instrumental analysis techniques; apply practicable analytical techniques to solve problems in environmental monitoring and assessment; and demonstrate the synthesis, analysis and interpretation of data from different instrumental analytical techniques.

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Course

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Exam

BCH6114 Food Processing and Food Chemistry

40% 60%

Prerequisite : Nil

Precursor : Nil

This course aims to develop their knowledge and capability in dealing with the composition and properties of food as well as the chemical changes it undergoes during handling, processing and storage. Students will develop their understanding in the effect of chemical and biochemical reactions on the quality and safety of food. They will also identify problems in food sample and apply techniques to solve problems in situations encountered during storage and processing of food.

BCH6115 Food Safety and Surveillance

40% 60%

Prerequisite : Nil

Precursor : Nil

The course aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge on the principles and practices related to the management of food safety and surveillance with special emphasis on issues related to Hong Kong.

BCH6116 Quality and Environmental Management for

Laboratory

40% 60%

Prerequisite : Nil

Precursor : Nil

The aim of this course is to provide essential knowledge of the contemporary concepts, principles and technical skills in quality and environmental management systems, measurement, calibration, audit practices, assurance of energy efficiency and green practices for laboratories to students. Upon the completion of this course, students should be able to apply their knowledge and techniques to various aspects of work of Quality & Environmental Officers/Engineer/Laboratory Professionals.

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BCH6117 Sustainable and Green Chemistry

40% 60%

Prerequisite : Nil

Precursor : Nil

The course teaches the most important concepts and tools of green chemistry that can be used to make future products, processes, and technologies sustainable. The context of green chemistry within scientific discovery and global impact will be addressed in order to provide understanding and appreciation of the students to relevant history and background from which green chemistry is developed. The principles and concepts of green chemistry will then be presented utilizing a framework that has been successfully implemented in classes, seminars, symposia and workshops in countries around the world. Following the thorough presentation of the theoretical basis of green chemistry, there will be examples covering the application of the concepts to various areas.