1. Induction Day for 6901 BSc I Students
BSc Curriculum and Course Selection
Prof Wai Kin Chan
Associate Dean (Student Affairs)
August 15, 2014
Faculty of Science
The University of Hong Kong

2. Welcome to Faculty of Science!2

3. BSc Curriculum & Graduation Requirements Academic Advising System
Course selection
Plagiarism
Disciplinary Issues
Regulations on Discontinuation 3

4. 6901 BSc Curriculum 4

5. Curriculum structure of the BSc Degree (240 Credits)

6. Science Majors
Choose any one of the 15 Science majors as primary Science major
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

7. Science Minors 16 Science Minors Actuarial Studies Astronomy
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Computational & Financial Mathematics
Earth Sciences
Ecology & Biodiversity
Environmental Science
Food & Nutritional Science
Marine Biology
Mathematics
Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
Physics
Plant Science
Risk Management
Statistics

8. Minors and 2nd Majors available for BSc students
Science
Arts
Business & Economics
Education
Engineering
Social Sciences
Minors
Science
Architecture
Arts
Business and Economics
Education
Engineering
Medicine
Social Sciences
*Non-science major can only be taken as 2nd major. Some non-Science
majors/minors may require a minimum academic results before you are
allowed to enroll in them

9. Major-Minor and Double-Major Options
Selection of
2nd Major
Optional +
One Science Major
Selection of
Minors
Optional +
Science or
non-Science disciplines *
* Quota & timetabling restrictions may apply. Some non-Science majors/minors may require a minimum academic result before you are allowed to enroll in them.

10. BSc Curriculum Requirements

11. Example of BSc programme structure by year of study
CC - Common Core Courses Eng 1 – Core University English
SF - Science Foundation Courses Eng 2 – English in the Discipline
Chi - Chinese
Note: Different distributions of courses over the years are possible. Blank boxes can be used for elective courses, or courses leading to a minor or a 2nd major.

12. Common Core Curriculum
The Common Core Curriculum is designed to provide key common learning experience for all HKU students and to broaden their horizons beyond their chosen disciplinary fields of study.
It focuses on issues that have been, and continue to be, of deeply profound significance to mankind, the core intellectual skills that all HKU undergraduates should acquire and the core values that they should uphold.
The Common Core Curriculum is divided into four Areas of Inquiry (AoIs):
(1) Scientific and Technological Literacy;
(2) Humanities;
(3) Global Issues;
(4) China: Culture, State and Society.
Students have to pass 36 credits of courses in the Common Core Curriculum, selecting not more than one course from the same Area of Inquiry within one academic year and at least one and not more than two courses from each Area of Inquiry during the whole period of study.
Common Core courses should be completed normally within the first three years of the BSc study.

13. Capstone Requirement
Capstone experience is an integral part of the major programme which focuses on integration and application of knowledge and skills gained in the early years of study.
The capstone course carries a minimum of 6 credits and students must complete this for fulfillment of the graduation requirements.
Capstone course is normally taken in the senior years (year 3 or 4) of study. The earliest that a student is allowed to take a capstone course is their year 3 study.
The capstone courses in each Science major may be different but a range of courses (e.g. research project, seminar, field work, internship and capstone project) is offered to suit individual student’s needs and interests.
For students who double major in 2 Science majors, it is possible for students to take only 1 capstone course in their primary major to fulfill the capstone requirement of both majors, if approval is obtained from the major coordinators of both majors. Students should then take a 6-credit advanced course in the second major instead.
Students should complete the “Application for Exemption from Taking a Capstone Course” if they wish to seek exemption in taking capstone course in their second major.

14. Capstone Requirement (Cont’)
Students will be informed, via , of the application details and requirements of capstone courses in mid-September 2014.  A briefing session on capstone requirement will also be organized in mid-September 2014.
The Faculty has added a new section of FAQ on capstone requirement in the Faculty website at
Other updated curriculum and course selection matters can also be found at the website for current students:

15. List of capstone courses by major
BSc - Major
Recognized Capstone Courses
1. Biochemistry
1. BIOC3999 Directed studies in biochemistry (6) 2. BIOC4966 Biochemistry internship (6) 3. BIOC4999 Biochemistry project (12)
2. Biological Sciences 3. Food & Nutritional Science 4. Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
1. BIOL3955 Biological sciences field course (6) 2. BIOL3999 Directed studies in biological sciences (6) 3. BIOL4966 Biological sciences internship (6) 4. BIOL4999 Biological sciences project (12)
5. Chemistry
1. CHEM3999 Directed studies in chemistry (6) 2. CHEM4910 Chemistry literacy and research (6) 3. CHEM4911 Capstone experience for chemistry undergraduates: HKUtopia (6) 4. CHEM4966 Chemistry internship (6) 5. CHEM4999 Chemistry project (12)
6. Earth System Science
1. EASC4911 Earth system: contemporary issues (6)
7. Ecology & Biodiversity
1. BIOL3955 Biological sciences field course (6) 2. BIOL3999 Directed studies in biological sciences (6) 3. BIOL4911 Conservation science in practice (6) 4. BIOL4966 Biological sciences internship (6) 5. BIOL4999 Biological sciences project (12)
8. Environmental Science
1. ENVS3999 Directed studies in environmental science (6) 2. ENVS4955 Environmental science in practice (6) 3. ENVS4966 Environmental science internship (6) 4. ENVS4999 Environmental science project (12)
9. Geology
1. EASC4955 Integrated field studies (6)

16. List of capstone courses by major (Cont’)
BSc - Major
Recognized Capstone Courses
10. Mathematics
1. MATH3999 Directed studies in mathematics (6) 2. MATH4910 Senior mathematics seminar (6) 3. MATH4911 Mathematics capstone project (6) 4. MATH4966 Mathematics internship (6) 5. MATH4999 Mathematics project (12)
11. Mathematics / Physics
1. MATH3999 Directed studies in mathematics (6) 2. MATH4910 Senior mathematics seminar (6) 3. MATH4911 Mathematics capstone project (6) 4. MATH4966 Mathematics internship (6) 5. MATH4999 Mathematics project (12) 6. PHYS3999 Directed studies in physics (6) 7. PHYS4966 Physics internship (6) 8. PHYS4999 Physics project (12)
12. Astronomy 13. Physics
1. PHYS3999 Directed studies in physics (6) 2. PHYS4966 Physics internship (6) 3. PHYS4999 Physics project (12)
14. Risk Management 15. Statistics
1. STAT3799 Directed studies in statistics (6) 2. STAT4710 Capstone experience for statistics/risk management undergraduates (6) 3. STAT4766 Statistics internship (6) 4. STAT4799 Statistics project (12)

17. Students taking double Majors, Major-Minor or double Minors with overlapping course requirements
Double-counting of courses up to a maximum of 24 credits is permissible with double majors. The double-counted courses in both Science majors must include SCNC1111 and SCNC1112.
Additional credits to be double-counted must be for courses required (‘must take’) by both majors. For cases with 24 or less double-counted credits, students must make up an equivalent number of credits by taking other courses offered by any Faculty.

18. Students taking double Majors, Major-Minor or double Minors with overlapping course requirements (Cont’)
The following list shows the major-major combinations that have more than 24 credits of the same courses that appear in both majors and is subject to the rule of double counting:
Major-Major combination
No. of common courses (credits) appear in both majors including SCNC1111 and SCNC1112
No. of replacement courses (credits) to be taken in the 2nd major
Major in Astronomy Major in Physics
6 (36 credits)
2 (12 credits)
Major in Astronomy Major in Mathematics/Physics
5 (30 credits)
1 (6 credits)
Major in Earth System Science Major in Geology
Major in Biochemistry Major in Chemistry
Major in Biochemistry Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
Major in Ecology & Biodiversity Major in Food & Nutritional Science
Major in Ecology & Biodiversity Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
Major in Food & Nutritional Science Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
7 (42 credits)
3 (18 credits)

19. Students taking double Majors, Major-Minor or double Minors with overlapping course requirements (Cont’)
If more than 24 credits (including SCNC1111 & SCNC1112) are listed as required courses (“must take”) in both the first and second majors undertaken by students, students must make up the number of credits above the 24 permissible by taking replacement course(s) in the second major. The replacement course(s) must have the same prefix and at the same or higher level as the double-counted course(s). The double counted credits should count the following courses in this order: (1) SCNC1111 and SCNC1112, (2) introductory level (levels 1 and 2) courses, and (3) advanced level (level 3 or above) courses.
Double counting of credits is not permissible for major–minor or double-minors combinations. When a course is required (“must take”) both by the major and minor or by both minors, students must take a replacement course for the minor. The replacement course must have the same prefix and at the same or higher level as the course to be replaced.
For the situations of 2 and 3 above, students have to complete the application form, seek the written endorsement from the Course Selection Adviser of the second major / minor and then return it to the Faculty Office by the closing dates of course selection or add/drop periods.

20. SCNC1111 SCNC1111 SCNC1112 SCNC1112 BIOL1110 BIOL1110
Example: A student is taking Food & Nutritional Science as the first major and Molecular Biology & Biotechnology as the second major. The following courses are compulsory (must take)
Food & Nutritional Science Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
SCNC1111 SCNC1111
SCNC1112 SCNC1112
BIOL BIOL1110
BIOL BIOL2102
BIOL BIOL2103
BIOL BIOL2220
BIOL BIOL2306
…… ……..
Double Counting of the first 24 credits is allowed.
Needs to take a replacement course in 2nd major (at the same or higher level with the approval by a course selection adviser)

21. Graduation Requirements
Satisfied the requirements in UG5 of the Regulations for First Degree Curricula#;
Passed no fewer than 240 credits, comprising 96 credits of the required courses as prescribed in the major programme of the BSc degree curriculum.
# UG5 specifies that students have to successfully complete:
12 credits in English language enhancement, including 6 credits in Core University English and 6 credits in an English in the Discipline course;
6 credits in Chinese language enhancement;
36 credits of courses in the Common Core Curriculum, selecting not more than one course from the same Area of Inquiry within one academic year and at least one and not more than two courses from each Area of Inquiry during the whole period of study; and
a capstone experience as specified in the syllabuses of the degree curriculum.

22. Honours Classification
Classification of honours are calculated using the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) as below:
CGPA range
First Class Honours – 4.30
Second Class Honours Division I 3.00 – 3.59
Second Class Honours Division II 2.40 – 2.99
Third Class Honours – 2.39
Pass – 1.69
Credits granted for advanced standing in recognition of studies completed successfully elsewhere before admission to the University and credits transfer in recognition of studies completed on exchange during candidature at HKU are not included in the calculation of CGPA.

23. Notes on Course Selection of Science Foundation Courses
The two Science Foundation courses can be taken in ANY ORDER, i.e., it is not necessary to take SCNC1111 first. 
Please enroll in BOTH courses (including the one to be taken in Semester 2) in one go. If you have not enrolled in both courses by the start of September, you will be randomly assigned to an available sub-class that has no timetable conflict with your other registered courses.
If in either course you are “disapproved” from one sub-class, please choose ANOTHER SUB-CLASS of the same course. Some sub-classes may be more popular among your fellow classmates. Choosing such sub-classes may lower your chances of being "approved" into the course.
Please check the ballot result on a regular basis until the status for both courses are “approved”.

24. Academic Advising System24 24

25. I am a freshman
I want to have someone to discuss with… or should I read the information by myself?
How much time and effort am I willing to devote to studying?
What major am I truly interested in?
What do I want to do after graduation?
Where can I find relevant information?
What do I want to achieve for my university study? 25 25

26. Before selecting your minor, or courses……
Think……
What’s the qualification/prerequisite required of by that minor or course?  Am I eligible to take
What are my strengths and weaknesses?
What are my academic goal and interests?
You can explore different possibilities using a semester or so…… 26 26

27. Where can you obtain information & advice?27 27

28. Faculty Academic Advisory System
A) Information-based Advising
~ Web resources
B) Personal Academic Advising
~ Academic Advisers
C) Course Selection Advisers
~ Deal with course selection/approval on a specific major
D) Student Peer Advisers
~ Academic Advising by Yr 2, 3 students

29. Faculty of Science website
A) Web resources
Faculty of Science website 29 29

30. Web resources (cont’) A list of information is available for students
A list of information is
available for students
online in our website
Important information
about the BSc
curriculum and course
selection
Update regularly for
latest information
from the Faculty 30 30

31. Web resources (cont’) http://www.scifac.hku.hk/ug/current
Advice and self-exploration before selection of majors and minors
BSc regulations, Course Selection procedures and important events
BSc syllabuses (full list of majors and minors and BSc courses with courses description) 31 31

32. Web resources (cont’d)
Academic Advising Office of the University

33. B) Faculty Academic Advising Team
Academic Advisers
Will be assigned to you by the faculty according to your top three intended majors
Facilitate freshmen to set academic and personal goals
Offer academic advice on intended major
Offer guidance for your transition from secondary school to university, and enriching your total learning experience
Your ‘Course History’ has to be endorsed by your academic adviser by the end of the add/drop period in the 1st semester
You are required to meet your assigned Academic Adviser once every semester in your first year of study! 33 33

34. Faculty Academic Advising Team (Cont’)
Student Adviser/Student Advising Officer
General advice
Course Selection Advisers
Teachers representing all majors/ minors offered in the Faculty of Science
Provide academic advice on major(s)/ minor(s) and course selection
Approval of pre-requisite / timetable clashes waiver
Approval of replacement course (if a major/minor or major/major combination share the same core course)
Approval for taking course load deviating from normal load (taking< 24 credits or > 36 to 42 in a semester or taking > 72 credits in a year)
Students are not allowed to take more than 72 credits in year 1

35. Faculty Academic Advising Team (Cont’)
Student Peer Advisers
A group of dedicated senior students that serve as a contact point for freshmen regarding academic enquiries
Student peer advisers will be available at the ‘Student Peer Adviser Corner’ at the Faculty Office during the add/drop period to answer your enquires!
Student Peer Advising Corner

36. SIS for Academic Advising36

37. Student Center 37

38. Click adviser name to send email.
Student Center
Click adviser name to send . 38

39. Course Selection 39 39

40. Timetable of events for course selection (BSc I only)
Aug 20- Aug 26 Course selection period
Sep 1 1st semester starts
Sep Course add/drop period (1st semester)
Jan 19 2nd semester starts
Jan 19- Jan 30 Course add/drop period (2nd semester)

41. What you MUST do …
Step 1
Select your courses for the 1st and 2nd semesters from the SIS. Obtain approval from course selection advisers if necessary
Step 2
Make an appointment with your Academic Adviser. Print out ‘My Course History’ from the SIS and bring to your Academic Adviser for his/her endorsement
Step 3
Bring your endorsed ‘My Course History’, Course Approval Form (if applicable), Application form for taking a replacement course (if applicable)
 to the Faculty of Science Office
*only for the 1st year
Remarks: You can only choose courses from your own curriculum (4-year curriculum)
By 4 pm on Sep 12 41

42. Course add/drop periods
(September 2014 and January 2015)
(Sep 1 / Jan 19, 10am)
(Sep 1-12/ Jan 19-30)
(submission deadline: Sep 12, 4pm)
(September 23 / February 10, 10am)

43. Declaration of Major/Minor
You do not have to decide your major in the first year!
Talk with your Academic Adviser for ideas and suggestions!!!

44. Declaration of major/minor
On-line course selection via SIS under HKU Portal website (
You have to declare your primary Science major (and/or minors and 2nd majors) online during the course selection period in August before the start of your third year of study, the latest
Your declared major/ minor can be changed afterwards*
* as long as the course selection system is opened (during the course selection period and course add/drop period) except the 2nd semester of the last academic year for graduation.

45. Plagiarism 45 45

46. Plagiarism and Academic Honesty
An academic misdemeanour and is a SERIOUS disciplinary offence
The situation is particularly severe in course assessment involving submission of report / poster / presentation, where students have be caught copying materials in bulk

47. THE FACULTY DOES NOT TOLERATE PLAGIARISM.
COMMITMENT OF PLAGIARISM COULD RESULT IN SEVERE PENALITY AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION INCLUDING REPRIMAND AND DISCONTINUATION.

48. Plagiarism
Details for plagiarism can be found in Faculty of Science homepage
“What is Plagiarism?”
available at

49. When in doubt, talk to your academic adviser/ teacher / tutor
In what situation I would be defined as having committed plagiarism?
One should not say you don’t know……
Copying
Text
Work
Graphics
A mean of violating Academic Honesty
from internet, books, or any forms of information without proper paraphrasing or acknowledgement
When in doubt, talk to your academic adviser/ teacher / tutor

50. Disciplinary Issues
Besides plagiarism, students should be aware of your conduct, behaviour and always uphold your integrity.
NEVER attempt cheating, falsification of documents.
Any disciplinary infringements will be considered by the Disciplinary Committee. Penalty ranges from reprimand to expulsion from University depending on the seriousness of the offense.

51. Progression and Discontinuation
The Faculty stresses the importance of the academic performance of students. Students who do not perform satisfactorily may be recommended for discontinuation of their studies.
For students admitted under the 4-year curriculum:
Sc 5 (h) Candidates shall be recommended for discontinuation of their studies if they have
(i) failed to complete successfully 36 credits or more in two consecutive semesters (not including the summer semester), except where they are not required to take such a number of credits in the given two semesters, or
(ii) failed to achieve an average Semester GPA of 1.0 or higher for the two consecutive semesters (not including the summer semester); or
(iii) exceeded the maximum period of registration specified in Sc3, unless otherwise permitted by the Board of the Faculty.

52. Progression and Discontinuation (Cont’)
G11 Unsatisfactory performance or progress:
A student whose performance at examinations or in coursework or in such class tests as may be held from time to time is unsatisfactory, or in the case of a higher degree student whose progress is unsatisfactory,...may be required by the Senate (a) to discontinue his studies.
Students who are recommended for discontinuation of their studies will be interviewed by the Faculty Review Committee before their cases are considered by the University's Committee on Discontinuation. The Faculty Review Committee normally meets in Jan/Feb and July every year.

53. How does the Faculty contact you?
Mostly by to your HKU account
Students have the responsibility to check your HKU account and take timely action accordingly
Always read the sent by Faculty of Science
Keep the Faculty updated of your contact information (telephone, personal , address) in your SIS account!!!

54. Useful contacts Faculty of Science Office
G/F, Chong Yuet Ming Physics Bldg
Websites
Faculty:
Academic Services Office:
Academic Advising Office:
HKU Worldwide exchange programme:
Telephone

55. Advice and support from the University
Academic Advising Office
Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS)
Counselling & Person Enrichment / Career & Placement / Campus Life / Student Development
University Health Service
Health issues 55 55