Science Curriculum at HKU Last Update: 4 Nov 2014
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: science@hku.hk Website: www.scifac.hku.hk Phone: 3917 2683
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