Science Curriculum at HKUScience Curriculum at HKU

Why Science at HKU?

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Our Professorial staff

• Quality teaching with emphasis on the interaction between teachers and students• A low undergraduate students to teacher ratio 14 : 1

Staff Number

Academic staff

- Professoriate 147

- Research & Academic Support 132

Non-academic Staff

- Administrative & Support 63

- Technical 78

• 6901 Bachelor of Science (BSc)4‐year Programme, a choice of 15 Science majors

• 6729 BSc in Actuarial Science4‐year Programme

• 6119 Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science5‐year Double Degree Programme

Science Undergraduate Programmes

One entry in application for a choice of 15 Science majors

6901 Bachelor of Science6901 Bachelor of Science

• No quota for any particular science major• But quota and timetabling restrictions may apply to 2nd major or minor(s)• Minors and second majors available in Science, Architecture, Arts, Social

Sciences, Business & Economics, Education, Engineering, and Medicine

Major and Minor System

Curriculum Structure

Science Foundation Courses• 2 integrated approach compulsory courses for ALL students• Provide sufficient background for all majors in the 6901 programme

4-year 6901 BSc Programmecomponent courses no. of courses

(credits)%

Compulsory Common CoreEnglishChinese

6 courses (36)2 courses (12)1 course (6)

22.5%

SpecializationScience Major

16 courses (including two Science Foundation courses and a capstone course) (96)

40%

Electives Electives, or courses leading to a minor or

a 2nd major15 courses (90) 37.5%

Total 40 courses (240) 100%

* A student usually takes 10 courses per year, 6 credits per course

Yr 4 Cap- stone 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

Example of 6901 Programme Structure By YearCC - Common Core CoursesSF - Science Foundation Courses

• 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.

Academic Advisory System

• No quota for any Science major• Complete freedom in choosing any

Science major•

• Declare major by the end of the second year

• Second major* and minor* options in Science and non-Science faculties

* subject to minimum academic requirement imposed by individual faculty/major

The Common Admission Policy is The Common Admission Policy is Simple and Flexible! Simple and Flexible!

HKU Science is the first to introduce this policy HKU Science is the first to introduce this policy since 2007since 2007

Diverse Learning Experiences

Diverse Learning Experiences

Undergraduate Research Fellowship Programme

Early Research Experiences

Project

Title Supervisor

New Scheme for Numerical Solution to BVP Prof John Strain, University of California

Particle methods with financial applications Dr P Del Moral, INRIA‐Bordeaux‐Sud‐Ouest Research Centre

Detection of Assest Bubbles in Real Time: Some Empirical Results Prof Philip E Protter, Columbia University

Heparin Mimicking Polymers for Stabilizing basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Prof Heather D. Maynard, University of California

Photometric Observation of PSR J1311‐3430 With BVIT Prof Roger W. Romani, Stanford University

Hypoxia and Thrombosis‐associated Cancer Progression Prof Randall Johnson, University of Cambridge

The role of Suppressor of fused in the formation of mouse cranial facial skeleton and 

outflow tract of embryonic heart Prof C C Hui, University of Toronto

Protein Kinase B mediated effect of amino acid deprivation on de

novo purine synthesis Prof Gerry R. Boss, University of California, San Diego

Overseas Research Fellowship (ORF) and Undergraduate Research Fellowship Programme (URFP) Scheme 2012-2013

• Over 130 overseas universities have exchange agreement with HKU

• 118 students traveled abroad for overseas exchange in 2012-2013

• Overseas Research Fellowship, Field trips, Internship, Service Learning

International Exposures

Earth Sciences Field Camp in Cyprus

Ecology Field Trip in Kenya

Environmental Science Field Course in JapanLocal Geology Field Work

Summer Course on Sustainable Food at The University of British Columbia

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

• 21% of Science graduates in 2011 pursued further studies (Overall % of HKU – 18%)

Princeton

Stanford

Oxford

Cambridge

Chicago 

McGill

Columbia

Michigan

MIT

Texas

Caltech

UC San Diego

SLAC

UCLA

Illinois

SBU

Some of the institutionsour students went

Overall Employment Situation

Civil Services  Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Dept., Environmental Protection Dept., Food and Environmental Hygiene 

Dept., Hospital Authority, Census and Statistics Dept., Education Bureau, Government Lab, Hong Kong Observatory

Geotechnical Industries mining industry, soil and water specialists, site formation works, foundation construction, tunneling

Computer Industries  scientific computing, software development

Food Industries nutritionist, quality assurance officer, health promoter, medical sales

Green and Environmental Industries policy advisor, environmental consultant, ecotourism, conservation groups, 

green energy R&D

Biotech and pharmaceutical Industries product consultants, business and management analysts, research 

assistants, medical technologists, scientific officers

Commerce banking, finance, accounting, insurance

Testing Labs  professional chemists in government and commercial labs, environmental labs using eco‐toxicology, bio‐remediation, 

pollution control and environmental protection

Technical Management industrial plant management, habitats and ecosystems management, mineral and rare‐earth 

resource management, slope safety management, hazard planning and management, risk 

management

Engineering aerospace, communications, energy

R&D scientist; Technical Marketing; Education; Museums; Journalism; Social Services

etc.

Wide Career Prospects

Admission Requirements

For HKDSE StudentsFor HKDSE Students

Admission requirementsAdmission requirements

HKU General Entrance Requirements:

*For admission to 6901 BSc programme, one of the Elective subjects must be Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science or Integrated Science

ProgrammeTotal No. of elective(s) required and the level requirement(s)

Specific subject requirements

Additional subject requirements

Additional level

requirements

6901 Bachelor of Science

2

Level: 3

One of the following- Biology- Chemistry- Physics-

Combined Science-

Integrated Science

Nil Nil

6119 Bachelor of Education & Bachelor of Science

6729 Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science

Nil Extended Module 1 or Module 2 of Mathematics

Mathematics: Level 4

Extended Module of Mathematics: Level 4

ProgrammeProgramme‐‐specific Admission Requirementsspecific Admission Requirements

Minimum Requirement•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•Must include English, Mathematics, Best Science Subject•Plus best 2 of the remaining subjects, including M1/M2•Heavier weight for Science Subjects, Math, and M1/M2 •Aptitude test to differentiate borderline students•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

Selection Criteria of 6901Selection Criteria of 6901 for HKDSE students admitted in 2014

2013 JUPAS Admission Grade

Note: admission is not necessarily based on 

examination results alone;

the examination results 

of applicants admitted to each programme vary 

from year to year

Level 5** 5* 5 4 3 2 1

Score 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The HKDSE “level/grade to score” scale

CurriculumTotal Score of Best 5 HKDSE Subjects

Highest Score Lowest Score

6901 BSC 34 23

6729 BSC(AC) 35 28

6119 BED&BSC 32 25

2013 Admission Data6901 BSc 6729 BSc(AC) 6119 BEd&BSc

No. of Local

students 377 ‐

334 JUPAS; (89%)‐43 Non‐JUPAS (11%)

61‐54 JUPAS;

(89%)‐7 Non‐JUPAS

(11%)

24‐15 JUPAS;

(63%)‐9 Non‐JUPAS

(37%)

No. of Non‐local students

(Separate quota)62‐

27 mainland;‐

35 international

25‐20 mainland;‐5 international

‐

Total no. of students 

admitted439 86 24

No. of students admitted to 

the 3rd

year in the 4‐year 

curriculum through the 

Direct Admissions Scheme

72 ‐ ‐

Quota for 2014•

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): 70

Science Entrance ScholarshipsScience Entrance Scholarships(for JUPAS (for JUPAS -- 6901 BSc programme)6901 BSc programme)

Level 5** 5* 5 4 3 2 1

Score 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The HKDSE “level/grade to score” scale# The results are based on one sitting only. Students must be non-HKDSE repeaters and must fulfill the minimum University entrance requirements.

HKDSE Results (Total Score in best 5 subjects

in Category A or C)

No. of Level 5** Scholarship Amount(HK$)

Score of 357 x Level 5** $ 30,0006 x Level 5** $ 20,0005 x Level 5** $ 15,000

Score of 34 -- $ 10,000Score of 33 -- $ 8,000Score of 32 -- $ 6,000Score of 31 -- $ 4,000Score of 30 -- $ 2,000

University Life

Whole-Person EducationAs 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

http://www.scifac.hku.hk/community/enrichment/jsihttp://www.facebook.com/jsi.hku

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Faculty of Science, HKU

Email: science@hku.hkWebsite: www.scifac.hku.hk

Phone: 2859 2683

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