Postgraduate Courses
ENVS
Environmental Science
Courses marked with a [C] in the course description are not taught in Chinese but may require students to read materials in Chinese. Students who have difficulty reading materials in Chinese should consult the instructor concerned prior to enrolling in these courses. For undergraduate courses, alternative English reading materials may be provided.
- ENVS 5111Environmental Health and Safety[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course identifies the potential health and safety hazards in the environment. It also emphasizes on the importance of environmental health and safety (EHS) for moral, legal and financial reasons. EHS systems as well as legislation and public organizations in Hong Kong, China and overseas will also be discussed and compared.
- ENVS 5112Environmental Hazards Identification[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course aims to provide in-depth knowledge on the potential effects of environmental hazards on the abiotic and biotic environment through various routes and does of exposure. Current approaches of managing chemical, biological, physical and mechanical hazards in the environment will be addressed.
- ENVS 5113Marine Ecotoxicology[3-0-0:3]Exclusion(s)LIFS 5320DescriptionThis course introduces the impacts and toxic effects of environmental pollutants on growth, morphology and species richness of marine organisms with emphasis at the population, community and ecosystem level. Concepts and methods to assess the impacts of toxicants in marine organisms and environment will also be discussed.
- ENVS 5114Environmental Diseases and Microbiology[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course aims to study microorganisms in the natural environment and their potential impacts on human beings. Pesticides, chemicals, radiation, air and water pollution are the manmade hazards that are believed to contribute to human illness. Microorganisms or environmental agents cause airborne and waterborne infectious diseases as well as microbial biodegradation of pollutants will also be discussed.
- ENVS 5115Food Safety Control[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course provides up-to-date technology, and industrial practices on food safety control. Several international food standards and food safety management systems (e.g. ISO 22000, HACCP), as well as changes in food safety legislation which coupled with a number of high profile food safety issues will be discussed.
- ENVS 5116Case Studies in Environmental Risk Assessment[3-0-0:3]Exclusion(s)EVSM 6070DescriptionThis course introduces the general principles, processes and methodologies of ERA in different developmental projects locally and globally. Specific socio-economic impacts, environmental law and policy, as well as problems and constraints of ERA implementation will also be discussed and compared through various case studies from developed and developing countries.
- ENVS 5117Pharmacology, Toxicology and Health[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course offers new perspectives of environmental pharmacology: gene-environment interaction, drug-environment interaction and toxin-environment interaction. It particularly emphasizes on the harmful or toxic effects of drugs on human health and environment as modern pharmaceutical products may place the public at risk through destruction of species and pollution of drinking water supply. Epidemiological and health risk assessment issues in relation to environmental health will also be covered.
- ENVS 5118Conservation and Sustainable Development[3-0-0:3]Exclusion(s)LIFS 5300 (prior to 2013-14)DescriptionThis course aims to address the importance of different elements and practices in conserving our biodiversity. It also introduces the concept of sustainable development to meet the future needs and balance the objectives between society, economy and environment. It explores ways of finding solutions to the challenges through the promotion of sustainable development.
- ENVS 5119Pollution Monitoring and Control[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course introduces environmental consequences of air, water and noise pollution. It also considers theoretical and practical aspects of the design and execution of pollution monitoring programmes. Major issues related to pollution control, such as pollution types and sources, technological aspects of pollution control, and pollution-related legislation and regulations will be discussed.
- ENVS 5120Occupational Health and Safety[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course will cover the recognition, evaluation and control of various physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic hazards encountered in the occupational environment. Emphases will focus on the nature and impact of these hazards, assessment methods and corresponding control measures to ensure protection of workers' health and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- ENVS 6011Postgraduate Seminar[1 credit]DescriptionAdvanced seminar series presented by postgraduate students, faculty and guest speakers on selected topics in atmospheric environmental science or marine environmental science offered in Fall/Spring terms. This course may be repeated for credit. Graded P or F.
- ENVS 6012Special Topics in Environmental Science[1-6 credit(s)]Exclusion(s)ENVR 6020 (prior to 2014-15), ENVR 6030 (prior to 2014-15)DescriptionOfferings are announced each term. Typical topics in atmospheric environmental science are pollutant transfer in the atmosphere, aerosol chemistry, air quality in Hong Kong, atmospheric modeling, and air-sea interactions. Typical topics in marine environmental science include eutrophication, global warming, biodiversity and conservation, microbial ecology, environmental law, and pollutants in the ocean.
- ENVS 6111Environmental Health Research Project[3 or 6 credits]DescriptionThis course enables students to conduct an independent project in selected areas of environmental health and safety under the supervision of one or more Faculty members. Students shall consult the list of topics provided by the Faculty members and choose to conduct a literature review-based or lab work-based project. A project carrying 3 credits will take place over one regular term. A lab work-based project carrying 6 credits will take place over two consecutive regular terms, and the permitted to proceed (PP) grade will be issued at the end of the first term. Students are required to submit written reports of their works and present the major findings in a symposium attended by peers and faculty members. This course is for MSc students only. Approval from course instructor is required. The course may be repeated for credits.
- ENVS 6770Professional Development in Science (Environmental Science Programs)[0-2-0:2]DescriptionThis two-credit course aims at providing research postgraduate students basic training in ethics, teaching skills, research management, career development, and related professional skills. This course lasts for one year, and is composed of two parts, each consisting of a number of mini-workshops. Part 1 of the course is coordinated by the School; and Part 2 consists of some ENVS department-specific workshops which are coordinated by the ENVS programs. Graded PP, P or F.
- ENVS 6990MPhil Thesis ResearchDescriptionMaster's thesis research supervised by a faculty member. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
- ENVS 7990Doctoral Thesis ResearchDescriptionOriginal and independent doctoral thesis research. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
