Science Curriculum at HKU

(1)

Science Curriculum at HKU

(2)

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

(3)

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

(4)

• 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

(5)

Why Science at

HKU?

Biological Sciences

Chemistry

Earth Sci

ences

Mathematics

Physics

(6)

• Quality teaching with emphasis on the interaction between

teachers and students

• A

low

undergraduate students to teacher ratio 12 : 1

(7)



One entry in application for a choice of

15 Science majors

6901 Bachelor of Science

(8)

Astronomy

Biochemistry

The physical universe; Observational astronomy; Principles of astronomy; Astrophysics; Planetary science; Stellar physics; Introductory quantum physics; Stellar atmosphere; Cosmology

Metabolism; Principles of molecular genetics; Introduction to bioinformatics; Molecular biology of the gene; Advanced techniques in biochemistry & molecular biology; Protein structure and function

Biological Sciences

Genetics and cell biology, Physiology and systems biology, Diversity of life and environmental biology, Applied biology

Chemistry

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.

(9)

Earth System Science

Physics and Chemistry of Earth System Processes; Earth Observation; Solid Earth, Ocean, Atmosphere Interactions; Earth System History; Biogeochemical Cycles

Ecology & Biodiversity

Biometrics; Systematics & phylogenetics; Conservation

biology; Evolution; Terrestrial ecology; Fish biology; Biological oceanography; Freshwater ecology

Environmental 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 & Nutritional Science

Food safety and quality management; Food toxicology; Food product development; Fermentation technology; Meat and diary science

(10)

Mathematics/Physics

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

Mathematics

Geology

Petrology; Sedimentary Environments; Igneous and Metamorphic Petrogenesis; Geophysics; Structural Geology; Earth Dynamics

Algebra; Analysis I; Numerical analysis; Operations research; Game theory and strategy; Geometry; Number theory; Functions of a complex variable; Differential equations; Scientific computing

(11)

Physics

Risk Management

Statistics

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

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

(12)

• 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

(13)

(14)

BSc 6901 Programme

component

courses

no. of courses

(credits)

%

Compulsory

Common Core

English

Chinese

6 courses (36)

2 courses (12)

1 course (6)

22.5%

Specialization

Science Major

16 courses

Science Foundation courses

(including two

and a capstone course) (

96)

40%

Electives

Electives, or courses

leading to a minor or

a 2nd major

15 courses (90)

37.5%

Total

40 courses (240)

100%

(15)

Yr 4

_stone

Cap-

Major

Yr 3

CC

Chi

Major

Yr 2

CC

Eng 2

Major

Yr 1

CC

Eng 1

SF1

SF2

Major

Note: different distributions of courses over the years are possible

Example of 6901 Programme Structure By Year

CC - Common Core Courses SF - Science Foundation Courses

(16)

• 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.

(17)

(18)

Early Research Experiences

Project Title Supervisor

Explore the functions of histone modifications and methylations Prof S E Jacobsen,

University of California, Los Angeles

Investigation of thiamine biosynthesis in Salmonella enterica Dr Diana Down,

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Principal Modes of Variability in the Tropics from 9-Year AMSU Data Prof Y L Yung,

California Institute of Technology

MST-Clustering method for ratemaking Dr M Ludkovski,

University of California, Santa Barbara Design, construction, and testing a new supphur hexafluoride (SF6) injector

using a membrane contactor

Prof J F Clark,

University of California, Santa Barbara Identification of shrimp tropomyosin (sT)mimotope sequence used in mimotope

DNA anaphylaxis vaccine for shrimp allergy

Dr P S C Leung,

University of California, Davis

(19)

• 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

International

Exposure

(20)

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.

(21)

• 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

The Common Admission Policy is

Simple and Flexible!

HKU Science is the first to introduce this policy

since 2007

(22)

Admission

Requirements

(23)

For HKDSE Students

Admission requirements

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

(24)

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

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

Admission Requirements

(25)

-

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

Selection Criteria of 6901

(26)

• 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

Quota

(27)

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

(28)

All-rounded

Education

(29)

(30)

http://www.scifac.hku.hk/community/enrichment/jsi

http://www.facebook.com/jsi.hku

(31)

www.facebook.com

/6901.hku

Ask Admission

on facebook

Faculty of Science, HKU

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.hku.hk/science

Phone: 2859 2683