Undergraduate Courses 2023-24

Undergraduate courses marked with [EXP] may adopt the approach of experiential learning subject to different offerings. Students should check the delivery mode of the class section before registration.

• SCIE 1000

  Science School Induction

  0 Credit(s)
  Description

  This is a one-year course designed for year 1 science students. It provides induction activities to help students adapt to university life, and to understand the program structure of the school and the meaning of university education. Led by faculties, staffs, and peers, students will learn and practice skills such as teamwork, communication, time management, and goal setting. Graded P or F.
• SCIE 1010

  Enrichment Project

  0-3 Credit(s)
  Description

  For Science students only. This course aims to provide complementary educational experience to students outside normal academic curriculum through engagements in internship or outside-classroom project activities related to his/her own discipline. Students enrolled would work under the supervision of a faculty member and are required to submit a report by the end of the semester, in addition to other criteria set by his/her supervisor. Course coordinator's approval is required for taking the course. 1 credit is normally assigned for 40 hours of work. Graded P or F. May be graded PP. May be repeated for credits if different topics are taken.
• SCIE 1030

  Special Topics

  1-4 Credit(s)
  Description

  Selected topics in Science. May be repeated for credit, if different topics taken. May be graded by letter or DI/PA/F for different offerings.
• SCIE 1080

  Development and Management on Science Activities

  1-2 Credit(s)
  Description

  For Science students only. Under the supervision of a faculty member, students are given an opportunity to apply scientific knowledge and experimental skills, through developing 6 to 12 hours Science courses/ workshops/activities for primary/secondary school students, and drafting the operation procedures. They would also be able to polish their skills in aspects like resource and manpower management, team building, etc. Course instructor's approval is required for taking the course. Maybe graded PP.
• SCIE 1090

  Community Services Project

  1-4 Credit(s)
  Description

  The course is offered in a form of a community project at a designated non-governmental organization (NGO) under the supervision of the School. Students are required to attend all the training sessions, design and implement the service project / participate in the service learning tasks as instructed by the host NGO and/or the course instructors. By the end of the course, students have to submit a reflective statement in the format of a paper, a group project report or a presentation to demonstrate the attainment of all intended learning outcomes, in addition to other requirements of the relevant NGO as appropriate. Approval from the course coordinator is needed prior to enrolling in the course. Graded PP, P or F. Students may repeat the course for credits if different topics are taken.
• SCIE 1100

  Career Building for Science Students

  1 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  GNED 2510, GNED 2520

  Description

  For Science students only. Co-offered by the School of Science and the Career Center (Dean of Students' Office), this course helps students in exploring careers within the arena of Science and beyond. To achieve this, it guides students to have basic understanding of the career planning process, the current job market and employers' expectation in different fields. This course also equips students with practical job application skills, such as the skills for resume writing, aptitude tests, interviews, group discussions, etc. Experiential learning opportunities and individual feedback will be provided to actively engage students in the learning process. Graded DI, PA or F.
• SCIE 1102

  Designing Your Life for Science Students

  1 Credit(s)
  Mode of Delivery

  [EXP] Experiential learning

  Description

  Originated from Stanford University’s Life Design Lab (Bill Burnett and Dave Evans), this course employs a method called “design thinking” to help students from any program develop a constructive and effective approach to finding and designing their vocation after university. Through small group discussions, in-class activities, personal reflections and individual coaching, this course teaches students to use design thinking to explore many of life’s major challenges, such as pursuing careers they love and finding personal fulfillment. Topics include the integration of work and worldviews, ideation techniques, a portfolio approach to thriving, designing to increase balance and energy and how to prototype all aspects of your life. We also touch on the realities of engaging the workplace, and practices that support vocation formation throughout your life. The capstone assignment is the creation of an “Odyssey Plan” focusing on taking actions in the 3-5 years following your HKUST graduation. For Science students only. Graded P or F.
• SCIE 1110

  Great Ideas in Science

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  The course is designed for students with no science background. Using historical great breakthroughs in science and mathematics as examples, the course intends to inspire students to appreciate scientific approaches and develop a genuine appreciation towards human curiosity in the understanding of the world and the power of ingenuity observation to overcome ignorance. The course is composed of 4 modules covering topics in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. Examples of topics include geometry, quantum physics, forensic chemistry and theory of evolution. In addition, the course develops students' sense of enquiry thinking and foundation of scientific methods through various active learning processes.
• SCIE 1120

  Chemistry and Life

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  a passing letter grade in LANG 1401 OR LANG 1402 OR LANG 1403 OR LANG 1404 OR LANG 1002 (prior to 2022-23)

  Exclusion(s)

  Any 2000-level or above courses in CHEM, LIFS, CENG, BIEN

  Description

  The course aims to introduce students without an extensive science background into the chemistry of life and in life as well as some elementary units and mechanisms of life shaped by core chemical molecules and other compounds. Co-taught by lecturers from chemistry and life science, respectively, approximately one half of the course deals with an introduction into the chemical universe that makes life possible; simple sugars and complex carbohydrates, amino acids, peptides and proteins, DNA, RNA and lipids. Interactions and laws governing these substances and ways we can observe what they are doing are covered. The other half of the course is about how these compounds are involved in some of the basic mechanisms of life; from the functions and evolution of membranes to cells all the way up to humans and other organisms; areas covered include genetics and genomics, diseases, food and health, and biotechnology.
• SCIE 1130

  Scientific Understanding of Our World

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course aims to provide students an overall scientific understanding of our world. This course will deal with fundamental questions, such as: Where does this universe come from? What is the origin of matter? What is the origin of life? What guides the human behavior? What shapes the development of the human society? What will be the future of this world? Students are expected to have Science background. Graded DI/PA/F.
• SCIE 1500

  Guided Study on Research I

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  Studies under the directed guidance of a faculty member on a life science / chemistry / environmental science / mathematics / physics topic which serves as the first step in exploring and being exposed to knowledge of different disciplines and fields to build a foundation of interdisciplinary knowledge. An individual general written report and/or presentations of exploratory nature on self-discovery of future directions of research and/or various disciplines by young scientists are required. For IRE students only. Non-IRE students may enroll in the course upon instructor's approval only.
• SCIE 2500

  Guided Study on Research II

  1 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  SCIE 1500

  Description

  Studies under the directed supervision of a faculty member on a life science / chemistry / environmental science / mathematics / physics topic which serves as the first step in equipping the students with hands-on experience in supervised independent study. An individual written report and/or presentations on a chosen topic are required. For IRE students only.
• SCIE 3110

  Teaching Science Using Innovative Teaching Tools

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  Level 4 or above in HKDSE (1x Physics OR 1x Chemistry OR Mathematics M1/M2 )

  Mode of Delivery

  [EXP] Experiential learning

  Description

  This course presents a unique opportunity for students to experience the process of preparing learning activities in contrast to being taught. The experiential program will provide a preview to potential students who wish to pursue a teaching career. Students will develop teaching tools for secondary school students under the guidance of instructors. They will participate in organizing a science camp in which they will deliver their teaching tools through innovative learning activities such as analyzing movie clips using the knowledge of science. The experiential course also serves to strengthen students' concepts in science, and improves their organization and presentation skills which are important in future success. Instructor's consent is required for enrollment.
• SCIE 3500

  IRE Research Project I

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  (for IRE students in LIFS, MATH, PHYS and OST) SCIE 2500; (for IRE students in CHEM) SCIE 2500 AND CHEM 3550

  Corequisite(s)

  (for IRE students in LIFS) LIFS 3110

  Description

  This course is a one-term research project course specially designed for students in the IRE track. Together with SCIE 4500, these two courses comprise of two terms of research experience on a non-textbook specialized topic under the supervision of a faculty member, aiming to equip students with hands-on laboratory experience or independent studies and doing research reports. The course also aims at training students’ research communication and collaboration skills through discussion on their research topics and presentation of findings to peers and faculty members in different disciplines / areas of research. For IRE students only.
• SCIE 3900

  International Research Experience

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  SCIE 1500 AND (SCIE 3500 OR PHYS 3090)

  Corequisite(s)

  LANG 3027

  Description

  Research project under the direct supervision of a local faculty member and a co-supervising foreign faculty member in a foreign institution/national laboratory, which aims to guide students to explore advanced cutting-edge research opportunities with international visions and hands-on experience. Assessments comprise an individual written report and a presentation on a chosen topic. For IRE students only. Graded DI, PA or F.
• SCIE 4500

  IRE Research Project II

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  SCIE 3500

  Description

  This course is a one-term research project course specially designed for students in the IRE track. Together with SCIE 3500, these two courses comprise of two terms of research experience on a non-textbook specialized topic under the supervision of a faculty member, aiming to equip students with hands-on laboratory experience or independent studies and doing research reports. The course also aims at training students’ research communication and collaboration skills through discussion on their research topics and presentation of findings to peers and faculty members in different disciplines / areas of research. For IRE students only.
• SCIE 4860

  Young Entrepreneurial Syndicate in Applied Sciences Project

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  In this course, students will team up to work on entrepreneurial projects under the guidance of faculty and/or mentors from industry. Each team will be assessed based on their engagement and preparation of a business proposal, which includes background and market research, product design and / or technology development, financing and operation plans. Outstanding teams may be supported to join various entrepreneurship competitions. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course.