Undergraduate Courses 2018-19

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and principles of biological sciences, including chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, genetics and molecular biology, evolution, origin of life, diversity of life forms and their influence on human, structure and life processes in human, and ecology and environment. The inter-relationships between human, environment and society in daily life will be focused.

This course introduces the basic biological principles of human health and diseases with an emphasis on the contemporary leading causes of death in Hong Kong and in the world. Topics mainly focus on common and emergent diseases, aging, and the influence of biotechnology, environment and culture on human health.

This course introduces students to the general concepts of environment, natural resources, and sustainable development. The topics include pressing global, regional and local environmental changes; life-supporting systems of our planet; biodiversity and its conservation; atmosphere, water resources, and their pollutions; solid and hazardous waste management; environmental health and sustainable development. Throughout the course, students will gain a sufficient background and a better understanding of the root-causes of the upfront environmental issues. They will also become more aware of their role, as citizens, in environmental protection and sustainable development.

This course targets science students not having taken HKDSE 1x Biology or AL/AS Biology. It provides students with a general overview of fundamental biology: basic characteristics of life (the chemistry of life, cells), vital life processes (respiration, photosynthesis, genetics), essential concepts of evolution and ecology, and so on.

This course targets science students who have acquired basic knowledge in fundamental biology through HKDSE 1x Biology, AL/AS Biology or LIFS 1901. It functions as a bridging course to prepare the students for further study in life science. Its focus is on human biology, biotechnology and human impacts on the environment. Current examples will be used as well to relate the knowledge to real life issues. Students without the prerequisites but have completed biology course or program at equivalent level may seek instructor’s approval for enrollment.

This is a practical course accompanied by the lecture course LIFS 1901. It provides students with some basic concepts and some hands-on experience in biological investigation within the areas covered by LIFS 1901. The emphasis is on the understanding and application of the scientific principles underlying the experimental designs and procedures.

This is a practical course accompanied by the lecture course LIFS 1902. It provides students with some basic concepts and hands-on experience in biological investigation within the areas covered by LIFS1902, including plant biology, human biology and ecology. The emphasis is on the understanding and application of the scientific principles underlying the experiments.

This is an innovative blended-learning course that comprises both independent e-learning and face-to-face tutorial components. The course covers general and up-to-date topics such as conservation biology and animal forms and functions in the field of Biology, metabolism and cell signaling in Biochemistry, and recombinant DNA, animal and plant biotechnology and bioethics in Biotechnology. For students in their first, second and third year of study; or fourth year students with instructor's approval.

Our current understanding of biochemical reactions and internal organization of a cell was progressively enriched by technological and conceptual breakthroughs in the 20th century. This course will use personal and scientific stories of six prominent scientists to highlight research areas that are still being actively pursued today. Topics to include are DNA and protein biochemistry, physical and chemical methods for biological research, and the use of model organisms.

This one-year course engages students in practical training and enriches their knowledge and skills in interpretive services under ecotourism, identification of wetland species, and nature photography. The students will also have a chance to contribute to the society through environmental education. At the end of the course, students should gain hands-on experience in environmental conservation and improve their skills in communication, problem solving, team work, and time management. For LIFS and ENVS students only. Approval of the course coordinator is needed for students to enroll in this course. Graded PP, P or F.

Structure and function of the cell and sub-cellular organelles; from genes to proteins; membrane and cytoskeleton; cell communication and cell signaling; cell cycle and programmed cell death.

Diversity of life; taxonomy and phylogeny; different kingdoms of living organisms; structure and function; evolution and the generation of biodiversity.

Advancement in science has enabled scientists to modify biological systems for specific purposes. Many of these technologies have been used to improve our daily life and this area of study is commonly referred to as biotechnology. This course is designed to introduce some of the major subjects in this field including the history of biotechnology, ethics in genetic modification and use of animals in experimental studies, molecular foundation of biotechnology, animal biotechnology, plant and agricultural biotechnology, and health-care applications. You will learn how different aspects of biotechnology affect our daily life and have impact on the society.

Structure and life processes in plants; cellular structures; molecular and cellar mechanism; transport of water and nutrients; nutrition and soil; reproduction; photosynthesis; growth and development; biotechnology.

Major classes of biochemical compounds; primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of macromolecules; enzyme kinetics and mechanisms; biosynthesis of DNA and RNA; transfer RNA and protein synthesis.

Principles of bioenergetics and cellular structures; glycolysis, citric acid cycle, electron transport, oxidative phosphorylation and chemiosmosis; carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism; photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation.

Exploration and understanding of both theories and practical techniques in cell biology through tutorials and hands-on experiments. Microscopy, cell culture, cell fractionation; and their applications in studying cell division and gene expression will be covered.

This course is designed to introduce theories and practical techniques used in the current research of plant biology, plant molecular biology and biochemistry to students.

Investigation of the properties of enzymes, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids by physicochemical methods and specific assays; purification and quantitation of biochemical compounds by various biochemical techniques.

Principles of biochemical techniques including spectrophotometry, column chromatography, electrophoresis, metabolite assay, enzyme assay, nucleic acid isolation and protein isolation.

This course aims to broaden students' exposure to a broad range of topics within the biological science discipline. Teaching format and course credits will vary, depending on the subject matters to be covered.

Replication and roles of nucleic acids in cellular and viral systems; genome organization, vector-host systems, expression and regulation of genes; catalytic RNA, genetic code evolution, RNA modification and processing, and anti-sense systems.

Cell structure; the molecular biology of cell signaling and cell cycle control; oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes; the mechanism of cell division; cell junctions and adhesion; cytoskeleton; programmed cell death.

Structure and life processes in animals; neurophysiology; circulation; respiration; digestion and absorption; metabolism and energy regulation; muscle and movement; endocrinology.

Classification, identification, structure, physiology, and genetics of microorganisms; importance of microorganisms in health, environment, and biotechnology.

An introduction to the principles and applications of biophysical techniques, including ultra-centrifugation, electrophoresis, optical and NMR spectroscopies, scattering and diffraction techniques, and radioisotope labeling and detection techniques. Basic concepts of thermodynamics at the cellular level and chemical kinetics.

Practical and theoretical consideration of recombinant DNA techniques, including plasmid construction, PCR, mutagenesis, transformation, sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis. The use of recombinant DNA for protein expression.

Survey of the major marine living organisms; their habitat and community structures; trophic interactions and the marine ecosystem.

Principles and mechanisms of heredity and variation; genetic analysis in pro-and eukaryotic organisms.

Statistical reasoning relevant to biological, medical and agricultural research, statistical analyses and interpretation, statistical techniques applied under various research circumstances.

Basic principles and patterns of ecology; population growth; community interaction; ecosystem; ecosphere.

Lecture component of Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids. Plasmid isolation, gene cloning, restriction mapping; DNA sequencing, and identification of genes and gene products by blotting procedures.

Physiology is an experimental science and laboratory experience is an important part of the discipline. Students will learn laboratory techniques and develop their powers of observation and data recording to test basic physiological principles. Analytical skill will be emphasized in both the tutorial and lab sessions.

Principles of neuroscience with a focus on the systems/neural circuit level. Topics covered will include sensory and motor systems, genetic model organisms, optogenetics, and functional imaging.

Tutorial and practical instruction on cultivation, differentiation, and identification of microorganisms, determination of microbial numbers, sterilization, disinfection, antimicrobials, and the prevalence of microorganisms in the body and environment will be covered.

This is an introductory course for the application of data science in biology and medicine. The course will introduce the fundamental principles on data science, the technologies and implementations of data mining, as well as the modeling of several practical questions in biomedicine. The topics include introduction to biomedical data, data visualization, regression methods and classification methods.

Both laboratory and field investigations will provide the opportunity to apply and adapt the experimental methods developed here to specific groups of marine organisms, diversified marine habitats, and practical issues in marine/environmental science. Tutorial sessions and field trips will be used to enhance student's understanding of the practical work and the theories covered in the lectures.

This course will impart essential skills for communicating science to a lay audience in the laboratory setting. Students will work in groups to devise a mini‐laboratory course for detecting human genetic variants. They will then serve as instructors of the course in outreach workshops for high school students. Approval of the course instructor is needed for students to enroll in this course. For LIFS students only.

The objective of the course is to increase awareness of preparation in research and learn how to synthesize a research proposal. Together with the supervisor each student will identify a research question, do a literature review, familiarize themselves theoretically with technical aspects of the project and write a short proposal. Approval of a faculty supervisor is required for students to enroll in the course. Graded P or F.

The aim of the course is for students to acquire hands-on laboratory experience in conducting a short research project and producing a formal written report. Each student will conduct the bench work for the proposal developed in the prerequisite course LIFS 3510 and hence under the same faculty supervisor as LIFS 3510. Due to the short duration, emphasis is on appreciation of the research process rather than results obtained. Approval of a faculty supervisor is required for students to enroll in the course. Graded P or F.

Special topics in an identified area of life science not covered by existing course. Students may repeat the course for credits if the topics studied are different. Graded letter grade or P/F subject to different offerings.

Cellular, biochemical and genetic basis of immunity; cells in immune response, antigens and antigen recognition; antibodies and the generation of diversity; major histocompatibility complex; cell mediated immune response; regulation of immune response; autoimmunity, tissue transplantation and rejection.

Processes of cellular and tissue differentiation, early and late embryonic development spanning from molecular, cellular, organ to organismal levels; reproduction, fertilization, gastrulation, neurulation, axis formation, body patterning, cellular communication, short and long range signaling, sex determination, aging, environmental influence and evolutionary significance of different regulatory mechanisms.

Fundamentals in the epidemiology, etiology and treatment of cancers; basic mechanisms of carcinogenesis. For LIFS students in their third year (for 3Y degree) or fourth year (for 4Y degree) of study.

Current status and future potential of Biotechnology, with emphasis on the fundamentals of plant molecular biology and biotechnology. Using examples of marketable products from food industry, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and agricultural fields. The role of basic research in the development and production biotechnology products will be described.

Recent advances in the study of cellular structure and function; molecular mechanisms of cell function; cell division and cell cycle; cell-cell signaling; molecular and cellular control in small eukaryotes; control of cell differentiation and morphogenesis.

This course will survey the methods and applications of biotechnology, in the aspect related to animals, microbes, agriculture, human health and environment. The consequences of developments in this area will be examined, with emphasis on the aroused great public interest and the increasing demand for the informed debate. For BIOT students only.

Overview of aquaculture in relation to food production and biotechnology, including problems and prospects. Examples of aquacultured aquatic species and aquaculture biotechnology enterprises. Aquaculture biology and practices: larval rearing, nutritional practices and feeds, reproductive control, application of genetics and genetic manipulations.

Many variations in the human population such as hair thickness, tolerance to milk in adults, high blood cholesterol and susceptibility to certain types of cancer can be determined by genetic factors. This course will cover the principles and up to date technologies for the discovery and analysis of human genetic variation. The application of basic scientific knowledge in a clinical setting will be discussed.

Fundamental concepts of drug action and toxicity; clinically useful agents in central and peripheral disorders; toxicology of drugs and agents that are hazardous to living organisms.

Determination of protein sequences and three-dimensional structures; relationship between structure and function; principles of protein design and engineering; molecular, biochemical and genetic approaches to study protein function and regulation.

The biochemistry of major food ingredients including proteins, oil, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals; functional and nutritional properties will be emphasized.

Frontier knowledge in bioinformatics. From the fundamental data mining, to the advanced topics in evolutionary analysis, protein structure prediction and genomics study. Both basic and applied aspects of bioinformatics will be explored in this course.

Advanced studies of biological macromolecules; functional genomics and proteomics; laboratory techniques in modern biochemistry; milestone discoveries in biochemistry.

Principles and roles of various disciplines in biotechnology, including manipulation of various cell types, gene expression, immunochemistry, protein engineering, downstream processing, cell and enzyme immobilization, and fermentation; case studies in the development and applications of biotechnology.

This course covers the clinical manifestations, physiology, pathophysiology and treatment of common human diseases, with focus on the underlying biochemical basis of the diseases and treatment.

Chromosome biology and epigenetics is an important field highly relevant to human health. This course will cover recent advances in the fields of epigenetics and chromosome biology.

Students will be guided to understand the complexities of biotechnology entrepreneurship with focus on convergence of scientific, technological, regulatory and commercial factors. The course will take a case study approach by interaction with guest speakers who have experience in starting and managing biotechnology companies. Site visits to local company with specialty product development will also be arranged. For BIOT students in their fourth year of study and students with instructor’s consent only.

The course will cover review topics restricted to life sciences. Enrolled students will conduct research project or literature review exercise on a mutually agreed topic under the supervision of a faculty member. For third year LIFS students and visiting interns only. Approval of the course instructor is needed for students to enroll in this course. Graded P or F.

Introduction to the molecular understanding of brain function, building upon the basis of biochemistry and biology. Four specific themes are covered: (i) structural neurochemistry and neural membranes; (ii) synapses, transmitters and receptors; (iii) cellular and (iv) medical and behavioral neurochemistry.

Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will undertake a project, which may involve investigation on topics in an area of Biological Science. The project can be delivered through the format of literature review, research, or practical study. Students are required to submit a written report that documents the project work and learning experiences. For BISC students only. Approval of the course supervisor is needed for students to enroll in this course.

Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will undertake a project, which may involve investigation on topics in the discipline of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. The project can be delivered through the format of literature review, research, or practical study. Students are required to submit a written report that documents the project work and learning experiences. For BCB students only. Approval of the course supervisor is needed for enrollment in the course.

Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will undertake a project, which may involve investigation on topics relevant to biotechnology industry and business. The project can be delivered through the format of literature review, research, or practical study. Students are required to submit a written report that documents the project work and learning experiences. For BIOT students only. Approval of the course supervisor is needed for enrollment in the course.

Project research in one of the Life Science research laboratories under the supervision of a faculty member; report. Students who select to register in LIFS 4970 must also register in LIFS 4980. Approval of the course instructor is needed for students to enroll in this course.

A research project conducted under faculty supervision. Course to include background research, design of experiments and analysis of data. Approval by a faculty supervisor is required to enroll in the course.

A research project conducted either in the Division of Life Science or the Chemistry department under the supervision of a faculty member. This course is for MBMS students only. Students are expected to also register for LIFS 4982. Approval of the course instructor is needed for students to enroll in this course.

Students will undertake a research project of their choice in an area of biotechnology under faculty supervision: design of experiments, analysis of data, submission of a written report. Approval of the course instructor is needed for students to enroll in this course. For BIOT students only.

Project research in one of the Life Science research laboratories under the supervision of a faculty member; report; poster presentation. Approval of the course instructor is needed for students to enroll in this course.

Continuation of research project started in LIFS 4971 and to be conducted under faculty supervisor. To include design of experiments, analysis of data and to be completed with poster presentation and written report.

A research project which may be conducted either in the Division of Life Science or the Chemistry department under the supervision of a faculty member: design of experiments, analysis of data, submission of a written report and seminar or poster presentation. This course is for MBMS students only. Approval of the course instructor is needed for students to enroll in this course.

Continuation of LIFS 4973. Students will undertake a research project of their choice in an area of biotechnology under faculty supervision: design of experiments, analysis of data, submission of a written report and poster presentation of research results. Approval of the course instructor is needed for students to enroll in this course. For BIOT students only.