Master of Philosophy in Marine Environmental Science
Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Environmental Science
MPhil(MES)
PhD(MES)
Both full- and part-time
MPhil
Full-time: 2 years
Part-time: 4 years
PhD
Full-time: 3 years (with a relevant research master’s degree), 4 years (without a relevant research master’s degree)
Part-time: 6 years
PG Programs Coordinator:
Prof Qinglu ZENG, Associate Professor of Ocean Science
The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Program aims to train students to conduct independent research in Marine Environmental Science. A candidate for an MPhil degree is expected to demonstrate knowledge in the discipline and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making a contribution to the field.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program seeks to train students in original research in Marine Environmental Science and to cultivate independent and innovative thinking that is essential for a successful research career in environmental science. A candidate for a PhD degree is expected to demonstrate mastery of knowledge in the chosen discipline and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making an original and substantial contribution to the discipline.
SML-Zhuhai and HKUST Joint PhD Training Program in Marine Environmental Science
The Joint PhD Training program aims to train students in original research in marine environmental science, and independent and innovative thinking that is essential for a successful research career. In particular, the collaborative effort provides students with opportunities to benefit from the research excellence shared between HKUST and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai) (SML-Zhuhai), as well as to cultivate outstanding science and technology talents to build a sustainable economy in China.
GML-HKUST Joint PhD Training Program in Marine Environmental Science
The Joint PhD Training program aims to train students in original research in marine environmental science, and independent and innovative thinking that is essential for a successful research career. In particular, the collaborative effort provides students with opportunities to benefit from the research excellence shared between HKUST and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou) , as well as to cultivate outstanding science and technology talents to build a sustainable economy in China.
On successful completion of the MPhil program, graduates will be able to:
- Understand the fundamentals of ocean science;
- Understand current research in one subfield of ocean science ;
- Perform laboratory, theoretical, and/or computational techniques necessary to conduct research in a subdiscipline of ocean science;
- Demonstrate the potential to conduct an independent research project;
- Communicate concepts and research results related to ocean science with peers; and
- Understand the importance of ethical conduct in scientific research.
On successful completion of the PhD program, graduates will be able to:
- Understand the literatures and research methods/techniques applicable to ocean science;
- Evaluate current research in one or more subdisciplines of ocean science relevant to a selected research specialty;
- Demonstrate mastery of laboratory, theoretical, and/or computational skills necessary to contribute to knowledge in a subdiscipline of ocean science;
- Propose, plan and conduct a scientifically robust research project related to oceanic systems; and apply appropriate methods for analysing and interpreting experimental/observational/modelling data;
- Communicate scientific ideas and results clearly and effectively with peers (both in writing and verbally); and
- Understand complex issues in ethical scientific conduct.
The Department emphasizes on building multi and cross-disciplinary research and educational programs in Ocean Science and Technology. Our primary study sites include the estuarine environment of the Pearl River, the coastal bays of Hong Kong, and the deep sea (including the South China Sea).
Research Foci
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Marine Ecology
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Oceanography
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Ocean Technology
Facilities
The Ocean Research Facility on campus is a key item of infrastructure supporting our marine researches, while the Environmental Central Facility provides a range of equipment and technology commonly used in water and atmospheric environmental research.
Ocean Research Facility
The Ocean Research Facility is located on the seafront at HKUST, with a total area of about 1,200 sq. meters. The lower floor houses an excellent natural running seawater facility, together with two fully equipped wet laboratories and two well-designed environmentally controlled rooms. The upper floor is a dry laboratory area, compartmentalized into a multipurpose research laboratory, a molecular biology laboratory, an analytical laboratory, a microscope room, a radioisotope laboratory and a multifunction room.
Environmental Central Facility
The Environmental Central Facility provides common analytical instruments for environmental chemical analysis laboratory service (e.g., GC-MS, LC-MS, TOC, UV-Vis, etc) and real-time meteorological and environmental database service. It also offers field and technical support for environmental research projects.
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Minimum Credit Requirement
MPhil: 11 credits
PhD: 16 credits
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Core Courses
All students must complete a minimum of 6 credits from the following core courses:
Students can fulfill the program minimum credit requirement by taking more than two core courses or taking the elective courses.
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Elective Courses
Elective courses can be taken from:
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The following pre-endorsed elective courses, and/or
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Approved postgraduate courses subject to endorsement by the PG Coordinator. Only a maximum of 3 credits from this category can be counted towards the credit requirement.
Pre-endorsed Elective Courses:
- Graduate Teaching Assistant Training
All full-time RPg students are required to complete PDEV 6800. The course is composed of a 10-hour training offered by the Center for Education Innovation (CEI), and session(s) of instructional delivery to be assigned by the respective departments. Upon satisfactory completion of the training conducted by CEI, MPhil students are required to give at least one 30-minute session of instructional delivery in front of a group of students for one term. PhD students are required to give at least one such session each in two different terms. The instructional delivery will be formally assessed.
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Professional Development Course Requirement
Students are required to complete PDEV 6770. The 1 credit earned from PDEV 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed PDEV 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking PDEV 6770, subject to prior approval of the School.
Students are required to complete OCES 6770. The 1 credit earned from OCES 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates in Marine Environmental Science and have completed CHEM 6770 Professional Development in Science (Chemistry), LIFS 6770 Professional Development in Science (Life Science), MATH 6770 Professional Development in Science (Mathematics), PHYS 6770 Professional Development in Science (Physics) or ENVS 6770 Professional Development in Science (Environmental Science Programs) before may be exempted from taking OCES 6770, subject to prior approval of the Department Head or PG Coordinator.
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English Language Requirement
Full-time RPg students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Speaking Test administered by the Center for Language Education before the start of their first term of study. Students whose ELPA Speaking Test score is below Level 4, or who failed to take the test in their first term of study, are required to take LANG 5000 until they pass the course by attaining at least Level 4 in the ELPA Speaking Test before graduation. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5000 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
Students are required to complete LANG 5005 and advised to complete it in the first year of study. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5005 cannot be counted toward the program credit requirements. PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates may be considered for exemption from this course, subject to the approval of their department.
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Postgraduate Seminar
MPhil: 2 credits
PhD: 4 credits
Students are required to complete OCES 6011 whenever it is offered. The maximum number of credits to be earned from this course is 2 for MPhil students and 4 for PhD students. PhD students who have taken the HKUST MPhil Program in Marine Environmental Science will be granted credit transfer from OCES 6011 to the PhD program up to 1 credit.
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PhD Qualifying Examination
PhD students are required to submit a thesis proposal to the Qualifying Examination Committee who will examine the students’ general background knowledge and knowledge related to the topic of the research proposal. They must pass the qualifying examination.
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Thesis Research
MPhil:
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Registration in OCES 6990; and
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Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.
PhD:
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Registration in OCES 7990; and
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Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.
Last update: 1 June 2023
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification;
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Applicants seeking admission to a doctoral degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree with a proven record of outstanding performance from a recognized institution; or presented evidence of satisfactory work at the postgraduate level on a full-time basis for at least one year, or on a part-time basis for at least two years.
Applicants have to fulfill English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:
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TOEFL-iBT: 80 *
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TOEFL-pBT: 550
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TOEFL-Revised paper-delivered test: 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections)
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IELTS (Academic Module): Overall score: 6.5 and All sub-score: 5.5 *
* Refers to scores in one single attempt only. Test at home option is not accepted.
Applicants are not required to present TOEFL or IELTS score if
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their first language is English, or
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they obtained the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.
Apply online before the application deadlines.
HK$180
For Hong Kong PhD Fellowship (HKPFS) Application (for PhD studies only):
Step 1 deadline at RGC (to obtain an HKPFS reference no. from RGC):
1 Dec 2024 (12noon, GMT+8)
Step 2 deadline at HKUST:
1 Dec 2024 (11:59pm, GMT+8)
Details please refer to https://fytgs.hkust.edu.hk/hkpfs
For 2025/26 Fall Term Intake (commencing in Sep 2025):
Non-local Applicants*
Full-time: 1 Jun 2025
Local Applicants
Full-time: 15 Jul 2025
Part-time: 15 Jul 2025
For 2024/25 Spring Term Intake (commencing in Feb 2025):
Non-local Applicants*
Full-time: 1 Nov 2024
Local Applicants
Full-time: 15 Dec 2024
Part-time: 15 Dec 2024
* Applicants are considered as non-local students if they hold (i) student visa/ entry permit; or (ii) visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); or (iii) dependent visa/entry permit who were 18 years old or above when they were issued with such visa/ entry permit by the Director of Immigration. For details on student visa/ entry permit requirements, please click here.
