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Science Curriculum at HKU
Last Update: 4 Nov 2014
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
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, ...
Science Education
 It is sometimes not just the contents but also the training which you go through
that counts for your future career
 Helps students develop a scientific mind that is strong in
 analytical thinking
 quantitative and logical reasoning
 Undergraduate broad-based science training is an important foundation for the
training of future scientists
 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
Statistics & Actuarial Science
Physics
Mathematics
Earth Sciences
Chemistry
Biological Sciences
Why study Science at HKU?
Our Professorial Staff
 Quality
teaching with
emphasis on
the interaction
between
teachers and
students
Reformed Science Curriculum
Science Undergraduate Programmes
• 6901 Bachelor of Science (BSc)
4-year Programme, a choice of 15 Science majors
• 6729 BSc in Actuarial Science
4-year Programme
• 6119 Bachelor of Education and
Bachelor of Science
5-year Double Degree Programme
The Common Admission Policy is
Simple and Flexible
 One entry in the application with a choice of
15 Science majors (HKU Science is the first to
introduce this policy since 2007)
 No quota for any particular Science major
 Complete freedom in choosing any Science
major
 Declare major by the end of the second year of
study
 Second major* and minor* options in Science
and non-Science faculties
* Subject to the minimum academic requirements imposed by the respective faculty
6901 Bachelor of Science Programme
One entry in the application with a
choice of 15 Science majors
List of 15








Majors for 6901 Bachelor of Science Programme
Astronomy
Biochemistry
Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Earth System Science
Ecology & Biodiversity
Environmental Science
Food & Nutritional Science




Geology
Mathematics
Mathematics/Physics
Molecular Biology &
Biotechnology
 Physics
 Risk Management
 Statistics
Second Major / Major-Minor Option in the Curriculum
The Second Major /
Major-Minor Options are
to broaden students’
horizon outside the
subject of
specialization



No quota for any particular Science major
But quota and timetabling restrictions may apply to second major or minor(s)
Second major and minor(s) available in Science, Architecture, Arts, Social
Sciences, Business & Economics, Education, Engineering and Medicine
Key Features of Science Curriculum at HKU
Common Core Curriculum
 Key common core curriculum for ALL HKU students
 Broaden students’ horizons beyond the chosen disciplinary fields of study
 Enable students to develop a critical understanding of the complexities and
the interconnectedness of contemporary issues, intellectual skills and
professional ethics
 Exploring issues of profound significance to humankind
4 Areas of Inquiries:
Science Foundation Courses
• 2 compulsory Science Foundation courses for ALL 6901 programme students
• To equip 6901 programme students with sufficient background for all majors in
the programme
Scientific Method and Reasoning
• The nature and methodology of science
• Quantitative Reasoning – Mathematics
• Quantitative Reasoning – Statistics
Fundamentals of Modern Science
• Universal principles and unifying
concepts of science
• Fundamental structure of matter
• Atoms and molecules
• DNA/Genetic
• Cells and systems
• Organism and environment
• Earth and Beyond
4-year 6901 BSc 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
(including two Science
Foundation courses and a
capstone course) (96)
40%
Electives
Electives
or
courses leading to
a second major or
a minor
15 courses (90)
37.5%
40 courses (240)
100%
Total
* 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
SF2
Major
SF1
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, abilities and career aspirations
Diverse Learning Experiences
Diverse Learning Experiences
Undergraduate Research
Fellowship Programme
Early Research Experiences
Objective: To nurture undergraduate researchers
Overseas
Research
Directed Studies,
Final Year projects,
engagement in
International
Competitions
Undergraduate
Research
Fellowship
Programme (URFP)
Overseas
universities at which our students
Fellowship
Overseas
acquired
research experience in 2014 include:
Scheme
Research
 University
(ORF) of Cambridge
Fellowship
 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Scheme (ORF)  University of Toronto
 The University of Queensland
Summer
Research
Fellowship
Scheme (SRF)
Students do researches
under supervision of
professorial staff of our
faculty
International
Exposures
 HKU has exchange agreements
with over 240 world-class
universities
 129 BSc students travelled abroad
for overseas exchange in 2013-14
Earth Sciences Field Camp in Cyprus
Field Trips &
Summer Courses in Overseas Universities
Local Geology Field Work
Environmental Science Field Course in Japan
Summer Course on Sustainable Food at The University of British Columbia
Ecology Field Trip in Kenya
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Exchange Studies
Internship Opportunities
Broad Further Study Options
 Undergraduate study is only a foundation to
scientific research and professional scientific
career
 Postgraduate studies also possible in medical
sciences, engineering, computing,
pharmacology, materials sciences,
economics, and business
 20% of Science graduates in 2013 pursued
further studies
Some of the institutions
our students went for
further studies
Princeton
MIT
Stanford
Texas
Oxford
Caltech
Cambridge
UC San Diego
Chicago
SLAC
McGill
UCLA
Columbia
Illinois
Michigan
SBU
Overall Employment Situation
Wide Career Prospects
Finance
e.g. iBanking,
insurance
Biotech and
Pharmaceutical
Industries
e.g. product consultants,
medical technologists,
scientific officers
Food
Industries
Geotechnical
Industries
e.g. nutritionist,
quality assurance
officer
e.g. soil and water
specialists,
site formation works
Management
e.g. industrial plant
management,
risk management
Civil Services
6901 BSc Programme
Green and
Environmental
Industries
e.g. environmental
consultant,
green energy R&D
Labs
Engineering
e.g. aerospace,
communications,
energy
e.g. government
and commercial
labs,
QA companies
Computer
Industries
e.g. scientific
computing,
software
development
e.g. Environmental
Protection Dept.,
Census and
Statistics Dept.
R&D Scientist;
Education;
Technical Marketing;
Museums;
Social Services;
Journalism
… etc
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
For HKDSE Students
HKU General Entrance Requirements:
For admission to 6901 BSc programme, one of the
electives must be a Science Subject (Biology,
Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science or Integrated
Science)
Programme-specific Admission Requirements
Programme
Total no. of electives
required and the
level requirements
6901 Bachelor
of Science
6119 Bachelor
of Education
& Bachelor of
Science
6729 Bachelor
of Science in
Actuarial
Science
2 elective subjects
Level: 3
Specific subject
requirements
At least one elective
in the following
subject
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Combined Science
- Integrated Science
Nil
Additional subject
requirements
Additional level
requirements
Nil
Nil
Extended Module
1 or Module 2 of
Mathematics
Mathematics:
Level 4
Extended Module
of Mathematics:
Level 4
Selection Criteria of 6901
for HKDSE students admitted in 2015
Minimum Requirements


332233 in 4 core and 2 elective subjects (4+2x)
One of the 2x must be a Science Subject (Biology, Chemistry,
Physics, Combined Science and Integrated Science)
Admission Principle – Best 5



English + Mathematics + Best Science Elective
+ the BEST 2 of other Subjects / M1 / M2
Heavier weight for Science Electives, Math and M1/M2
Aptitude test to differentiate borderline students
2013 and 2014 JUPAS Admission Scores
Programme
Total Score of Best 5 HKDSE Subjects
2013
2014
6901 BSc
23 - 34
23 - 34
6729 BSc(AC)
28 - 35
27 - 35
6119 BEd & BSc
25 - 32
24 - 30
Note: admission is not necessarily based on
examination results alone; the examination results
of applicants admitted to each programme vary
from year to year
The HKDSE ‘level to score’ scale
Level
5**
5*
5
4
3
2
1
Score
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
2014-15 Admission Figures
6901 BSc
6729 BSc(AC)
6119 BEd & BSc
24
- 19 JUPAS (63%)
- 5 Non-JUPAS (37%)
No. of local students
360
- 312 JUPAS (89%)
- 48 Non-JUPAS (11%)
64
- 54 JUPAS (89%)
- 10 Non-JUPAS (11%)
No. of non-local students
(Separate quota)
74
- 39 Mainland
- 35 International
21
- 15 Mainland
- 6 International
Total no. of students admitted
No. of students admitted to the
3rd year in the 4-year
curriculum through the Direct
Admissions Scheme
1 International
434
85
25
75
-
-
2015-16 Admission Quota
 Quota for 6901 BSc programme (JUPAS + Local Non-JUPAS): 358
(Separate quota for mainland and international students)
 Quota for 6729 BSc(AC) programme: 70
 Quota for 6119 BEd&BSc programme: 25
 Quota for Direct Admissions Scheme (students admitted to
the 3rd year in the 4-year curriculum): 74
Science Entrance Scholarships
(for JUPAS - 6901 BSc programme)
HKDSE Results
(Total Score in the best 5
subjects in Category A or C)
No. of Level 5**
Scholarship Amount
(HK$)
7 x Level 5**
$ 30,000
6 x Level 5**
$ 20,000
5 x Level 5**
$ 15,000
Score of 34
--
$ 10,000
Score of 33
--
$ 8,000
Score of 32
--
$ 6,000
Score of 31
--
$ 4,000
Score of 30
--
$ 2,000
Score of 35
The HKDSE ‘level to score’ scale
Note: The results are based on one sitting only.
Students must NOT BE HKDSE REPEATERS and
must fulfill the minimum University entrance
requirements
Level
5**
5*
5
4
3
2
1
Score
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Whole-Person Education
As a HKU Science student, you will be educated:
 to learn how to learn
 to reason quantitatively and to understand scientific aspects of
complex issues
 to tackle novel situations
 to work and communicate effectively with others within and outside
the science disciplines
 to develop as an all-rounded individual
University Life
Fabulous activities enriching
students’ university lives
To promote science literacy in secondary schools
http://www.scifac.hku.hk/community/enrichment/jsi
http://www.facebook.com/jsi.hku
Faculty’s latest
information on
Facebook
www.facebook.com/science.hku
Faculty of Science, HKU
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.scifac.hku.hk
Phone: 3917 2683